How do you define success?

Everywhere we look it seems that success is measured by many worldly things. Your degree, money, what you wear, how many friends you have, and so many other things. One thing that I think society measures success by is dating relationships and marriage. I know that I have in the past. Seventh grade me used to dream and plan how I would date, what my engagement would be like, and how I would feel like a princess on my wedding day. I spent hours and hours pinning on Pinterest everything that I dreamed my wedding would be like. This is how I measured success. "If I don't have a boyfriend by a certain age then I am behind on my plan." "I want to be married by this time, have children by this time, and then I will be complete."

But Jesus has been teaching me something lately. I am not made complete by a boyfriend, by getting married one day, or even by having children. Sure, I want these things, and they are so good. They are all a GIFT from God, but they do not made me complete. Jesus has been whispering to me constantly through out the day that I am made complete in Him. People do not define me; rather, my Father and true Love in heaven does. He romances me all the time. We share intimate moments together that I would not trade for the world much less a boyfriend or husband.

I am definitely not putting down dating or marriage because those things do come from God, but I am not going to go through life anymore defining my success by my relationships. I know that God will bring whoever He wants into my life in His time.

1 Corinthians 7