Wait For Me

There's a song I know well.

It begins,

"Darling,

did you know that I dream about you?

Waiting for the look in your eyes when we meet for the first time. Darling,

did you know that I pray about you? Praying that you will hold on.... Keep your loving eyes only for me.

Cause I am waiting for, praying for you, Darling.

Wait for me too..."

{you can find the song on my playlist below}

It's about waiting.

(Something we girls don't really like to do. It's definitely not fun.)

Written by a beautiful girl who dreamed of her future husband, whoever he may be.

The "one" she asked God to bring into her life, at the perfect time.

The one she saved her purity for.

Her name is Rebecca & she is one of my role models.

Well over 10 years after writing and singing this song,

she married the handsome man of her dreams.

And she was a virgin.

(and so was he)

{photo via Rebecca St. James' Facebook page

edited by me}

I am still waiting for MY man.

I have worn a purity ring since I was 13.

I have prayed for him every day since then.

And I haven't met him yet.

I don't share this with you to rub it in your face. I know this is a message many people don't even want to hear. I share because it is one of the CLOSEST passions to my heart.

TLC's new show "The Virgin Diaries" has alot of people talking, and watching. Yes, I've seen the YouTube video kiss (and yes, it was awkward!) I've not watched alot of the show, and I don't know the hearts of those involved or those producing it. Yet, something about parading virginity around like it is a freak-show type novelty, a "Hoarders: Buried Alive" sort of ridiculous and weird wonder, a sampling of a small portion of society who we can all watch, mock, and laugh at.... is a sad testimony to where we are in our culture. Sad (to me) because 95% of people out there do not understand the value and beauty of purity.

Purity is beautiful.

Valuable.

Precious.

A gift.

In the Bible, God says:

"Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband.

God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex."

{Hebrews 13:4, The Message}

and

"...Keep yourself pure."
{1 Timothy 5:22}

Marriage and sex are sacred. Not something to be mocked. I'm not trying to make a big deal out of this TV show, or blow it out of proportion. Sadness hit me, though, as I viewed this new show and saw many people's responses to it - joking, laughing, tearing down purity.

Making purity look like the most "un-cool", awkward, dorky thing one can embrace.

When in God's eyes, it is PRECIOUS, special, and the best way we can walk.

"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."

{Hebrews 13:4}

I fear The Virgin Diaries takes such a small & (shall we say) unique group of people who do have these convictions or lifestyle, which misrepresents a greater portion of us who have committed to virginity and purity. Causing people to have a narrow, misrepresented view of those who are saving sex for marriage.

What kind of message is this sending to our young people?

Purity is a hard road, and one not without mistakes along the way.

But our God is a God of second chances, new beginnings, fresh starts.

So what if a couple wants to save their first kiss for their wedding day? They should be applauded and encouraged! Not laughed at. Not every couple has those convictions and that's okay, I'm not saying that everyone should save their first kiss for their wedding day. But I can tell you this - I know some very normal couples who have chosen to save their first kiss for their wedding day (and everything else after that!) and they tell me - it was beautiful, sweet, special, precious, not awkward and WORTH IT. What a far cry from STDs, unwanted pregnancies, divorces, and broken relationships that can come from sex before marriage.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post, my heart.

I pray it encourages you, wherever you may be.

Half-way down the long road of waiting, struggling with

"is it worth it? am I the only one?"

YOU'RE NOT.

Not only is Jesus on our side, but thousands of other young people are too. (And you never know, maybe you're "Darling" is out there, standing ..waiting with you) If you are a married lady, may you encourage the young ones in your life to wait. And maybe you have some words of wisdom for us single gals... How did you know your prince charming was "the one"?

Bottom line?

Love, sex, romance, relationships, marriage, purity... a precious gift from God. Not to be mocked or made fun of, but treasured as the precious gift it is.

"Do not let anyone look down on your because you are young,

but set an example for the believers

in speech, in love, in faith and in purity."

{1 Timothy 4:12}

Love is PATIENT

{1 Cor. 13:4}