Choosing a marriage partner is important. Do not joke about it. Some make mistakes. Making this important choice should not be trivialized. Stephen Leacock said, “A man in love with a dimple makes the mistake of marrying the whole girl.” if you love just the dimple why do you have to marry the whole person?
It is true some people just marry because of a simple dimple, how the person walks, talks or based on other physical features they see in their partners. Some even choose partners when they have limited experience with each other. A leading Christian author, Ellen White gave this advice on a mate selection: Great care should be taken by Christian youth in the formation of friendships and in the choice of companions.
Take heed, lest what you now think to be pure gold turns out to be base metal. Worldly associations tend to place obstructions in the way of your service to God, and many souls are ruined by unhappy unions, either business or matrimonial, with those who can never elevate or ennoble.
Examine carefully to see if your married life would be happy or inharmonious and wretched. Let the questions be raised, Will this union help me heavenward? Will it increase my love for God? and will it enlarge my sphere of usefulness in this life? If these reflections present no drawback, then in the fear of God move forward. Singles should be cautious in this important decision in their lives.
This decision of this nature should not be carried out emotionally.” Pause, pray, and plan. Don’t forget this expression: “Mary in haste, repent at leisure.” If you rush through this you suffer its consequences later. Marriage does not run, but if you rush you would be overtaken.
