The Portrait of a Good Person

What does that even mean - being good?  We all have ideas of who we want to marry. Good men and good women. No one wants to marry a drunk, a scumbag, or someone with more question marks than a murder mystery.

But how does that play out into the dating life? Does that just mean we relegate ourselves to just dating the people a few pews over in church? Are good people the plastic ones who have never had to worry about acne, fitting into a pair of jeans, or a bad hair day? The ones who come from good families that wear matching sweater sets in their annual Christmas card photo?

I think a good person is different.

They might not have a squeaky clean record. Grace interrupts our lives at different stages. Forgiveness overtakes everyone at a different point in life. They might carry deep wounds from the past but they are choosing to let Christ heal them. Their hands offer forgiveness because deep in their hearts, they know what it is like to be in desperate need of mercy.

Their family might not be perfect. And really, no family is. Not even yours. Their family will be full of crazy aunts, uncles, and obnoxious siblings that you really don't know how to connect with. There might be a few skeletons hanging in the closet. Let them out to dance every now and then.

Their hearts aren't in “booty calls” or dirty jokes. They know that those are just a cheap imitation of the wild and wonderful gift of sexuality. They get tempted, just like everyone else with a pulse, but they don't revel in sin. Their hearts yearn for the real deal and they will wait for it.

They may not look like what you pictured them to be. They might have acne scars, wear last year's fashions, and have a terrible haircut. But thankfully, they know that their worth isn't tied to how they look. Their hearts are beautiful and it shines through their faces.

A good person knows that they aren't really good. They just happen to be best friends with the One who is. They need a good man or woman to walk in step beside them. To hold their hand, encourage their dreams, and be their traveling buddy in life. To become great, two good people must commit their lives to each other; praying, rebuking, and loving like crazy.

But just like everyone else, a good person needs to know that they are valued. That they are seen for what they are and that they are cherished. They are rare people, but not as rare as the world would have you believe.

When you find one, lavish them with your love.

—Caitlin Muir

Caitlin is a writer who lives in the Hill Country. You can find her online at www.caitlinmuir.com