purity...

I was blessed to be given the opportunity to pick out a purity ring this past month as a graduation {promoting from my freshman year to my sophomore year} present by my dearest parents. 

I browsed through a few purity rings, but when I saw this one... 

I knew it was created for me. 

And now I am very blessed to have this lovely silver band wrapped around my wedding ring finger.

I was finally able to look up the Scripture inscribed on it which is such a beautiful reminder:

Create in me a clean spirit, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

During this time, I have been working with some public school kids at the water-park, and what an eye-opening experience it has been. And now more than ever, am I grateful to be homeschooled. :) Besides the point, the subject that has been tugging at my thoughts is the topic of:
dating 

Believe me that is probably what fills every person's mind at one point or another.  

All the girls that I work with {a year younger than I} have {and still are} gossiping about who likes who, and about three "so and so's" likes me. My response?


Why does it matter???

To me, dating is a silly game that people play to gain self-confidence. Dating is two people getting together, say you're in love, get tired of them, and break up. Each time I cringe thinking of how many pieces of your heart you give away to the boy you once "dated."

That's why I applaud those who have no choice and do attend public school, attempting to separate themselves and go against the tide whispering for them to do otherwise, with a mindset to keeping themselves pure. Waiting for their Prince Charming; not falling out of the tree for every knight they see pass.

 During these two past week, I've had an eye-opening, insight into what the world is really like. I have been protected by being homeschooled, and I am very glad of it. But I think I have being tested in this area, and putting my years of training to the test.

At camp {water-park} there is a thirteen-year-old boy who has been "chasing" after me.
To-day, more than usual.
What do I do?
Sweetly be nice to him, but don't encourage his flirtation and eloquent words. Reminds me of a chapter I read in Sarah Malley's amazing book Before You Meet Prince Charming:

Feeling confused and a little distressed, my little sister Grace cornered my brother Stephen, saying, "Pleeeease help! This guy keeps following me around and talking to me. It's getting really annoying, and I don't know what to do!" This friendly young man at the conference we were attending kept hanging around our family and talking to Grace, who was fourteen years old at the time. At first Grace just tried to be friendly, but after a few hours of being followed, she was getting rather frustrated. Grace tried everything. She ignored him, but he didn't seem to get the point. Then she sat down and started to read, but he just came right up to her and started a conversation. Grace asked Stephen {this is when I wish I had an older brother :)} to try to distract him, but the young man didn't seem too interested in talking with Stephen. She tried walking around. But whenever she stopped - guess who was right behind her? He was polite, friendly guy who just wanted to be friends, but it was driving Grace nuts. 


{from Chapter 3, page 51 of Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Malley}

Another reason why I love Miss Malley: she has gone through the same situations. Unfortunately, in this scenario this boy hasn't been extremely friendly or even with the best intentions.

 
Then I realize how many young ladies and sisters in Christ are struggling through the same thing. We all have our moments, "Oh, I wished he liked me, or even saw me," then we shake out of are daydream ashamed at  such silly thoughts; sometimes we are entranced by a boy's flirtatious eloquence or kind, sweet smiles, but remember, we all need to keep your focus on Christ. He's the one who has our hearts in His palm, and how grateful I am that I can say,

"I don't need the love of a boyfriend to know that my Heavenly Father loves me more than anyone could in the whole wide world."

Galations 5:16 
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fufill the lust of the flesh.


Now maidens of purity, arise and let us shine our light through this dark world, touching the hearts of aching and lost souls.

Lovingly,

Grace