Don't Put Your Best Foot Forward Before Marriage

One morning during my single years, my husband, who at that time, was a man I was just getting to know, decided to go on a run with me.  After we had finished, we sat down on a curb by the side of the road and chatted for a bit.  I was covered in sweat, had my hair up in a pony tail and I certainly wasn't wearing any makeup.  At the time of our rest, I took off one of my shoes and sock then showed him my bare foot and asked him a question.

Is this athlete's foot?

He nearly choked on what I asked and then proceeded to laugh out loud.  I, on the other hand, didn't understand what he thought was so funny, after all, my foot itched and I thought he might know what was wrong with it.

Now I realize if I had some Feminine Etiquette Coach by my side she probably would have rebuked me in that moment because I wasn't acting all proper.  No, I wasn't acting proper, I was being myself.  After all, I was seated by a man that I saw as friend, not someone I was trying to impress by putting my best foot forward, rather, just my athlete's foot!

I just squealed with delight when I saw this picture of married feet!

I know how easy it is to get caught up in the newness of a potential relationship.  Sometimes we try to present ourselves better than we really are.  Maybe telling some half-truths or omitting some past deplorable sins and choices?  And based on our human nature, those things are all common to do by the way, but let's call it what it really is; it's either our pride or our insecurities coming through.  Yet, that is not a wise way to start off your marital foundation.

So here's one more challenge in our Smitten for Him Single Series.

When a possible suitor comes along, don't try to impress him.  Don't put your best foot forward, but instead be as comfortable as you are.  Be fully real, normal, and relaxed because that's how married life is going to be.  Keep in mind that your future husband will see you waking up in the morning with bed hair as well as smelling your morning breath, he'll also see you when you're sick, and when you're grumpy and lazy, and perhaps he'll even see you during childbirth.

Now I am not saying don't brush your teeth or comb your hair when you go out with him, but don't obsess about your outer appearance and be all dolled up every time you get together with him, either.  Because that's just not real life.  And if or when you become a mom, babies puke on you and keep you up all night, and body parts become, well, let's just say different.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  Proverbs 31:30

You want him to fall in love with you; the inner you, even if the outer you happens to have a little athlete's foot!

And for those of you that have a tainted past similar to mine, don't allow the Enemy to condemn you for your past sins either.  If your relationship is moving towards marriage, then be honest with your man.  Don't hold things from him because you feel he won't accept you.  If that's the case, then he's not the one for you anyways.  You want a man that will love you the way Christ loves the church.  So if he can't forgive you for what you did years ago or maybe even what you did last week depending on your situation, then don't think for one moment that he'll be forgiving towards you during your marriage, because he won't!

Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!  Psalm 32:2

Love keeps no record of wrongs.  1 Corinthians 13:5

Oh, and I forgot to mention one last thing to ask yourself about your potential husband... 

Would you still want to marry him even if you could never change him?
  

Coming soon, the final post in this series...Purity!


And to all my Titus 2 Women, please share this series with others in hopes that it will help them in their single years!



Other posts in the Smitten for Him Single Series
4 Things You Need to Do Before You Meet Prince Charming
To Date or Not to Date, That is the Question
What Not to Settle for In Your Future Husband
The #1 Purpose of Marriage

Live a poured out life for Christ,

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