Singleness

7th February 2025

Share the Love this Valentine’s Day

Here are our top 5 suggestions for a Valentine’s Day where you can share the love, whether it’s romantic or full of other joys.

Make Someone’s Day

Rather than worrying about getting the perfect present for one person this Valentine’s Day, why not carry out some small and simple acts of kindness to spread the love far and wide? This might be as simple as paying for the coffee of the person behind you at the till, donating to a charity, or telling a stranger that you rate their style.

You could make the day of an elderly friend or relative by surprising them with a call or visit, or even by sending them a small but personal gift. If you have children in your family or social circle, you might take them on an unexpected ‘date night’ to see a favourite movie, or stay in with hot chocolate and treats for a pampering session.

If you’re an animal lover, you might even want to make some doggy’s day by picking up some toys at the pet shop and taking them down to your local animal shelter! Everyone likes to be thought of, so doing something small but special is a great way to show your love.

Make a New Connection

Do you want to know a top dating site secret? Almost everyone is hoping that you’ll send the first message! Reaching out first when online dating can feel like a nerve-wracking experience, and it’s very easy to overthink what to say. So this Valentine’s Day why not take the stress out of someone else’s experience and reach out to them first?

Our tried and tested tips for success with your opening message include mentioning something you have in common, and asking a friendly question based on what they say in their profile. It’s easy when you know how, and on Valentine’s Day you have a ready made greeting!

February is always one of the busiest times of the year on Christian Connection, so there are bound to be new people waiting to say hello. Why not read our guide to sending great messages to help you get started?

And if you really are too nervous to send the first message, we’ve got you covered! Send a wave, or check out our ‘reactions’ for another first contact option.

Treat yourself – and love your local community

Valentine’s Day can mean big business for many, but don’t forget about local and small community businesses who’ll be extra grateful for your support.

If you want to show yourself some love on Valentine’s Day (you deserve it!), why not visit a small local coffee shop for a beverage and a brownie rather than heading to the usual chain? Get yourself some flowers, or for a longer-lived option splash out on a brand new houseplant from a local garden centre or plant shop. Or head to a local spa for a pampering session.

Now you can spoil yourself and feel good about doing it – and chat to new people you meet along the way!

Spend ‘Palentine’s’ with friends old or new

Palentine’s Day is a well established tradition for the many people who choose to show love to their friends each Valentine’s Day. Why not head out with your buddy group to that extra-fancy restaurant you’ve always wanted to go to and choose whatever you want from the menu. There’s no need to worry about spilling spaghetti sauce when you’re out with pals! Or choose a chilled-out friendship date and spend it on your couch with a box set or video game.

You could take the Palentine’s theme one step further and spend the day making new friends. Look for a local meetup group for one of your hobbies or interests and sign up to attend. Or opt to host or attend one of Christian Connection’s member-hosted Meetups (check out the CC homepage) where you’ll meet new friends and maybe even find someone to spend next Valentine’s with. Meetups can be hosted online or in person, and it’s easy to get started as a host.

Whatever you’d like to do this Valentine’s Day there are sure to be others who’d love to join you.

Take the plunge and plan a date

While there are so many ways to share love with others on Valentine’s Day, we can’t ignore the traditional romantic choice. If you’ve been chatting with someone on Christian Connection for a while and think there could be a spark, or if you’ve already met up once and know you’d like to see them again, this could be the perfect time to set up a Valentine’s Day date.

We have all kinds of date ideas and suggestions to help you make the experience a memorable one, so there’s bound to be something that speaks to both of you.

And if you’re not quite at the date stage yet, why not have a getting-to-know-you chat or video call? You could even have a laid back ‘distant date’ and watch the same movie together or have a meal while you chat.

Remember, there doesn’t need to be any extra pressure just because it’s Valentine’s Day. Any day of the year can be special when you meet the right person, so if you haven’t found your connection yet, this could be the time to make sure your profile and photos are updated and showing you at your best – here are some of our top tips – and then to let love happen when the time is right. Remember, God’s timing is always perfect!

We hope you have a loving Valentine’s Day, however you choose to spend it. And remember that if the best way to show love to yourself is to ignore the day this year and let it pass by, that’s completely valid too. On Christian Connection we’re here to support you all year round – and remember, you are always loved.

How will you share the love this Valentine’s Day?

Looking for more Valentine’s Day advice and blog posts? Click here to visit our archive

Here are some clues that Valentine’s Day is around the corner once again: there are hearts and flowers wherever you look, email inboxes are filling up with suggestions of everything from chocolates to kitchen appliances as perfect gift ideas, and people both single and coupled up are starting to wonder what to do for the day. There can be a lot of pressure to make the best of this one romantic day, and it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed, or left out if you don’t have anything planned. Here on Christian Connection we know romance can’t be rushed, so this Valentine’s Day why not take the romantic pressure off and focus on ways to share the love with others.

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Author: Christian Connection

10th January 2025

How to let love into your life this year

Here are five steps to support you as you take steps to let love into your life in 2025.

Love yourself

If this sounds obvious, I invite you to pause for a moment and to be entirely honest with yourself about how well you are nurturing, cherishing, and caring for yourself. The answer will be different for everyone, but I can pretty much guarantee that there’s always more we can do in the self-love arena.

I’ve been on a self-love journey for more than two decades – recovering from an eating disorder, work addiction, unhealthy relationships, and other forms of self-abandonment. Despite all the healing, today I’m being called to care for myself on a much deeper level than ever before. It’s a challenge but I’m up for it.

What’s God calling you to do this year to grow in self-love? Do you need a healthier diet, more exercise, more rest and relaxation, more prayer time, deeper connections, more fun? If you were to begin each 24 hour period with self-love as your guide, what steps would you take?

Bear in mind that for some of us, the answer isn’t always to do more. It’s tempting to feel pressured at this time of year – to change, transform, improve. Perhaps you need to do less. Perhaps you simply need to kick back, relax and trust that God will take care of you if you take care of yourself.

Do things that you love

Beyond self-care, how can you make your heart sing in 2025? What activities would help you to feel truly alive? Think of the things you enjoyed as a child. I love to dance, sing and ride my bike, for example – these activities make my eyes shine, my cheeks glow and my heart skip.

In fact, it was when I committed to doing more of what I loved, to hiking, biking and camping in the Great Outdoors, that I met my now husband. Doing what I loved brought me into contact with like-minded people. I was also at my best, brimming with enthusiasm and joy. This is when we are at our most attractive.

Again, if you feel pressure to start a whole list of new hobbies, pace yourself. There is no rush. Perhaps choose one activity you’d like to do more of and schedule time for it once a week or once a month, whatever feels manageable.

Share the love

We feel better when we are being kind, generous, and loving towards others. There are so many ways in which this behaviour can manifest – from being a more courteous driver, waving people out at the crossroads, to being friendly to the cashier at the supermarket checkout, to calling up someone whom you know is isolated or alone.

Notice how buoyant you feel when you reach out to help others, when you share the love. All it takes is a smile or a warm word.

Create a lovely environment

Home is where the heart is, or so the saying goes. Take a look around your living space and ask yourself if it needs more tender loving care. I am on a decluttering mission and although it’s slow progress, every time I clear a drawer or let go of something I no longer need, I feel lighter, like there’s more space in my life, like I’m carrying less of a load.

I also feel more peaceful inside when my home is clean and ordered, as well as more willing to invite people to visit, which breaks isolation and builds connection. What steps can you take to feel happier at home?

Make space for love

At the start of 2025, is there anyone you need to let go of to make way for new love? Perhaps someone from your past is taking up space in your head and your heart, preventing you from moving on with your life. How can you let this person go? Is there some grieving you need to do? Do you need to accept that this ship has sailed and that your future lies elsewhere?

While we’re on the topic of space, how hectic is your schedule? Is there space in your diary to go on a date or to spend a day with a potential partner, or would you struggle to fit somebody new into your life? Is there anything you can do to create some space for dating in your schedule? Remember, some of us keep ourselves busy because we are afraid of relationships or scared to love. Allow some downtime into your life and see how that feels.

The new year offers us the chance to write a different story. As you open your 2025 diary, try putting the word ‘Love’ at the top of the page, and then let all your actions, decisions and choices follow on from that.

What are some of the ways you could let love into your life this year?

Enjoyed reading ‘’How to let love into your life this year? Read more by Katherine Baldwin here

As a new year dawns, we are gifted a fresh opportunity to build the life and the relationship that we desire and deserve. So, how do we make the most of this opportunity? How can you let love into your life? I believe we do this by giving to ourselves, to our lives and to others the love we hope to receive.

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Author: Katherine Baldwin

21st December 2024

How to make connections that matter this season

Make connections that matter this season - Christian Connection blog

Focus on God

For starters, the most important connection one can make during this season is the one we have with God. Perhaps your relationship with God got a bit distant this past year, for whatever reason. Christmas is a good time to reconnect with Him.

Churches have a focus on welcome at this time of year. You could start by attending a carol service, or a Christmas day service at your local church. If you don’t want to go alone, you could go with a friend or even consider inviting a neighbour. You could also get a devotional and start daily Bible reading to draw closer to God and hear what He has to say to you this season.

Remember that the reason for the season is that God wanted to be close to us, so He sent His Son to come into the world. So, why not make reconnecting with Him a priority.

Seek out other people

Another important connection we can make is with friends. With the busyness of life, it can be easy to lose touch with people that we care about, but the holiday period allows us to take some time out and reconnect, if we choose to. There are many ways we can do this.

Sending someone a card to let them know you’re thinking of them, giving them a call or even just sending them a text message is a great way to reconnect.

If you can, you could arrange a meet up. Meeting up for coffee and cake, a drink, or just a walk and a chat (or whatever else you both fancy) are also great ways to reconnect with someone.

Connect with someone new

Why not consider making connections with new people? If you’re single, the festive season can be the perfect time to connect with other single people, either with the intention of meeting someone to date, or even just to build some new friendships.

If you’ve not tried online dating before, you could take the first step over the holiday period to create your online profile; think about what you might want people to know about you. Don’t be afraid of putting yourself out there; you’ll never know if you don’t try it!

Perhaps you’ve tried online dating before, and nothing has come of it so far. Why not take another look at your profile and see if it could do with sprucing up? What interesting things have you done lately that you might want to share? Have you taken up any new hobbies or interests? Travelled to anywhere exciting? Even if that were not the case, taking some time out during the holidays to review your profile could reveal things you might want to change or include.

Whether you look forward to the holidays as a time to rest, recharge, and eat lots of food, or are busy with commitments and non-stop activity, it’s a time when many of us are more open to change and newness. Making the most of the season will require some effort. Making connections that matter – our connection with God, friends and family and even new people – will enrich our lives and give us something to look forward to into the new year.

This season is an exciting one but it can also be lonely. It doesn’t have to be this way. Admittedly, for single people, this can be a time when the reality of being single hits a bit harder, but this time of year can also be a great time to make connections that matter. So, how can you make the most of this season? What kind of connections might you want to consider?

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Author: Urenna Kiwanuka

15th November 2024

4 simple steps to create your dating support system

Here are four steps you can take to build a winning dating support team for your journey to love.

Develop your inner resources

From healthy self-esteem, self-worth and confidence to emotional resilience and courage, it’s vital to build yourself up from the inside out before you embark on a dating journey.

Ask yourself the following questions: do I love myself? Do I take good care of myself? Do I believe I am valuable and worthy of love? Do I have healthy self-esteem? Is my emotional core strong? Am I in touch with my feelings? Am I well connected to my intuition?

If you answer Yes to these questions, you are ready to rock. If you waver, you may need to do spend time doing some inner work.

Self-esteem comes from doing estimable things (estimable meaning worthy of great respect). We feel valuable when we treat ourselves as such and when we set healthy boundaries with others, teaching them how to treat us. We feel strong inside when we face our fears, speak our truth, and show up authentically. We feel connected to our intuition when we carve out time to sit in silence and listen to our inner voice.

Build those inner foundations first. This is key to healthy dating.

Grow your faith

When we wobble physically, we need a wall to lean on. When we wobble emotionally or spiritually, we need a faith to lean on.

How often do you talk to and listen to God? What steps are you taking to deepen your spiritual connection? Can you set aside a few more minutes each day to build up this foundational element of your support system? This could be through prayer, contemplation, journaling, or another spiritual practice.

Fellow daters

Our dating journey will be more successful, not to mention more fun, if we share it with other people who are on the same path. You might have a dating dilemma you need support with – maybe you don’t know how to respond to a message, what questions to ask on a first or second date, or how to interpret a comment you’ve received. You might also want to check in with someone before a date to calm any nerves as well as after a date to share your feelings and debrief.

If you’re postponing dating, you might need an accountability buddy to support you to invest time in your romantic life, or if you tend to move too quickly, you might need a friend at the end of a text message to encourage you to head home on time after a date.

Then, if a first date turns into subsequent dates and a fledgling relationship, you might need help and encouragement to overcome the fears or doubts that often arise when we step towards love.

As you gather your support network of fellow daters, remember to choose your people wisely. You want friends and fellows who can challenge you to face your fears of commitment rather than fan them, or who will support you to walk away from someone you find attractive because they’re waving red flags, rather than persuade you to give the person another shot.

Elders

Elders don’t necessarily have to be older. Elders are people who have dated successfully and progressed into a healthy relationship – people who have walked the path that you aspire to walk. They may be stable married couples, trusted friends, wise faith leaders, or professionals.

If you need additional support on your journey to love – for example, if you need help to overcome your fear of commitment or intimacy, to change unhealthy dating patterns, or to let go of an ex-partner – you may want to reach out to coaches, counsellors or psychotherapists who can help you to explore issues such as low self-worth, fear, grief, and childhood adversity.

If you find it hard to reach out for help – perhaps you have a tendency to be compulsively self-reliant or are scared of rejection – share your fear with others. Be open, honest and real. Tell someone that you’d like help but you find it hard to ask. Many people will be able to relate to this. You are not alone. The key is to take the first step. After that, the road ahead will be easier.

Dating can be daunting but like any other challenging experience, it’s easier when we face it with others by our side.

What have you put in place for dating support?

Enjoyed reading ‘4 simple steps to create your dating support system’? Read more by Katherine Baldwin here

Dating can be enjoyable and exciting but there are also potential pitfalls, like the risk of rejection, trying to decide whom to date, or how to discern between red flags and green ones. We can make it easier on ourselves by building an inner and outer dating support system, so that we are strong emotionally and we have people around us to cheer us on and offer sound advice.

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Author: Katherine Baldwin

27th September 2024

8 great tips for staying spiritually full while single and dating

Here are eight things that can help with staying spiritually full whilst single and dating:

Prayer

The Bible tells us to pray about everything (Philippians 4:6) and to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). This means we should be praying about our dating life as well! If you want to stay spiritually full whilst single and dating, don’t neglect your prayer life. You can pray about who to meet, what you should do on dates, and ultimately for guidance on whether someone is the right person for you. If you’re yet to meet someone, maintaining a healthy prayer life also helps you to stay content and allows you to hear God more clearly as He speaks to you about your life and future.

Bible reading

Speaking about hearing God clearly, one of the main ways God speaks to us is through His word, the Bible. The Bible is not just a book of nice stories but can be seen as God’s love letter to His children. It gives us guidance on how to live our lives, individually, and in relationship with others. We can find encouragement for when we feel weak, and comfort in our trials. If you’re feeling spiritually dry, try to incorporate Bible reading into your daily routine.

Journaling

As you sense God speaking to you through prayer and Bible reading, you might want to write down what you feel He is saying to you in this season of your life- a particular Bible verse that you find encouraging, that you want to remember, or even just how you’re feeling currently. Writing down your thoughts- whether positive or negative- can be a great way to unburden oneself, and as you write them down, you can also commit them to God in prayer- He wants us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

Listening to Christian music and worshipping

Listening to Christian music can help to keep us spiritually full. The lyrics of most Christian songs focus on who God is, His goodness, greatness and faithfulness. As you listen and worship God with singing, it can help focus your mind on Him and draw you closer to Him.

Support from Christian friends and church family

We were never meant to be an island as human beings, and definitely not as Christians. Being part of a church family is crucial for our Christian walk- you can receive encouragement when you’re down, and just being around people with a similar spiritual mindset will give you that spiritual top up we all need every so often.

Meeting other Christian singles

Like spending time with Church family and friends, meeting other Christian singles can help keep you spiritually full – they have a similar mindset as you, but they have the bonus of knowing what you’re going through as a single person. Hanging out with other Christian singles can be encouraging- apart from the fact that you might get to meet someone special, it can be spiritually uplifting just to know that you’re not alone.

You could look at expanding your circles through the Single Friendly Church Network, or joining a Christian Connection meetup.

Balancing dating with other things in life

Dating can take up a lot of time, and whilst it’s important to give it the attention and time it needs, it is also important to balance it with other things in life. Like, making time for friends and family, your own hobbies and other interests. In other words, your dating life shouldn’t be your whole life. Life is meant to be lived to the full, and giving other areas of your life the attention they need is also a way to top up your spiritual tank.

Pursuing your passions and doing whatever God has called you to do

We all have specific things that we enjoy, but beyond that, things that we were created to do. One way to keep spiritually full is to make sure that you are pursuing your passions and spending time doing whatever it is God created you to do. Doing this can give a sense of fulfilment and purpose that makes up for some of those days when you might be feeling a bit low.

There are many ways to keep spiritually full when single and dating, with prayer, Bible reading, and spending time with Christian friends being just a few of them. Whilst the single life can come with its challenges, staying spiritually full doesn’t have to be one of them if you incorporate some of these habits into your life.

What have you found helps with staying spiritually full?

Read more by Urenna Kiwanuka here

Staying spiritually full can be challenging when you’re single. Dating itself can be full on, and whilst you’re busy planning dates and organising meet ups, it can be difficult sometimes to stay on track with your spiritual walk. Seeing friends and others couple up and get married can stir up unwanted feelings and emotions which if dwelled upon, can impact one’s spiritual life negatively. So, what can you do?

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Author: Urenna Kiwanuka

23rd August 2024

Faith, Fun and Friendship: 5 ways to make the most of Christian Festivals

To find a great Christian Festival, look online or check if your church or faith community have any plans. Some churches make group trips to big organised events, giving you a readymade group to base yourself with. But, if you find yourself setting out alone, don’t worry! Christian festivals are perfect for meeting new people.

Find a faith-filled community

Imagine this: a weekend surrounded by like-minded people, all there to celebrate, learn, and grow in their faith. Christian festivals aren’t just about the music (though the music is usually amazing!). They’re a place to come together to explore your beliefs, share experiences, and have those deep, meaningful conversations that sometimes get lost in the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Pick up a festival guide and take in some talks, look for the prayer or communion tent, and see if there’s anything unexpected happening, such as performing arts events. There might even be some Christian comedy looking at the funny side of faith. Christian festivals are the ideal place to step our of your comfort zone and check out something new to you.

Meet new friends (and old ones!)

Lots of people go to festivals with their friends, but don’t forget that there will be many opportunities to forge new friendships while you’re there! The same is true for those attending alone: solo festival-goers are welcomed, and while you might arrive alone you’ll probably leave with a host of new pals and connections.

If you’re not sure how to strike up a conversation with someone new, try offering to volunteer at the festival: you’ll find you have a whole new family of fellow volunteers on arrival! Look out for other ways to help people, too: assisting with putting up tents, giving directions or sharing a shady spot can get you talking. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find that special someone while debating theology over a cup of fair-trade coffee or dancing to your favourite worship band. The relaxed atmosphere at festivals makes it easy to strike up a conversation.

Don’t lose track of the line-up

From inspiring speakers to talented musicians, the line-up at Christian festivals is always wide-ranging, with something for everyone. You’ll get the chance to hear from thought leaders and change-makers, participate in workshops, and listen to some of the best live music around.
There’s usually a great mix of genres, so whether you’re into gospel, rock, folk, or something off the beaten track, you’re sure to find something that gets your toes tapping.

Make sure to check out the line-up in advance so you can secure a good spot for the performances that most excite you. You’ll be in a crowd of people who love the same thing, so get talking to your neighbours!

You might also find events put on just for single people. Christian Connection has done meet ups at Greenbelt festival for years – in fact, that’s how we first came to exist!

Take a break when you need one

You don’t have to stay ‘plugged in’ for the whole event. Christian festivals are also about nourishment — spiritually, mentally, and emotionally – and sometimes what nourishes you might be taking a walk to explore the nearby area, or finding a quiet spot to settle down with a book.

Don’t be afraid to look for some alone time among the crowds. Christian festivals can offer a chance to unplug from the everyday grind and immerse yourself in something truly special. It’s a time to reflect, renew, and recharge in a beautiful setting, surrounded by people who share your values and passions.

Feed your body and your soul

We couldn’t talk about festivals without mentioning the food that’s often on offer! We’re a world away from the soggy burgers of years past – usually… Most Christian festivals now offer a global buffet of incredible treats to try. Make sure to explore all the options early on so you don’t miss out on something special. And if you find something great, having a smart recommendation is a fantastic conversation starter when you meet new friends.

And yes, there are usually lines for the most popular food stands, but think of a queue as another place to get chatting to someone new. Remember, if you go with an open mind and a smile you can make friends anywhere.

Whether it’s singing along to your favourite song under the stars, having a life-changing conversation, or just enjoying the simple joy of being in the moment, the experiences you’ll have at a Christian festival will stay with you long after it ends. We hope these tips will help you make the most of every moment.

What’s your favourite Christian festival?

If you’re heading to a Christian festival, check out ‘10 tips for doing festivals on your own‘ and ‘Christian festivals – a good place to meet?‘

Every year many of us pick up a tent, pack a backpack, and head out into the great outdoors for a weekend of music, mildly questionable food choices and (sometimes) mud at our favourite festivals. But whether you’re a regular attendee or a nervous newcomer, heading to a Christian festival can be a wonderful, welcoming place to meet like-minded people. It could even be the perfect spot for a first date! With so much to do at a festival, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. But if you’re prepared, you’ll be able to tailor the experience to one that’s perfect for you. Here are our suggestions for making the best of your time.

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Author: Christian Connection

21st June 2024

How to make the most of different dating life stages

There are certain realities as we move through the possible dating life stages, and that that come with getting older. What you might have considered your ideal future may no longer be a possibility, and sometimes this can be difficult to deal with. It can be disappointing as someone – male or female – who has ‘waited’ for marriage since you were young, to realise that the ideal you had in mind is no longer a possibility. However, you can still have a fantastic future with someone, and it doesn’t have to feel like settling for second best.

Late teens and twenties

In your late teens and twenties, you might just be starting out in dating, and may ideally be looking for someone in a similar phase of life. Someone with similar interests, who has never married or had children, who you can start and build a life with from scratch. You might be thinking about how many kids you want to have, and what someone does for a job – now or in the future – might be important to you. If you want to travel and see the world, you might want someone you can do this with.

Chances are, you haven’t been married before, and perhaps haven’t had much experience of dating and relationships. You might also be keen to meet someone around the same age as you – depending on the age gap, someone in their thirties or forties might seem really old to you!

I remember when I was in my twenties on a dating site and being contacted by men much older than me (forties); I was mortified! Now, I’m closer to that age group it doesn’t seem that old to me and I realise that age, as they say, is just a number. If you’re single in your twenties, you still have your whole life ahead of you. My advice would be to embrace your singleness and just enjoy life. Don’t put your life on hold waiting for ‘the one’ to show up, just live your life and see where it takes you.

Thirties and forties

As you move into your thirties and forties, your priority might be different. For women, if you don’t already have children, this is usually the age where if you want to, you may feel like this is your last shot at making it a reality. You’ll likely be keen to meet someone that also wants to have children (maybe quickly!), who has a stable job or career, and has pretty much figured out what they’re doing with their lives.

You don’t want to date just for dating sake. Whilst this is completely understandable, it is important to not let the pressure to settle down (especially to have kids) get to you and force you into a relationship that isn’t right for you.

One great thing about being single in a different stage of life is that you’ve had the opportunity to come into your own, are more mature, secure in yourself and you know what you want in a life partner. You may have been in some failed relationships or be parenting alone, but are less likely to make the same mistakes in dating as you might have done in your late teens and twenties.

You’ve also experienced a bit more of life to hopefully be able to detect red flags that may come with dating. The freedom and security that comes with being in a stable career – or having changed career – perhaps having more disposable income and in general just being more settled in yourself means that being single in your thirties and forties can be an exciting time and this is something to embrace.

Fifties and beyond

As you reach your fifties, that desire for companionship and marriage may not have gone away, but what you’re looking for in a partner might again change somewhat. When you once were perhaps looking for someone to start a family with, the realities of age might mean that this is no longer possible, especially for women.

In the dating pool, you might be coming across people that have been married before, some widowed (although this can happen at any age) and some with children from previous marriages. Whilst for some people this might not have been their ideal situation, it is worth acknowledging and accepting this reality. This is not about lowering your standards, but about accepting the situation as it is.

If you can trust that God still has great plans for you when it comes to marriage and relationships, you can even find joy and embrace this stage of life, to avoid missing out on what God might have in store for you. My advice if you find yourself in this stage of life would be to be open-minded, and willing to embrace difference.

If you’re privileged enough to get older and enter your sixties and beyond, your priorities for a partner could become less about raising children (as any potential children are likely to now be adults themselves) and more about companionship and someone to spend time with. This isn’t to say that adventures can’t be had in later life, of course. But meeting someone with a similar mindset and understanding would be paramount.

In whatever stage of life you’re in, there are joys to be found if you can let go of previous long-held desires, accept your reality, and open yourself to whatever God has in store for you.

How have you navigated different dating life stages and how have your priorities changed?

Enjoyed reading ‘How to make the most of different dating life stages?’ Read stories from couples who met on Christian Connection: ‘“Be encouraged and keep going!” – Christian Connection couples share their stories‘

If you’ve been single for a while, you’ll have noticed your dating and relationship priorities might have changed. The chances are, what someone is looking for in their early twenties is quite different from what they’re looking for later on, into their late twenties, thirties, forties and beyond. We all change as we get older, and our priorities when it comes to dating and relationships are likely to change too. So, how might what you’re looking for in a life partner change over time? What might you encounter at different dating life stages? And how can you plan for an amazing future no matter what your age?

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Author: Urenna Kiwanuka

24th May 2024

Introducing ‘Celebrate You’ – Our new inspirational short film

'Celebrate you' - watch the new short film from Christian Connection

Every affirmation in ‘Celebrate you’ is rooted in scripture. Watch the film and then read more below.

Your passion: “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.” Song of Songs, 8:6

Joy and kindness: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

Faith: “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23

Purpose: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah, 29:11

Strength: “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

Courage: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Community: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

We want to you remember these important things too.

You are loved: ““I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

You are chosen: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16

You are precious: “Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.” Isaiah 43:4

You are powerful: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

You are wonderful: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

You are amazing: “He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

You are redeemed: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7

You are unique: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16

We hope you have enjoyed taking a minute to reflect on God’s love for you, and all the gifts he has given.

Amid life’s constant hustle and its highs and lows, we invite you to pause and reflect on some enduring truths. ‘Celebrate You’ is our new short film, created to help you reflect through powerful affirmations, highlighting your unique qualities and the infinite value you hold to God. Whether you’re watching on a big screen at a festival or on your phone at home, take a moment to let each word sink in and affirm God’s love for you and your worth in God’s eyes. Watch and be uplifted by a message of love, hope and personal strength today and always.

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Author: Christian Connection

8th December 2023

5 great ways to connect this Christmas

Of course, for some, Christmas is a hard time of year. The pressure to be festive is too much, or the memories are not joyful. It can be lonely and instead of connecting, it’s a time of waiting for it to be over. But this Christmas doesn’t have to be a repeat of previous ones. Even if you find it a lonely and tricky time of year, there’s always time to make a change. This year, why not think about how you can connect this Christmas? Give yourself a goal to create some sort of connection.

Be mindful of your behaviour over this time. Do you disappear and become a recluse? Do you dread the family get-togethers? Do you spend your time at the bar at the office party trying to avoid awkward conversations – or avoid it altogether? Instead of hiding away maybe use this time to kindle new relationships or friendships, share your faith and life – you might find work parties and family get-togethers give the perfect opportunities to do this.

Here are some suggestions for places to starting to connect this Christmas

Connect with friends

With all that goes on around Christmastime – the hustle and bustle of shops, the Christmas markets, ice rinks and festive drinks – there are plenty of opportunities to catch up with friends and reach out to people you may not have spoken to in a while. There’s a plethora of options to meet up surrounding something active rather than just a passive coffee shop catch up if that helps relieve any awkwardness. And, if distance is an issue, there’s always the option of an online catch up too!

We spend all year being busy. Time flies by and the friends that we keep meaning to catch up with keep getting postponed. We all send the ‘let’s catch up this Christmas’ message – Why not take the leap and put a date in the diary and actually plan to see them before the business of Christmas takes over again? Someone might just be waiting to hear from you!

Connect with church

There are plenty of events going on at Christmas time in church. There are often extra services: Christingles, carol singing, choir concerts, wreath decorating, charity and community outreach and more. It’s a busy time of year for churches! If you haven’t been to church before or haven’t been for a while, it’s an easy way in through these events.

If you want to connect with church and be a part of the community there, you’ll find there’s plenty to do, which means the opportunity for lots of fellowship, fun, prayer and laughter to be had through the Christmas schedule, when lots of people attend for special services and events. Why not make it a priority to go to church over the Christmas period, learn more about God and have fellowship? Bring Christmas back to Christ, celebrate with your (new) church family and you might even be able to connect with new friends too.

Connect with community

Communities really pull together at Christmas. It’s a very natural response to not want anyone to be lonely, hungry, cold or sad over the festive period, and within neighbourhoods are lots of kindly folk who step up to make sure it doesn’t happen. Food banks give out Christmas dinners, charities make sure children have presents and care homes have entertainment and visitors. There are helplines for homeless people, volunteering opportunities, there’s group carolling, local Christmas fetes and markets.

You have a perfect opportunity to be a part of your community, get to know where you live and make a difference in someone’s life and give back to your community. This is a great way to find out the good in where you live and all that goes on in the heart of the area. What could you do?

Connect with God

Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus and whatever your year has been like, whatever your walk with God has been, wherever your faith in Christ is at, it’s a prime time to reconnect with our Saviour. There are constant reminders everywhere – carols singing about Christ, nativity scenes, extra church services, nativity plays and Christmas cards with scenes from the Bible story.

Take time to pause, reflect, pray and thank God for the blessings that He has given you over the last year. If it’s been tough, thank God that you are alive and able to thank Him. God wants to hear from you, so what better time than over this period?

Connect with someone new

Sometimes Christmas can be lonely. TV ads and seasonal films are full of couples hanging out on cosy dates, happy-looking people in the midst of big family gatherings, cherished family traditions that seem rich and joyful. You may not be a part of any of these, and that can be painful. But there are plenty of opportunities to meet someone new and start your own.

Along with the ideas above – getting stuck into a community project, seeking refuge and fellowship in the local church, festive socialising with work colleagues and friends – there are even more ways to make new connections that can then be nurtured during the new year. The Christmas period is extremely busy for dating online, especially on Christian Connection when lots of other single Christians set out to make special connections of their own!

However you spend Christmas, whether you find it a happy or a hard time, Christmas is a time for connections and not to be alone. God is with you always, remember that and also remember the true meaning of Christmas.

How will you be trying to connect this Christmas?

Have you enjoyed ‘5 great ways to connect this Christmas’? You might like ‘5 great ways to reclaim your joy at Christmas‘, ‘5 simple ways to make the most of Christmas‘ and ‘Single at Christmas? 4 rewarding things to do‘

The Christmas season is a time for connection, reconnection and new connections. For most of us, it’s a time for being together, for meaningful conversations, and surrounding yourself with the people you love, whether family or friends. A very famous Christmas film opens with clips of connection: people coming home to arrivals at an airport, with joyful connections, hugs, kisses, handshakes, seeing old friends, new friends, loved ones, which fills the viewer with warmth. If you’re wondering how to connect this Christmas, here are some simple ways.

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Author: Hannah Grace

1st December 2023

Enjoy the season of hopeful waiting this Advent

First of all, in Advent, there is a looking back, as well as a looking forward. We look back as we celebrate Christmas – celebrating Christ’s first coming into this world as a baby. But we also look forward to the day He will come again, to take us to be with Him. In the same way, as you take some time to reflect during this season, you can look back on God’s faithfulness and goodness to you, and reflect with hopeful waiting on what is to come.

Things may not be exactly how you want them, or how you hoped they would be, but there will be many things you can thank God for and be grateful for. For example, what prayers has He answered? What friendships has He blessed you with? What lessons have you learnt, even from the difficult experiences? The Bible says that in everything we should give thanks. So, as you look back on what God has done in your life, why not take some time to thank Him for the good and the not so good?

You can also look forward in the waiting, sure that God has something in the works. The great thing about waiting on God is that we’re not waiting on someone who can’t keep his word, or someone who doesn’t quite know what they’re doing. Just like Christians all around the world are waiting in expectation for the Christmas season, and even more importantly, the second coming of Christ, we can wait in expectation for God to turn things around in our lives.

And we can wait with confidence because He has a track record of keeping His word. Perhaps you’re waiting for God to answer your prayer about meeting that special someone, or you’re believing for your relationship to move to the next level, or something completely different. Remember that you’re not alone, and those desires that you have are good desires. In this Advent season, the key to waiting is to wait patiently.

We all know that waiting is not easy and that’s why we need patience, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, in our lives. We all know that Christmas is on the 25th of December but sometimes we still find it difficult to wait for that day to come! It is even more difficult waiting when we don’t know if what we’re waiting for will happen, or indeed, when it will happen.

But the good news is that we can still trust God in the waiting, because He never fails us. Just as we know that Jesus will keep His word about coming back one day, we can also trust that God will keep His word to meet all our needs, to never leave or forsake us, and to work all things together for our good.

So, how do we wait patiently? Firstly, we hold on to God’s word and His promises. Reading the Bible and noting God’s promises to you as a child of God can help when the waiting is proving difficult. Take some time out this Advent season to read your Bible.

Secondly, we wait thankfully and with praise in our hearts. Thank God for what He has already done, and praise Him for what you believe He is going to do. There is a saying that goes, ‘whilst waiting for God to open the door, praise Him in the hallway!’. Make praising God a regular activity in your life.

Thirdly, wait prayerfully. In Luke chapter 2, we read about two people, a man named Simeon and a woman named Anna, who were both waiting to see the Lord’s Messiah. The Bible says in verse 37 that Anna never left the temple, but worshipped day and night, praying and fasting. In the end, both she and Simeon were rewarded when they met the baby Jesus. So, wait prayerfully, and trust God to keep His word to you.

This Advent season, I pray that you experience the love, peace and joy of God as you wait expectantly for Him.

What does hopeful waiting look like for you this Advent?

Enjoyed reading ‘Advent: Enjoying the season of hopeful waiting’? Why not explore the season further with ‘What Advent teaches us about hope‘, ‘Prepare for love, joy and peace this Advent‘ and ‘Let’s reflect and expect this Advent‘

As we enter the Advent season, what should our focus be? According to modern Christian thought, Advent is the season of reflective preparation for Christ’s nativity at Christmas and Christ’s expected return in the Second coming. Whilst we may now see Advent as a season that serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth, originally there was little connection between Advent and Christmas. By the 6th century, Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ, but the coming they had in mind was his second coming in the clouds, as judge of the world. The Advent season was not explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas until the Middle Ages. So, how does this history lesson relate to you, as a single Christian today and what could hopeful waiting look like?

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Author: Urenna Kiwanuka