Hope

Have you ever dated someone for a few weeks and thought how fun it was? You spend time together. You laughed and smile a lot. Everything looks and smells better. Such bliss! When you aren't together you text for hours on end (which I still can't get used to). You go to new restaurants and eat new food and eat off of each other's plates. You just enjoy being together. It's all going really well. You certainly aren't in love. You are still just trying to get to know someone and honestly kinda get to know yourself as well in this new situation.

And then one day. You get a text (yes a text) and your heart leaps because you like hearing from him, but this text isn't good. This one is long and starts out with "I really hate to do this ...." and you know. You don't even need to read the rest. You just know. It's over. He isn't interested anymore. And your heart sinks, not because you thought he was "the one" or because you had fallen for him, but just because at that moment your hope is squashed.

He didn't treat you like you want to be treated or talked to the way you know you deserve. He was a nice guy with a great heart, but he wasn't the one for you. You know that. You didn't do anything wrong. It isn't any one's fault. You aren't sad because of him. You're sad because once again the hope that you had in your heart died a little.

The hope dies and you scold yourself for knowing that your hope should be found in the Lord alone. You know with your head that this is the truth, but your heart hurts because what if he was the last boy to ever look your way? What if the french fry you ate off of his plate on your first date was the last first date french fry you'll ever eat? The hope dims and you're left in a bit of a valley. You'll fight your way out (again). You'll emerge victorious. Of this your are sure. But for a few days or weeks to come, your hope will need to be revived.

Dating is hard. I'm learning this. All of us are just trying to navigate our way through complicated lives and baggage and everything else. We're all just broken people looking for a smiling face to walk through the brokenness with us.

Have you ever found yourself in this place?

I'm asking for a friend.