As an active Southern Baptist all her life, Nicole Wilkinson has been a helper through mission trips and community volunteering. When she began to invest in her own health in March 2008 with weight loss and smoking cessation, she shed 100 pounds and gained 100 experiences worth sharing.  Her weight loss unveiled a new world for her but what kind of world is it for a Christian single? Follow her journey and find some roadmaps of your own. Nicole is an art professor in the North Carolina Community College system and lives in Wilmington with her two fat cats.

Psalm 37:3-5

Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

I will tell you a secret.  The single Christians are everywhere. I went to Starbucks for my morning coffee and had just prayed about writing this article.  I asked God to give me a clear way of presenting my message and to make sure that I was full of ideas and encouraging to my readers. After getting my coffee, I sat down and started to write this article.  I looked up, and there on the side of the coffee cup was a message and a quick and clear answer to my prayer.  On the side of the Starbucks cup, it read,

“The Way I See It #141.

 I use to feel so alone in the city.  All those gazillions of people and then me, on the outside.  Because how do you meet a new person?  I was very stumped by this for many years.  And then I realized, you just have to say, ‘Hi.’  They may ignore you.  Or you may marry them.  And that possibility is worth that one word.”

So get out into the world and start saying, “Hello”!!!!

1. Church-  Yes, this is the best place to start your search.  If you are not a member of a church, find one you like that has a strong singles Sunday school group and join.  Nothing better than dating someone who shares the same values and religious convictions.
2. Hobbies-  If you like politics join your local North Carolina Young Republicans/Democrats group.  They have meetings and events where you will meet people with similar interests.  Do you enjoy sports?  Sign up for a recreational sports team through the local community center.  There are co-ed soccer, basketball, tennis and volleyball teams found in most cities.  Do you like animals?  Volunteer for your local no-kill animal shelter.  If you dive more into the interests YOU like, you will meet someone at one of these venues that shares your interests.
3. Online- We have become a world dependent on technology so why would dating be any different?  There are many dating sites, regular and Christian centered that would be a great place to meet others online that could result in a date.  I don’t plug many products or services, but I will say that through www.meetup.com  I was able to join and run a young professional singles group in Wilmington that allowed me to meet over 50 new people in a month.  This led to new contacts, friends, and dates.  I also joined a Girls Night Out group through Meetup and met many married women who hooked me up with their husband’s single friends.  Many cities have Meetup groups and you can join the group particular to your interests.
4. Business Events-  Over the past 3 months, I have attended local business seminars, Chamber of Commerce Events, real estate parties and B2B networking events.  All of these events were free and I found them on the online local community calendars.  I went armed with my business cards and representing the art gallery where I work and at the end of 3 months, had made 2 substantial contacts that led to first dates, not to mention all of the networking contacts I made.
5. Grocery Store-  We all go there.  Who says you have to go in sweat pants and old tennis shoes?  Last night I was at an upscale grocery store around 8pm on a Saturday night.  Since it was date night, who would think you would see so many single people in a grocery store?  I met 2 guys in 45 minutes.  The first was a developer and building a new home community nearby and the second was in scrubs and I asked him “Are you a nurse at the new health center next door and how business?”  He answered, “No, I am a neurosurgeon and live out here because I like living in the country”.  So guess where I will be next Saturday at 8pm?  Single people work and have to go run errands after work, so think about those things when you are going to run your errands and make sure you have pressed your shirt!
6. Coffee Shop-  Every morning at 9am on the dot, I am my local coffee shop.  Almost everyday, I see the same faces.  This has become part of a community and we recognize each other.  There has always been a cute face I have seen on a regular basis and I always strike up conversation.  The other night I was out with friends for dinner and this cute face walked up to my table.  After introducing him as the coffee guy, we exchanged numbers and have a date planned for next week. 
7. Waiting Areas- No one likes to sit and wait at the bank for the next available banker, sit and wait at the doctor’s office, or wait an hour for a tire rotation and oil change, but these are great opportunities to meet someone.  Everyone is sitting idle waiting and looking for entertainment, thus all of those old worn out magazines.  So last week, I went into my car dealership to get an oil change and tire rotation and look out!  The cutest boy was sitting in there all alone and it was going to just be me and him.  I took this opportunity to ask him how long he had been waiting, ask about himself, and crack a few jokes.  By the end of the hour, we felt like we were old friends.  He asked for my card and called last night.  We are going out next week.

As you can see, there really isn’t one place to meet someone.  When you are happy with yourself, others can see it, and it shines from within.  Do what YOU love, and you will meet someone that shares the same passions and interests.  Don’t get discouraged; keep your eyes peeled, and start saying, “Hi!”

To read more about Nicole's dating journey, CLICK HERE!!!!!!!!