Do you believe the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach? If it’s true, romance would be rather simple. But it comes down to a lot more than the ultimate chocolate chip cookie or a comforting chicken pot pie (although those don’t hurt …).  Since this is the week of Valentine’s Day, it seems fitting to unlock the mystery of how to gain a man’s affection, how to stir up his love, and how to win his heart. In a word … how to WOO him.

For the answer to this question women have asked since Eve dressed in her finest skins for a lifetime out of the garden with Adam, I turn to the book of love: The Song of Solomon. Unlike books of law or wisdom, the Song of Songs shares the story of two lovers with mutual desire for each other. Despite the fact that her girlfriends act like a chorus throughout the book and chime in with comments, including their admiration for Mr. Right, the couple anticipates and enjoys what it is to be in love. Though scholars debate the identity of the characters and the underlying meanings, there’s no doubt this is a love story. It’s a girls’ guide to how to win a man’s heart.

If you really want a lesson in WOO 101, you’ll read the book of Song of Solomon, but let me give you a glimpse to inspire you in this week of love. Listen to some of the lovers’ own words. They reveal how to win a man’s heart.

How to win a man’s heart

• “I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not.” (Song of Solomon 3:2b) ~ This dilemma of how to woo the one you love is nothing new. Once love stirs your heart, pursue it to find its home.
• “You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.” (Song of Solomon 4:9) ~ When wooing or being wooed, the eyes reveal our heart and invite love in return. Our eyes reveal our heart and communicate our intent. 
• “His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” (Song of Solomon 5:16) ~ When wooing works, it’s based on honesty. True loves knows the loved one as a friend, as well as a lover.
• “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.” (Song of Solomon 7:10) ~ When a man woos a woman and she returns his desire, love leads to a decision to give yourself away. To fall in love is to offer yourself to another.

This ancient love story reveals still-relevant truths about modern men falling in love.

4 things to know about WOOing a man

• A man loves to be pursued.
• A man looks for a woman to desire him.
• A man longs to be a friend & lover.
• A man listens for a woman to give of herself.

Whether you’ve found the man of your dreams or still find yourself wondering if he just sat down by you at the coffee shop, God wired men to respond to our “wooing.”  If you’ve walked the aisle and call yourself a “Mrs.” then DON’T STOP WOOING your guy! He still loves to be pursued, still looks for you to desire him, still longs to be your friend and lover, and still listens for your willingness to give of yourself.

And if you’re looking for Mr. Right, hold out for a man who will woo you and be wooed. To be your beloved’s and to know his desire is for you will be worth the wait.

And since it’s the week of LOVE, I would love to invite you to be sure you’ve followed the Come Have a Peace page on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter or Pinterest. Of course, make sure you’re signed up for the monthly Come Have a Peace newsletter. It’s a little extra peace from me to you, and it includes content exclusively for newsletter subscribers. Love ya!