just read the 'THREAD' and not the responses;
just as a first jerk reaction comment:
I would say hub and I would 'not like to see one', this thread...but, that's just us'...
so, if there should become a 'matchmaking-thread-club thread here, then please 'make sure'
that your Faith has given you the wisdom to see the truth in all things...
I appreciate your feedback, Oldethennew, and I do understand the concerns of those who have expressed the problems of an "official matchmaking thread." This is why I didn't go through with my original plan of a series of 3 threads leading up to one that was "officially" for matchmaking.
I'm not picking on you or your post at all, but this is something I find ironic within the Christian community.
Plenty of us singles have had people try to play matchmaker for us -- our parents, our co-workers, our neighbors, that group of little old ladies at church, and yes, even Aunt Bertha (from the poll) -- and that's considered fine and dandy. In fact, raise your hand out there if you have had people who have gotten down-right offended when you were either not interested in their matchmaking at all or did meet the person they wanted you to meet but didn't feel ANY connection -- and then were made to feel guilty about it.
BUT the minute SINGLES actually talk about suggesting matches FOR EACH OTHER AMONG THEMSELVES, GASP!!! "MAKE SURE YOUR HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE!!!" Because SURELY we aren't capable of doing this in a mature, adult fashion on our own!!!
Please excuse me while I roll my eyes all the way around about 50 times in my head.
We singles, and the singles forum, are always seen as being "frivolous" and "non-spiritual." Even more ironic is when those who are married want to dictate our behavior, when at the same time, Family Forum is always filled with married people who are listing any and every reason to leave their spouse (I'm not saying at all that their reason aren't legitimate in some cases, I'm just saying, am I the only one who sees the irony in some married people constantly telling singles to guard their hearts and to keep their eyes on the Lord???!!)
Is this why some married people come here -- to try to make sure all of us "rowdy" singles are being "kept in line"? (I am not speaking at all to the marrieds who share their wisdom and encouragement here -- we appreciate you very much -- and when we are seen as "not having our hearts in the right place," we appreciate you even more.)
One of the reasons I wrote this thread is because I was going through a long time of very deep soul/spirit/"Where are you, Lord?" searching. It seems like every time I turn around, someone is asking me if I could please pray for them because of a family tragedy, crushing financial blows, and, most commonly (in my life at least,) cancer.
I have spent the last 6 months very deeply seeking God for some kind of spiritual storehouse with which to be able to try to turn around and comfort other people.
For myself, a thread like this was a much-needed break for myself and hopefully others, and meant to be all in fun, and not some kind of serious marriage-making event. I understand thoughtthat this just might be my own sense of humor.
However, just because singles crack jokes and want to have a good laugh now and then, please don't pre-judge them as being shallow and spiritual-less.
(Oldethennew, I'm not saying you are necessarily doing this. I'm just saying... It's just so completely ironic to me that singles are always accused of being lesser in every way, including our faith.)
We love it when married friends hang out in Singles to tell us what married life is really like, because we need to hear what married people really face, and I do understand "gentle" "reminders" to "keep our focus on the Lord."
But when they want to imply that we're somehow not as spiritual as they might assume they are?
Not so much.
For the marrieds who want to keep us singles in line, I would issue an equal challenge.
When you walk into the bedroom with your spouse tonight, may your heart be as 110% focused on the Lord as you want ours to be.