Dating after divorce????

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Sillychick723

Guest
#21
They have a daily devotional by e-mail which goes through the issues. You can sign up at their web site.
Thank you for letting me know about the devotionals. I just signed up yesterday & they're a big help.
 

Born_Again

Senior Member
Nov 15, 2014
1,583
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#25
Why wait? Just dive right into your next emotion driven mistake! :D
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
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#26
OK, I will be the only one with very different opinion.

I think a divorced woman should not be dating at all.

"And he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.
The disciples said to him, 'If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.'"


Matthew 19:9-10
 
Mar 26, 2016
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#27
I agree with what most people are saying - focus on you and God. I think if you are praying about it, you'll feel at peace with it when God shows you the time is right. There is another piece of advice wise counsel had shared with me that stuck with me. I have 2 daughters so he told me to think about how I would pray for them when they are old enough to be in a relationship. I would pray for them to look for certain qualities in the person, I would pray that they take their time and not rush into something, I would pray that they don't make compromises on certain issues, etc. He then said all of those things I would pray for my daughters, I should pray for myself. In other words, I shouldn't rush into a relationship, I shouldn't make certain compromises, etc.
 

SparkleEyes

Senior Member
Mar 23, 2013
771
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#28
I had originally decided to wait about 3 years more or less since my ex-husband had left. Some of my friends thought it was crazy but I figured since it was 13 years we were together, 3 years to work on me was a good starting point. I appreciate your sound advice. I'm about a year and a half into this thing (it's been only a couple of weeks since the divorce was final) and I'm actually feeling really good. I'm keeping busy. I'll see how I feel a year from now.
DivorceCare is a program that was created in a church in North Carolina several decades ago. It is a layperson counseling program that lasts 13 weeks. Many churches around the country run this program. Participants have a workbook and attend 13 2 hour sessions that deal with the emotions that come with separation and divorce. It is a great way to work through the feelings that accompany divorce - I highly recommend it if you are currently going thru a divorce or are approx 3 years out of the divorce because many times, the emotions are still raw. If you don;t work through the emotions and the issues, you will repeat them in any other close relationship. '

Now to my point - DivorceCare recommends 1 year of NOT dating for every 4 years of marriage. That time shoudl be spent in christian counseling (NOT meeting regularly with your pastor, sorry) if needed and spending some purposeful and deep time working on the issues that YOU brought to the relationship and any issues that happened while you were in the marriage. Spend lots of quality time with God and healthy human beings. Don't isolate. Read some books on co-dependency, abuse, anger...whatever things were part of your dysfunctional marriage.

God Bless!! :cool:
 
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Yahweh_is_gracious

Guest
#30
I've known some people who were dating during their marriage, so by the time they divorced, they never had to hit the ground. They just swung from one branch to the next, like a monkey.

A cracked-out spider monkey. With a chainsaw.
 
May 25, 2015
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#31
How long should someone wait before dating again after a divorce is final? When is the right time? :confused:Are there rules to this? Any advice is much appreciated.
I don't believe there are concrete rules in this.

However, divorce still hurts. For exaple, I work with a child who's parents went through a nasty divorce. They don't even talk to each other, and when they drop their child off at each other' houses, they say no word and just give her to them. They can't stand each other.

The mother has been opening up to me lately and just recently told me how much she's hurt because her ex is now engaged. This is coming from a couple that do not like each other.

However, even in their dislike, they did share a child together as well as some of their life together. It still hurts somewhat, even if they may seem happy about it. I'm not saying they are completely heartbroken over it, but I do believe there is some hurt that attaches itself to divorce.

With that being said, I do think it's healthy to try to find time to heal from the occurrence of divorce. So, no, there is not a time stamp on when you can start dating after a divorce, but it is important to find healing. When you are recently divorced, you're so used to being with someone you begin to feel vulnerable and want to start dating so you don't have to be alone. This is normal, but it is also dangerous.

I think taking some time after a divorce is beneficial.
 

BruceWayne

Senior Member
Aug 7, 2013
3,694
357
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Gotham City
#32
I would say whenever you want/feel like it. Unless someone has kids, then they need to make sure that they're ready for that kind of thing.
 
M

Man4TheWord

Guest
#33
How long was it before God felt it wasn't good for man to be alone? God didn't design most men to be alone. And men that don't sin with pornography, and fornication are rarely content being single. I would say this in today's modern world if the man or woman doesn't have a strong foundation in scripture and also in viewing marriage as a covenant made between the man, the woman, and the Creator, then forget that person. Move on, unless you're already married...then you have a different call and ministry according to scripture.
 
N

NatureFanatic79

Guest
#34
The only way to truly be yourself is to be alone.
This is literally the best thing I've read all week. How true. I need to put this on my fridge. So whenever I go in it, which feels like all the time this week, I'm reminded of this.

My husband is dating while we are separated, so there's that. He didn't wait very long. Or at all, since he was with her while we were/are married.

I digress. I will be waiting. He moved out 7 months ago, we are filing in under 2 weeks. And I won't be ready for quite some time. In the past 7 months, I've enjoyed being alone. I've discovered me. I've discovered new hobbies. I've created new things I've semi learned how to draw. A little. I took up coloring. I latch hook. I journal. I paint. I sit in a chair for 2 hours and read. I'm finding my creative outlet and it's amazing!! I can sit and be my introverted self for HOURS and I'm never bored or lonely. I'm enjoying "me" for the first time... ever. And I have no desire to change it. I'm focusing on this. Raising my daughter. And I'm focusing on God. He knows my life. He knows my path. He's not done with me. But it's on His time. Not mine. And if and when I'm supposed to meet someone in the far future, I think i'll find him. I'm not going to actively search. So if it's meant to be in His eyes, it will happen. I just don't think anyone can put a time frame on readiness. We are ALL ready to date at different times- some of us at a quicker pace, some of us never ever. No way is a "wrong" way, it's all relative and personal. I think it also depends on the divorce and the situation around it. If it was messy or amicable. The reasons for it happening. The pain it caused. Each situation is different and no one can say what's right or wrong.
 
Nov 11, 2016
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#36
Do mail order bridereally exist?

The answer is Yes,and No, it really depends on your definition of mail order brides.

The historical rootsof the mail-order bride industry that emerged in the 1800s in the Americanfrontier: European American men found financial success in the migrationWest, but the one thing that was missing was the company of a wife. Very few womenlived there at this time, so it was hard for these men to settle down and starta family. They attempted to attract women living back East; the men wroteletters to churches and published personal advertisements in magazines andnewspapers. In return, the women would write to the men and send themphotographs of themselves. Courtship was conducted by letter, until a womanagreed to marry a man she had never met.[9] Many women wanted to escape theirpresent way of living, gain financial security and see what life on thefrontier could offer them. Most of these women were single, but some werewidows, divorcees or runaways.

During most of the20 century, the mail order bride continued with the main method ofwomen putting themselves in catalogs. Then men would view the women's profile,then for a fee order the women address. These became the main order bride companiesbusiness method in the 20 the century, with the fall of the Soviet union andcheap airfares, these companies spread from Asian to Eastern Europe, mainly now the Ukraine

Today most women donot leave their countries to escape poverty but to seek a man they believe willbe a good husband and provider, that is family orientated and that looksat women with more respect than in many countries around the world.

With the advent of the intent, the mail order bride industryboomed into a billion dollar industry, Now with a few pictures andwebsite, anyone could be in the mail order bride business. Withhundreds of ma and pop shops opening over the last two decade, Most who wereclients of one of the three original mail order bride companies, AForeign Affair (AFA), Anastasia and EC, The owner ofForeignLadies.com met his wife while working on a tour from **advertising link removed** A Foreign affair still todayin the largest in the industry, each week they offer tours to one of a dozencountries China to Peru and everywhere in between. Theindustry grew so fast in 1998, Senator Cantwell of Washington state introduces legislation to regulate the mail order bride industry. and anew law Called: "International Marriage Brokers Act" orIMBRA was born. With stiff regulations, many companies like Anastasia movedfrom Bride business to Fantasy Chat.


Although the industry strongly objects to the term mail orderbrides, saying there is no difference if man inNew York courting a woman from California through**advertising link removed** then courting a womanfrom Russia. Critics like the Terra Justice Center has a differentout look, saying these men take advantage of women oversea. But studies havecontradicted these statement and show abuse is actually lower in thesemarriages. See "International Marriages - A Report to Congress"

So why do thousandsof women join these site: Elena Kosalova of the Ukraine says, "Menhere are not serious about family, they expect women to stay home whilethey go out each night with their friends and drink. I want a man whos serious, mature and who wants to be with his wife and family. I havemet Americans in the past and they seem more reliable and mature." Elena rejects the idea she is a "Mail Order Bride"

Why do menseek a mail order bride: James Goodwin, 43 of South Carolina says," I meet women here all the time, but I just can not find the valuesI am looking for.. I have dated here for more than 20 years, After threedays in Kiev, I was shock at how many beautiful women I met that I wouldconsider marrying, now I am just trying to reduce my options and pick theright one. It truly is the fastest way to find a beautiful sincere women.

So what is the cost, the cost can range greatly from site tosite and from type of service, AFA or **advertising link removed** offers everythingfrom letter writing, tours and executive services for the rich and famous. Aslittle as $12 to as much as $25,000. The owner John Adams say's the bestway is just go over and meet then women, avoid letters and never waste money onexpensive chat. You can meet up to 1000 beautiful women in just 10 days,it will be the greatest vacation of your life. Joe Nail of**advertising link removed** ,has stayed with the traditional Letter Writing, Each letter is $7.50and but say they do plan on offer some limited chat option.

Many sites like,**advertising link removed** ,**advertising link removed** and **advertising link removed**, that offer simple unlimited membership for $29per month. These type of site also target pacific regions, like Asia, LatinAmerica or Eastern Europe.

There is alsoa site for mail order grooms;**advertising link removed** , that caters to menpublishing their photos in hopes to meet an American Bride.

James Dunn, who is aghost writer for review sites says "You get what you payfor. Membership sites to do not screen the members at all. so you neverknow who you really are writing, The big boys require the women toapply in person in one of their local offices. The companies that offergroup tours will introduce you to hundreds of beautiful women, for thecost of $1000 to $3000 depending on location, about the same you would pay forany vacation. Several companies also do individual tours these canrange from $750 to $1500, But only arrange one to one introductions, Always make sure they are biased in the USA or EU, Most of thecomplaints come from small agencies that are desperate and need to makeas much as they can from you. Just a note, if the company is based in ana foreign country you will have no recourse if they do notfollow through.


So do mailorder brides exist, If you belive a if a woman is a mailorder bride if she lives in another county then Yes, But if youbelieve it just another dating option like any on-line dating site,matchmaker or dating service, than No. . It really seems like a doubledstandard in the world, If a women meets a man in Italy or France, then oh that is so romantic, but if a man meets a women in Philippines, than...
 
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laughingheart

Senior Member
Sep 21, 2016
1,709
1,668
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#38
Unfortunately there are no rules, no "right time" because grief is personal. Your situation is individual to you and only you will know what is right for you. There is no one to tell you what to do or when you will be OK.
For me I was so devastated. I felt like I was drowning and desperately needed someone to hold on to, or at least felt that way. I was gutted and there is no manual on doing it the right way. I just wanted to know when it would be over. Thankfully I asked that question to a leader in a Divorce care class. He looked at me and said "Don't kid yourself. This leaves scars. They don't go away." I realized that you adjust to them but there is no other side. This is the new normal. I was shocked but it was the best thing I was ever told. You don't get over it. You make peace. My motto became "My life didn't turn out the way I expected and that is OK." (I didn't write it but I get it.) It is now seven years since he left and five since the divorce. This week I auditioned for a TV show, a music video and a indie film. I volunteer, meet with friends and am taking a comedy workshop to work on my stand up. Your life is yours now for better or worse. You will be braver than you thought. You will hurt and you will flourish. Good luck, Deb
 

laughingheart

Senior Member
Sep 21, 2016
1,709
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#39
That works if that is what that passage meant but it doesn't. I wrestled with that one because I wanted to live a biblically based life. I decided that if your interpretation was correct then I wouldn't date. Here is what I learned. It used to be that a man could divorce his wife for whatever reason he wanted by saying I divorce you three times. He could not remarry her unless she had first been married to another man who then divorced her and then was available for remarriage. What was being addressed was this practice. These men felt that they were godly while treating women in this way. They felt their actions were correct. When he was saying that this was a morally corrupt practice and the handing around of women in this way was turning them into adultresses against their will. The woman had no choice. The men were exposed for their selfish and immoral behaviour cloaked in the letter of the law, so to speak. So the verse that talks about a man committing adultery if he takes up with such a woman, means that if he marries her and uses her for just a time so that he can divorce her to return her to her first husband, is an adulterer. He is part of the use and abuse of this woman.
On my travels in Turkey I saw this lived out and understood it for the first time. My husband cheated and left. He has remarried and I have no guilt before God if I chose at some point to remarry. I know my heavenly father and he does not condemn me for the actions of another person.

OK, I will be the only one with very different opinion.

I think a divorced woman should not be dating at all.

"And he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.
The disciples said to him, 'If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.'"


Matthew 19:9-10
 
I

InHisHands

Guest
#40
jHe looked at me and said "Don't kid yourself. This leaves scars. They don't go away." I realized that you adjust to them but there is no other side. This is the new normal. I was shocked but it was the best thing I was ever told. You don't get over it. You make peace. My motto became "My life didn't turn out the way I expected and that is OK." (I didn't write it but I get it.)


This is so true.

There will always be triggers.

Some are predictable, some hit you out of the blue.

They do lessen. You even get to a point where you can laugh at some that once made you cry.

You find new direction, new strength, new interests, new gifts, new faith.

God is closer than ever and for that I am overwhelmingly thankful.
 
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