QUALITIES OF A GREAT PARTNER

1. A HAPPY DISPOSITION - look for a happy, optimistic person. Find
someone who has a sense of humor and can laugh at himself/herself...
True happiness springs from a content heart. Beware of the person who is
only happy when you are around. You're going to get tired of being
responsible for another person's happiness. You could end up feeling guilty when
the person slips into bouts of depression... True happiness is... a part
of a person's character, regardless of the circumstances.

2. THOUGHTFULNESS -... How does your date treat his parents and
yours? Chances are you'll get treated very much the same way. Does he see
things that need to be done and offer to help? Or does he put his own needs
first? Does he open the car door and wait to seat you at the table? Manners
are important- and they seldom get better after marriage.


3. NOT EASILY ANGERED - ... Temper outbursts... can be the
symptom of internal hostility. This hostility is often repressed during courtship
as a person is trying hard to be on his best behavior... Take seriously
any outburst you observe, and check with others who have known this
person in different situations to see if they have noticed this trait... The
way a woman treats her younger brother may be an indication of how she will
treat her husband... Be leery of the person who has not learned to express
his anger in words and instead merely harbors angry feelings in his
heart. Going silent and withdrawing from a loved one because of anger is
unhealthy and damaging to a relationship... Be sure you date a person long
enough to observe how easily he or she becomes angry and how these feelings
are expressed. Ask yourself, "Is this what I want to live with for a
lifetime?"

4. WILLING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS - It's almost impossible to solve
relationship problems by yourself. Marry someone who will be honest enough to
admit being wrong, who doesn't have a habit of blaming others...

5. PURITY - Purity is not just an old-fashioned virtue... it's just
safer to date someone who hasn't played around... At the same time you should
not hold it against a person for past sexual involvement. You cannot
always judge a person's true purity by virginity alone... Mind purity is
equally important. Is your date pure in his thoughts and speech, as
well as behavior? What jokes does he tell? What music does she listen to?
What movies does he watch? What books or magazines does she read? Are they
pure or suggestive? Mind pollution can lead to disrespect of the opposite
sex.

6. TRUTHFUL - Too often couples play games when they are
becoming acquainted... playing games in a relationship is a form of
dishonesty... Marriage isn't a game. It's a serious lifetime commitment. Search your
own feelings and share honestly during your courtship. Be You.

7. GOOD HEALTH HABITS - No one wants to marry a slob - and few
do...Bad health habits are difficult to break. That is why it's best to look
for a person who has already established positive health practices.

8. ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY - Here are some questions that might
detect irresponsibility: ... Does she see things that need to be done and do
them? Does he volunteer to help? Does she get to places on time? Does he
make lame excuses to get out of responsibilities? Does she take her
talents seriously and work to improve her skills? Does he take care of his car
and other personal possessions?... Think about it. Just how responsible is
the person you are dating?

9. GOOD SENSE OF SELF-WORTH - Often in a dating relationship,
individuals with a poor self-esteem glean a sense of value from the person
they're with. They become dependent on them to make them feel good... If you
don't want to live a lifetime having to tiptoe around a person's fragile
ego or having to hold yourself back for fear of how your spouse will react,
then be careful not to get emotionally involved with someone who has a low
sense of self-worth.

10. LIKES CHILDREN - Before marriage you may discuss children, but
unless you're around a lot of children and can observe your date interacting
with them in a wide variety of situations, you really don't have any idea
about how he or she may discipline your children in the future. Seldom do
both parents totally agree on how a child should be raised. Finding someone
who at least likes children is an advantage.

11. A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD - It's very important for a
marriage partner to have a personal relationship with God. Look for someone
who is spiritually sensitive and willing to follow God's law. A
Spirit-filled life is one filled with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22,23). A person who
exhibits these traits is certainly easier to live with than someone who
doesn't... What about your date? If you're interested in a real Christian, make
sure his faith is part of his life twenty-four hours a day.

12. ACCEPTS YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE - True love is unconditional
love... The important question to ask is, "Do I love her faults?" Only when you
can truly love the total person, including all the points and bad habits,
can you accept your mate for who he is and not secretly wish you could
change him.

13. WILLING TO GROW - Good marriage partners grow together. They
encourage each other to maximize their knowledge, skills and
potential... Make sure the person you date seriously is the kind of
person who is open to learning and will make changes when changes need to be
made.

14. AFFECTIONATE - The ability to express love through words and
actions is vital for an intimate love relationship... look for tender words, acts
and touches that are given naturally and "appropriately" throughout the
day, and not just in private.

from jed mendoza daw....Ü