Chasing Love

As a single 30-something year old woman, I am entering (or have entered) a phase in my life where I have a strong desire to be married and have children. Several friends, associates and acquaintances are in committed relationships or married. My sister got married two years ago. My younger brother is getting married next year. 3 of my co-workers are planning October weddings. My friends have blessed me with 5 wonderful godchildren. I admit to having the "when is my time coming" feeling every now and then. It's normal. I want all those happy things .... a husband, a house, a family. But I also want it when it is my time. So I'm being patient. I'm not making that statement to boast perfection. I am saying it because that's what I am dealing with.

Everyone does not have the same idea as me. They might say they do, but their actions don't reflect their words. I seem to engage in conversation with women who are chasing their dream instead of letting that dream fall in place at the right time. I like to call it, chasing love. I have seen friends throw themselves into situations that were not good for them in hopes of creating a dream. Instead of letting the situation develop, they try to make things happen. Feelings end up being hurt because what they thought was love, wasn't. They were giving 100%, but getting 27% in return.

Though I am far from a Bible scholar, through my years of sitting in sanctuaries, I have managed to pick up a few tidbits.
1 Corinthians 4-7 (NIV):
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

What that says to me is, love is supposed to be something that feels good. And if it doesn't you're doing it wrong. Going after it the way that you have been is bringing pain. That's not what love was created to do.

Okay, so no chasing love. What do I do? Just sit around and wait?

In a discussion on twitter a few days ago, a friend through out a question. "Should I ask a guy out?" Some people responded with NO while others (including myself) said, sure why not. One person reasoned that she shouldn't ask him out because she needs to let him pursue her. I argued that he may not even know you're interested if you don't say anything. I don't think there is anything wrong with saying ... Let's go get some coffee. It's not a marriage proposal. It says "Let's hang out."
I've done it. I was interested in a guy. We were friends, but I let him know that I was interested. We have hung out a few times. We talk often. He even initiates a lot of the conversations. Are we engaged? No. In fact, I think I might have earned myself a permanent spot in the friend zone.
I'm not mad though. I did something that I wouldn't have normally done. I made the first move.
As a single woman, sitting around waiting for someone to come along and ask me out gets old and tiring. I don't think there is anything wrong with initiating a friendship. All you're doing is putting the ball in his court. He still has the chance to chase you. Nearly three years ago, my brother received a phone call from his (now) fiancee. It doesn't hurt to make the first move. But after she made the first move, he did the chasing.

After the first move is made, the rest is up to him. The Bible says ...
Proverbs 18:22 (NIV)
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

I want him, he who God has prepared for me to FIND me. I can make my presence known, but leave the job of chasing love to him.