A sabbatical in the dictionary is defined as any extended period of leave from one’s customary work, esp. for rest, to acquire new skills or training. In my opinion, a sabbatical is to take a time for you and Jesus and train yourself to become a greater warrior for the Kingdom of God. Everyone can take a sabbatical for a year but also everyone takes a sabbatical for different reasons. For example, the sacrifice of giving up dating for a year shows that you’re letting go of your own life and letting God work in your life. In the end of a sabbatical you will be a totally a different. In my own personal experience of doing a sabbatical for a year and now finishing, I can say I am completely a different person than who I was last year. I am not perfect, but I am on my way to becoming a better warrior princess of the most HIGH KING.

 A sabbatical in my own personal life meant to not only to focus on God, but to learn more about how I act, how my moods are, what I need to work on, and what inner baggage God needed to remove in my life. It was a transforming experience to take that time and learn to hear Gods voice.

In the beginning of my sabbatical I was just going to do it for no dating in my life. Within that month, three guys started talking to me and I had to remove myself because I knew I couldn’t get involved with a guy. Guys were flies sticking on to me and wanting to get my attention. When you try to follow Christ closer you will get attacked harder. I learned that none of those guys were for me because I was dedicated to my God. It was not God’s timing so I knew it was not the best of the best for me.

The next couple of months, God revealed inner baggage that I carried still upset me. Rejection in my life from my physical father was something God had to deal with me from the inside out. I couldn’t let go because I never forgave my physical father for never being in my life. Not letting go of the past will put you in chains. This will stop you from going forward into your future. Rejection, loneliness, abandonment and isolation stirs up our lives.  In the course of time it had a domino effect that affected all my relationships, which even led to co-dependency in friendships.

The Lord taught me to let go, forgive and forget the past. After doing this, I am now able to go forward into the next season. I also fasted for 4 days, which taught me so much. I was walking home one day from church and I just thought about all the great things God has done in the past rocky 4 years of my life. I felt an overwhelming peace come over me while I was worshiping God. It was something I will never forget and will always treasure.

 A revelation in my life!!

 I have observed Christian couples to see the kind of man I want and also who I want to be as a woman of God. Every day, I am learning something new about myself. I know that I am not perfect but I am trying everyday to be like Ruth and prepare myself for the Boaz that will come into my life one day.

 How did I handle the struggles?

 I did struggle with wanting a relationship within this sabbatical period. I would write a letter to my future husband or to God. I didn’t dwell on the thoughts of wanting a relationship. I would capture my thoughts and start think about something else. I reminded myself that God has the best for me. When I go to weddings or special occasions and see happy couples, I would say to myself,  “God has that for me one day but not now.”

Menstrual days!! On the days that I would have my period are honestly the hardest days of wanting a relationship. Every time I was on my period I would isolate myself from guys because I knew I would be thinking about wanting a relationship. I would hang out only with girls. I would do anything I have to do so that I would not fall into the temptation to think about having a relationship to distract my walk with God. I honestly believe that whatever a girl has to do to stay focus on God – then DO IT! Believe me, it is not easy but I know in HIS TIMING, it will be worth it all.   Ecclesiastes 3:11 -  He has made everything beautiful in its time.

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Ever wonder how Valentine’s day came about? Let’s take a look at the history. There are a few stories about it. Nobody really knows which one is true. However, there is one in particular that got my attention.

Back in the days, there was an empire that banned marriages all together to grow his army with men. There were too many of them were getting married and it affected these men going into the army. There was a priest name Father Valentine that found this ban unjust and secretly wed young couples. The Empire found out about it and arrested him. While he was in prison, the young couples that he married secretly gave him flowers & notes as a symbol of their gratitude of what he did for them. It was believed that he fell in love with the jailor’s daughter. Before he died, he wrote a letter and signed it, “from your valentine”. He was sentenced to death on February 14^th. This became Saint Valentine’s Day. What a beautiful love story. Saint Valentine died for a cause. Is there not a cause? He did it for others out of love. Now that’s TRUE LOVE. Let me ask you this, when was the last time someone died for you? Thinking back on my life, I can’t think of one time that a person died for me because they love me.

But wait! There is someone that died for everyone! That is Jesus Christ. He died for a cause – because God loves mankind! Is this not a cause? Now, this is true love!

1 John 3:16 – For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the word, but to save the world through him.

 Don’t mistake love with roses, candy, and romance. True love is God’s love EVERYDAY of the year, not just one day on Valentine’s day.  This day does not have to be the most depressing time for Singles. Stop dodging  this day like a stray bullet.  Understand that this is a day of love- God’s love that is! Here are some things that can help you:

1. Change your ATTITUDE.  It’s a choice that you have. Choose to be happy and content on Valentine’s day. The battle begins in your mind. You need to change your mindset. Instead of conforming to the world’s way of celebrating this day with a person, celebrate this day with God who is LOVE.

Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

This day represents affection and love towards someone. What better way to express your affection and love to your one and only – JESUS!

2. Stand on His PROMISES. Fill yourself more of his word. Let the scriptures fill your heart that will bring you joy!

 1 John 4:16 – And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. GOD IS LOVE, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Start worshipping God with songs. When you are caught up in worship, you can’t help but to have God’s joy and love overwhelm you.

3. Look AROUND. Instead of complaining about what you don’t have, be thankful of what God is doing around you. Let Him show you how awesome it is to be wined and dined by the Lover of your soul. No other person on earth will treat you as well as God can.

You need to open your heart to Jesus and he will show you how to enjoy life right now. Sometimes, you really need to stop and smell the roses! Why are you complaining that no one gives you flowers? God puts them all around you to enjoy. Maybe you need to take a walk so you can see what God has given you. Don’t miss out on your TRUE LOVE for this Valentine’s day.

1 John 4:19 – we love Him because He FIRST LOVED US.