CSW Book Review: The Plural Thing
Spiritually Preparing for Your Soul Mate

As the publisher of a website dedicated to Christian single women, I am always looking for information and resources to enlighten, educate and encourage single women. In that search I stumbled across Linda Dominique Grosvenor. She is not only the author of The Plural Thing but also the founder of ThePluralThing.com (an online community) and LoveBetterCamp.com (blog), that assists both couples and singles to learn how to avoid counterfeits, love better and marry well.

Linda offers lots of information via several mediums so this review is the first of a few lessons I’ve gleaned to share with each of you. So for those of you looking for a resource to help you prepare for marriage, take heed.

The subtitle (spiritually preparing for your soul mate) is actually my favorite part of the title because it is not only my goal to be spiritually prepared for my husband, but also to help you be spiritually prepared for your husband as well.

I am amazed that someone could write such an inspiring work at such a low point in their life (or at least the revised edition). You see the author revised this book while going through a divorce. I can’t imagine enduring the pain of divorce, but I doubt seriously that I would have the desire to write about preparing for marriage while mine was falling apart. Well thank goodness Linda heeded God’s voice and completed the book. Considering all the obstacles she faced and overcame, I think it’s safe to say this book was meant to be.

I believe it’s important to understand what the author is attempting to convey rather than making a lot of assumptions so I found the is/is not statements in the front of the book quite helpful. Linda clearly articulated that the book is Not intended to be:

• a roadmap to find Mr. Right

• a blueprint to persuade him to marry you

• about playing games

• a guide to where to find men

However, on the same token she clearly articulates that the book is:

• to help you line up with what God has for you

• a tool to break down the process of men and women in relationships

• to help you move from where you are spiritually to where you want to be

• to help you uncover wrong thinking

• to help you get your act together before bringing someone else into the picture and

• to help you recognize warning signs

The author accurately describes so many of us when she states that we praise God in church, but keep Him out of other areas of our lives. However she also highlights the unfortunate reality that though most singles battle the same feelings of loneliness and insecurity, we are most often uncomfortable admitting it because we know we will not likely find comfort.

Nevertheless, she doesn’t leave you there in that hopeless state. Though the author may come off as a bit “preachy” to some, I attribute that to her passion to see others make positive change in their lives. You can almost feel her passion leap off the page as you read her words and her advice is spot on.

This book is filled with sound advice that every single can benefit from. A few of my favorite pieces of advice from this book include:

• “It’s not the man that makes you complete, God does.”

• “If God doesn’t choose your mate, the enemy will.”

• “Do you want chasing down a doctor to be what you tell God you did with your life?”

• “Your life starts at birth, not at the altar.”

• “Don’t pick a man with your eyes, pick him with your spirit because a man you pick with your eyes will entertain you visually, but the man you pick with your spirit will love you with the will of God.”

• “Don’t let the wrong person ruin you for the right person.”

This is only a sampling, but this book is really all about getting your spiritual house in order. The author recommends certain activities to help you in this endeavor like, writing a "Dear John" letter to facilitate healing of past relationships, the importance of self reflection or how to avoid the counterfeits. If you’re really ready to begin preparing for your husband, click here to get your copy of The Plural Thing.

And be sure to connect with Linda online at ThePluralThing.com

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