only as a brother in Christ

Trina Holden

I was not initially attracted to the first man who came to court me. Yet, after truly seeking God’s heart for the situation, I felt He was calling me to love this man. So I said ‘yes’ to a ‘season of exploration’ — to a courtship. As the months passed, my choice to love selflessly bore fruit and I began to find great joy in our relationship. Then, suddenly, the Lord made it just as clear that He was calling me out of the relationship, to relinquish my desire for marital love, and to only love this man as a brother in Christ.

Read Courtship: Dispelling the Myths

"If you’re married, reading love stories can be a reminder of when your love was fresh and new. Sometimes, between kids and housework and projects and deadlines and phone calls and bills, I forget those butterflies I used to get when he called. I don’t think about all the little things that lined up 'just so' to allow us to meet. When I read a good love story, it brings back those happy memories, and encourages me to make new ones."

(Jeannie in "Humorous & Authentic Real-Life Love Stories")

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