Dating at Middle Age

After several years of remaining single, and raising children alone, I contemplate entering dating market once again. At 42, I’m expecting more challenges than previously encountered in my younger years. I’ve read books on dating after age 35 years old, and it appears dating has been relegated to a marketing skill. I need to grow my hair long, because guys prefer longer hair, make sure I’m in shape, maybe a nip and tuck here and there under a surgeon’s knife would increase my chances. Women outnumber men significantly as we age, so one must strategize to beat odds. As I read all of this, I seriously wonder, if I really want to go there.

Transforming self into a middle age Barbie doll somehow seems plastic, and so unreal. How does a person maintain their true self, while attempting to appeal to available market? On-line Christian dating services appealed as a starting place. I carefully plotted out answers to basic questions to describe myself, and what I was seeking in a man – easy enough. I filled out personality section, and posted a picture. For a mere $9.95/month, I began journey down road to romance. Responses to my posting came quickly. At first, men would send little flirts. Finally one wanted to correspond, and quickly progressed to lunch together. John seemed like a nice guy. We conversed for several hours over soup and salad. We parted ways, and John promised to call. Later that evening, he did call, but conversation changed. Now that we had met, John wanted to rendez-vous at a hotel to get to know each other. Floored at first, I regained my composure, and nicely declined invitation, and decided to move on with my search. Naively, I felt that a Christian dating service would postpone sex talk a while – silly me!

A MISSIONARY IN THE PINEY WOODS OF GEORGIA

When one in U.S.A things of missionaries, we tend to think of a foreign country. My mission field is in piney woods of Georgia, where I grew up. This is "Bible Belt", so we have many churches of all denominations...but what is sad, is that many of these folks are not saved, and many in this area do not go to church. When LORD called me, he told me to go back home, I have a mission for you. During past 18 years, He has used me greatly here, witnessing to many (even some preachers, Sunday school teachers, deacons, and choir directors). I have led many to Jesus.