Several months after my wife died, I was talking with a friend who is also a wise and loving pastor.He wanted to help protect me from too quickly getting involved in another relationship—a common problem for men who are divorced or widowed.
Until we can answer in the affirmative, we would be wise to suspend seeking another relationship.
Taking a wife was a serious commitment, one that demanded earnest preparation.
I'm not suggesting a return to these practices, although we'd probably be wise to realign romance with realism.
(My advice: Lock them in a secure room for the first six months.) My friend's counsel was simple, and should be heeded by all Christian single men regardless of age: Concentrate first on being the right person, then on finding the right person.
A man who wants to be godly and who means to prepare himself for a wholesome, meaningful relationship has his work cut out for him. Be Prepared The Jewish young men of the Old Testament intentionally prepared themselves for marriage.