Hello, everyone. I wanted to speak today about my experience using a dating service and how God used it in my life.
A couple of months before I used the dating service I was really depressed. I felt all alone, even though I had a cat to keep me company. I really didn't have any human companionship. Every night after work I would come home and curl up on my bed and cry. That's how bad it was.
After a couple of weeks of crying to myself I decided to do something about it. So, I started praying. I prayed that God would send me the person he had set aside for me.
After praying that prayer for a week I started receiving mail from All About Singles, a dating service. I just ignored it and put the fliers in the trash. But, that didn't stop God. He made sure to keep All About Singles in my view. Every where I went I would see signs of the dating service. It would be on TV, the radio, I would see billboard signs as I went to work, and it was always showing up in the mail.
So, I answered one of the fliers and then decided that since their office was located in Wilkes-Barre, I would go there after work. Just to check prices. I ended up there and started asking questions about pricing, but was told I had to sign up to be a member before pricing was talked about. So I signed up. We worked out a pricing plan that would work for me and I was given a questionnaire to fill out. After that I was given some guys' phone number to call and I had to arrange the dates with them.
I dated a couple of guys and tried my hardest to keep the dates out of Tunkhannock. I was really scared about doing this, since I was doing this on my own. I didn't want my family to find out. But of course, when I was on one of these dates, which did take place in Tunkhannock, I ran into the Youth Pastor of my church. Wow, was I really nervous. I kept praying that the Youth Pastor would not tell my father. Of course, nothing was ever said so I kept going on the dates.
Some of the guys I dated I really did not feel attracted to, so I went back to the dating service and tried to narrow down the choices. I was given Mark's name from the dating service. I called Mark and we arranged to meet at Pickett's Charge in Dallas.
On August 14, 2004 I drove to Pickett's Charge and saw Mark standing outside holding flowers. My first impression was OH! No! Not another loser. But, I gave the date a chance. I said Hello and we went inside the restaurant. As soon as we sat down and started talking, I felt as if a gulf of distance had just been covered and I had met an old friend. We talked and talked all through dinner and then Mark asked if I wanted to see a movie. I said yes and we got a paper to see what movies were playing. Mark chose I, Robot starring Will Smith. He asked if I would like to see that one. I said yes and we both drove to the movie theater. It was a good movie. We both said our goodbyes and then went our own directions to go back home.
I did have one other date after that, but I just kept thinking about Mark. Later, I called him up and we kept on seeing each other. I invited him to be my date to my sister's wedding. Then of course came the day that Mark proposed to me. It was a great day. We went to Pickett's Charge for dinner then drove back to Tunkhannock and went for a walk down by Riverside Park. We sat down at a gazebo and Mark handed me a present. I opened it and it was a small glass jewelry box. Then he asked me to open the jewelry box. There was another little box inside. I opened that box, which held my engagement ring.
Mark got down on one knee and proposed. I of course said yes. Then we went over to my parent's house and made the announcement. It was a very exciting time. God answered my prayer by using a dating service to send me the man of my dreams. Mark is a great guy. He is my opposite and therefore challenges me every day to live a better life. I will always be thankful to God for sending Mark to me.
So yes, God can use dating services to send that person he has planned for you. I encourage people to use dating services, but only make sure to do your research first. All About Singles was very expensive, but it was worth it. Also, make sure to pray to God and allow him to lead you to the one he has planned for you. You can't go wrong with God's leading. God has been in the matchmaking business for quite a long time. He knows what he is doing.
God Bless and good luck for your future,
Joyell
