My Story Part 3: Settling

For any single person there is the fear and temptation to settle. I did not experience my singleness unscathed from this temptation.

The possibilities:

• The simple-minded. Great guy, but he couldn't play scrabble. He was not my equal in intellect. Am I being too picky? I am a snob? Should I go out with him anyway?
• The mess. Oh he was nice, but he completely lacked confidence. His clothes were wrinkled. He second-guessed himself. He brought friends along (whom he played a chess on his phone with the whole time) to our second date. Could I get past his insecurities? 
• The homebody. He lived with his parents. He had never traveled more than 70 miles from home. We had so little to talk about. Should I stick it out? Should I bear through the boring conversation? 
• The nice guy. He was an elementary teacher. He loved travel. He was kind and gentle. He was interested and interesting. He was taking guitar lessons. But he didn't really talk about God. I asked where his relationship with God was, he simply answered, "it could be better." This one was hard. Was God asking me to be the catalyst for him to deepen his walk with God? Was it ok to just be a church goer? We were compatible in so many other ways, was it ok to compromise on faith? He had potential.

With each of these men, the temptation to settle raged. I turned away from each, some a little more willingly than others. I was not willing to compromise. With each I feared being too picky. With each I decided I'd rather be single, than give up a part of who I am, especially my faith.