Love, is patient....

If the weather man says that the temperature outside is 30 degrees, it is definitely cold! If you made an overall grade of 94 in your English class then you definitely passed. Heck, 2+2 will always equal 4. The numbers don't lie. But there are some numbers that were recently released that are particularly troubling to me. 42% of Black women aren't married and 70% of professional Black women aren't married. I just so happen to fall within all 3 of those categories... I'm black, I'm a professional AND I'm single. Does this indicate that all is doomed for my crack at happily ever after?

Why is the world all of sudden interested in black women being single? Relationships and the black woman are booming business these days. It's turned Steve Harvey from a comedian to a "relationship guru". Dr. Phil and Oprah have done shows on it. It has even caught the attention of mainstream media, ABC's Good Morning America and Nightline. All painting us as women without a clue when it comes to selecting a mate. I admit some women are being unrealistic in what they want, making foolish decisions and putting the cart before the horse when it comes to relationships; but I refuse to allow some numbers to determine whether or not I will get married.

I have some confessions: Yes, I used to have a list, and passed up some good dudes because of it. The moment you realize that...life kind of sucks. Yes, I've made some foolish choices and decisions all in the name of love. I call those learning opportunities. And yes, I'm guilty of putting the cart before the horse (i.e. planing the wedding before I even received the proposal, starting the family before the marriage). But all of those experiences allowed me to realize that I'm doing way too much when it comes to relationships. I mean if God knew who I was and what I was going to be before he even formed me in my mother's womb, why wouldn't it work the same for who will be my mate?

What happened to everything in God's time or Lord, THY will be done? We are out here making a mess of things and got the nerve to be upset that we aren't joined at the hip to something that is totally wrong for us. Instead of saying he's a dog, why don't you just admit that you ignored the signs to walk away and got caught up? Or here's a good one.. next time you deny a good man because he doesn't have a degree or because he isn't rough enough around the edges for you, just admit that you let a good man go because of your issues and hangups. I'm not bashing, I'm just saying.

We are all familiar with the Love scripture. It has been read or printed on a program for almost every wedding that I have ever attended, but when was the last time you looked at as more than just a poem?
1st Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV ~ Nefertari's Introspective Version)
Love is patient (it WILL wait on me and I WILL wait for it), love is kind (it has manners and respect for my feelings). It does not envy (won't get mad me because someone else happens to admire me), it does not boast (it won't cause me to put him on blast or vice versa), it is not proud. It is not rude (it won't ignore me, won't say mean things to me, won't say untrue things about me and won't cause me to do any of those things to them), it is not self seeking (GET RID OF THE LIST), it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs (if you forgive them let it go!). Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth (the truth can be painful at times, but there is NEVER a reason to lie). It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (brings a whole new meaning to having someone's back).

Love NEVER fails (pretty self explanatory).

All is not lost. There is a happily ever after for every woman. Question is who's will you choose, yours or God's?