Blooming Where You're Planted: Dating, Lilies, and Apple Trees

​Song of Solomon is a beautiful, poetic book that celebrates love in all its stages.  While it's often interpreted allegorically, it also offers rich imagery that can speak to the joys and challenges of human relationships, including dating.  Let's look at Song of Solomon 2:1-6 and see what it might say about navigating the dating scene.
 
The young woman compares herself to a "spring crocus blooming on the Sharon Plain, the lily of the valley."  This image speaks to the beauty and uniqueness of each individual.  In the dating world, it's easy to get caught up in comparisons, feeling like we need to be someone we're not to attract attention.  But this verse reminds us that our inherent worth and beauty are enough. We are each a unique flower, blooming where we're planted.
 
The young man responds kindly, calling her "like a lily among thistles." This acknowledges that the dating world can be thorny!  There are disappointments, awkward encounters, and sometimes even hurt.  But amidst the thistles, her beauty and purity shine even brighter.  It's a reminder that we shouldn't let the negativity of some experiences discourage us from seeking genuine connection.
 
The woman then compares her beloved to "the finest apple tree in the orchard."  This speaks to the importance of finding someone who nourishes us, someone whose presence brings joy and strength.  "I sit in his delightful shade and taste his delicious fruit," she says.  A good relationship should be a source of refreshment and growth, where we feel safe and cherished.  It's not about superficial attraction but finding someone whose character and values provide deep and lasting sustenance.
 
Verse 4 depicts being pursued and cherished: "He escorts me to the banquet hall; it's obvious how much he loves me."  This speaks to the importance of intentionality in dating.  It's not enough to "hang out."  Meaningful relationships are built on communication, shared experiences, and a clear demonstration of care and affection.  We should look for someone who values us and makes us feel special.
 
The next verse, "Strengthen me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, for I am weak with love," acknowledges the vulnerability of opening our hearts to someone.  Dating can be emotionally taxing.  It's okay to admit when we're feeling vulnerable or overwhelmed.  It's also a reminder that healthy relationships offer support and comfort during these times.  We should be with someone who builds us up, not tears us down.
 
Finally, the woman says, "His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me." This beautiful image speaks to a loving relationship's security and intimacy.  It's a picture of being held, protected, and cherished.  We should ultimately seek this in a partner – someone who offers emotional safety and unwavering support.
 
Dating can be a journey of self-discovery, a process of learning what we value in a partner and what we bring to a relationship.  Like the woman in Song of Solomon, may we approach dating with an awareness of our beauty and worth, seeking someone who nourishes our soul and cherishes us as unique individuals.