Summary: "Oh, Lisa!" gasped Tina as she entered the room she shared with her older sister. "Your wedding dress is so-o-o beautiful! You look like a princess!" Lisa laughed. "Thank you, dear sister," she said, "but I was hoping to look like a bride." Tina giggled. "Try on the veil, too," she urged. "I want to see it." As Lisa placed the veil on her dark hair, Tina sighed wistfully. "I'd love to wear a dress like that and march down the church aisle." Lisa laughed. "Whoa, Tina! You're only thirteen," she said. "It'll be a long time before you're old enough to get married." "With these braces and freckles," Tina murmured, "no guy in his right mind would even look at me twice!" "By the time you're old enough to get married, you won't have braces," said Lisa. She grinned. "As for freckles, I have them, too, you know--and Dan likes them. If a guy really loves you, he won't care if you have freckles or braces or warts on your nose!" Tina laughed. "Well, at least I don't have the warts." She frowned. "Lisa, how do you know you really love Dan?" "Well . . . being in love isn't just having strong feelings for someone," replied Lisa. "It includes respect, friendship, and commitment." She paused for a moment. "When a man and a woman are really in love, they want the best for each other and they commit themselves to one another for a lifetime."Lisa gave her sister a hug. "Never get married, Tina, unless you're sure you've found the man you want to live with for the rest of your life," she advised. "That's God's plan for a man and a woman." Tina nodded. "I wonder if I will ever get married," she said thoughtfully. "I hope so." Lisa smiled. "The important thing to remember is that you must be willing to do what God wants. Maybe He'll bring a special man into your life someday and give you a deep love for one another. Or maybe God's choice for you is to be single. That's up to Him. Meanwhile, enjoy my wedding. Okay?" Tina nodded and grinned. "Okay," she agreed. How About You? Do you wonder who you'll marry or whether you'll ever get married? Don't be in a hurry and rush ahead of God. You have lots of time. For now, develop and enjoy good friendships. God says marriage is to last as long as both partners live, so getting married is a very serious decision for both the bride and the groom. Whenever you think about getting married someday, ask God to lead you in making a wise choice. Today's Key Verse: What God has joined together, let not man separate. (Matthew 19:6) Today's Key Thought: Marriage is for life
