I took the plunge. I did what I never thought I would do. Not that there’s anything wrong with using a Christian Internet dating service. I just never thought I would have to take advantage of one. Actually, I didn’t know at the time that I was registering.

 

One day I was surfing the web and came across a well-known service that advertised a free in-depth personality profile. I began to answer the questions, thinking it would be a short survey of 20-25 questions. Thirty minutes later, the survey was only 75% complete. I continued though, mostly out of curiosity as to how I would be described.

 

It turned out to be a glowing account, proclaiming I had a strong feeling of optimism (I just had a friend tell me I was negative), was a natural communicator, had a contagious enthusiasm and was poised, confident and persuasive. Reading my own profile made me wonder about the validity of other’s profiles. At any rate, the account made me feel good about myself.

 

          For some reason, after spending over an hour at the site, I felt like I was doing something sneaky, something I didn’t want anybody to find out about. I left the site and turned off my computer for the day. I wasn’t ready to subject myself to an Internet meat market.

 

          The next day eight e-mails appeared in my in-box all with the same subject heading: “We have a match for you.” Feeling like a kid who has just discovered her wrapped Christmas presents, I opened the first e-mail and read, “Sam is a 42-year-old from Lewisburg, Missouri. Click here for more information.”

 

I felt mischievous and excited. It was thrilling to think that there were Christian men who were actually serious about finding a mate. One by one, I opened the e-mails and clicked for more information. I read about James, a 44-year-old radio anchor who can’t live without Jesus, friends, music, great food or the beauty of nature. Bill, 41, whose three best life skills include using humor to make friends laugh, being a good friend and sharing his beliefs through teaching, participation and example.

 

          I quickly learned the in's and out’s of this dating process. I could accept up to ten matches at a time, then put them ‘on hold’ or ‘close communication’ permanently, all with a click of the mouse and at no cost. If, however, I wanted to ‘begin communication’ with any one of the candidates (and see their pictures), I would need to put my money where my mouth was – or in this case where my heart was: $50 for one month, 3 months for $75 or $250 for a year.

 

          I had always been leery of internet dating services in the past because of some irrational fear that a serial killer impersonating a Christian who, after a year of e-mails and phone calls, comes to visit and ends the romantic dinner by strangling me with his tie. But these men seemed so sincere.

 

A 44-year-old pastor wrote, “As much as I think, analyze and gravitate to the intellect, deep pools of emotion in my soul long to be stirred, stroked and shared mutually with a woman.” A website designer and worship leader whose friends describe him as funny, energetic, intelligent and creative wrote, “I’m a good man with a true desire to serve the Lord.”

 

          Their honesty surprised me. A father of three said, “I’ve got three girls that live primarily with me and I don’t picture moving out of this area until my 8-year-old has graduated from high school.” Stan, a 42-year-old business owner from New York wrote he wished more people would notice that he’s a good kisser.

 

          I found myself much more guarded in my answers than they were. In response to the question, “What is something only your best friends know?” I decided that the only type of exclusive information my best friends knew had to do with my negative qualities and I certainly wasn’t willing to divulge such potentially compromising material. So I wrote, “That’s why only my best friends know.” In spite of their sincerity I figured there still might be a serial killer among them.

 

          The age range, which is set by the service, presented a problem for me. Because I was 41, candidates could be anywhere between 37 and 54. As a result, despite interests, occupations and passions, it was easy to remove from the list with a click of the mouse men who were 8, 10 or even 14 years older than I. As soon as I read, “Gabe, a 50-year-old…” I didn’t need to read anymore. Click. ”Sam, a 54-year-old publicist...” Stop. Click. There were other men who were easy to click away for various reasons. “I’m a simple man, don’t talk much and just bought 10 acres of land.” Click. This was becoming as much fun as being “The Bachelorette.”

 

          The most interesting match of the first few days was a salesman from Wheaton, Illinois. I had planned on putting him ‘on hold’ since I was going out of town for a month when I received a message from him: “Closed Communication.” He had clicked me! Of the 15 matches I’ve received so far, only one has requested communication with me. He’s 5’6”. I’m convinced the only reason he is interested in me is because I’m four inches shorter than he is.

 

A 44-year-old pastor from Chicago who is most passionate about “living life to the full as a pastor and as an active citizen with a zeal for truth and freedom in America” seemed to have great potential until I read his in-depth profile that contained statements that seemed surprisingly similar. “Because of a need not to avoid confrontation, you may not express an opinion.” “You do not like to make waves.” “In some new situations, you may become somewhat unsure because of your need to feel secure in most situations.” Over half of the statements about him could have been summarized with one word: PASSIVE.

 

          I have put ‘on hold’ ten matches spread out over the U.S. They are men who love Jesus, are lonely and want a wife. Of them all, I’d probably be most interested in finding out more about a bronze sculptor who is looking for a woman who is “humble to God’s Word, actively working on a relationship with Him yet passionate and affectionate with her mate.”

 

          One thing is for sure: as opposed to the men I’ve dated in the past, these men are serious about finding a mate and getting married. All I have to do is pay and click.

 

Let’s hope the bronze sculptor doesn’t wear ties.