I know you are young to hear this now, but I need to say it to you every year until the time comes. It needs to be conditioned into your mind. And absorbed into your bones … Because I will blink, and one day you will begin to date. And if I wait to tell you then, it will be too late.
If a man tells you, you are too fat or too skinny … run and don’t look back.
If a man tells you, your dreams aren’t worth fighting for, or won’t ever come true … run and don’t look back.
If a man tells you, you must pick your family & friends, or him … run and don’t look back.
If a man verbally threatens you, about anything … run and don’t look back.
If a man puts you down or shames you for your personal choices … run and don’t look back.
If a man raises his hands in anger or is physically forceful … run and don’t look back.
If a man tells you he doesn’t believe in God or Jesus, he doesn’t have a relationship with them, and refuses to make time for them … run and don’t look back.
If a man manipulates you by playing mind games … run and don’t look back.
If a man discourages you from continuing your education, helping others, or giving to those less fortune … run and don’t look back.
If a man ignores you in front of his friends and doesn’t make it a priority to introduce you to his parents … run and don’t look back.
If a man insists his time is more important than yours, and his work is more important than you … run and don’t look back.
If a man lies repeatedly to you … run and don’t look back.
If a man won’t keep his word … run and don’t look back.
If a man tells you, literally or figuratively, you are not enough for him … run and don’t look back.
If a man blames you or blames other people for his poor behavior … run and don’t look back.
If a man implies you are smaller, weaker, less valuable because you are a woman … run and don’t look back.
You see my darling, if a man does these things, his moral compass is broken. No amount of glue in the world can fix it. Not even if YOU apply it.
By instinct alone, you will want to nurture. Mend. Repair what you see is in pieces. That works well in home improvement. But when it comes to a relationship, search for a man with a whole heart. His actions will allow you to see that organ early on. Pay attention. And when he shows you who he is, believe him.
I want you to know you are capable of fixing SO many things in life. MOST things in fact. But hear me clearly- it’s not your job to fix a man. Find one that is not broken. Find one with a moral compass you are proud of.