BY RENEE ALKINS

SINGLEHOOD SHOULDN’T BE spent moping around waiting for “Mr. Right.” It should be an exciting and forward- moving season. When else can a woman devote 100 percent of her time to developing herself? Certainly not after getting married and having kids! Now is the time (before joint accounts and joint decisions) to invest in a more amazing you. Start by tackling this list of “should dos” before you say “I do.”

YOU SHOULD... seek God
Psalm 32:8 states, “I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress” (Living Bible). That means, it’s important to talk to God about His vision for your life. God’s roadmap will dictate the type of man you marry, and whether you marry at all. It’s amazing how many women marry “Mr. Right Now,” without considering God’s long-term vision for their lives. If God has designed you to go east, you shouldn’t marry someone who is called to only go west.

YOU SHOULD... pay off your debt
Financial stress is a leading cause of divorce, so why take bad money habits into a marriage? While single, pay off your credit cards. Turn off the cable, pack your lunch, use coupons, skip the latte, take the train, and do whatever else you can to pay off your debt. Proverbs 18:22 teaches, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing” (English Standard Version). And we all know that credit card debt is far from good.

YOU SHOULD... purge your baggage
A husband isn’t the cure for your broken heart or daddy issues. Those emotional hang-ups should be dealt with before marriage. 1 Peter 5:7 encourages, “Since God cares for you, let Him carry all your burdens and worries” (The Voice). Your future husband isn’t supposed to be your therapist or surrogate father. If taken into a relationship, those unrealistic expectations can poison a union before it begins. Take an honest look in the emotional mirror, and deal with your baggage. Marriage is about two whole people becoming one.