Pure.

Today, my friends, is the National Day of Purity.

*scripture from matthew 5:8


You may not know about this little "holiday" but several years ago, when I was in my teen years, I heard about the day of purity. It was a project started here: Day of Purity.
Supported by schools and churches mostly, the movement seeks to bring awareness to purity and to share the beauty of purity with young people. When I was a teen, I remember the movement encouraged us to wear white on February 13 or sign their purity pledge.

I think it is a highly underrated project and want to point it out to you because purity is so close to my heart and part of the heartbeat of this blog.

Valentine's Day is tomorrow. And before you jump headfirst into chocolate, red roses, romantic dinners, and sappy songs (or fall headfirst into a lonely abyss of the lack thereof, ha!) just think about this - whether you are married or single, I encourage you to think about purity. If you're a mama with a hunky husband and 3 babies, if you'll be holding hands with your new love tomorrow and enjoying a candlelit dinner or if you're a single girl wondering where on earth is my man and what is the Lord doing?! Consider purity. Of heart, mind, body.

At age 13 when I first began thinking about purity and praying for my future husband - I read this in the Bible:

"She does him (her husband)

good and not harm

all the days of her life."

-Proverbs 31:12

I honestly believe with all my heart that this means God wants us to love our husbands (or if you're a guy reading, your future wife!) all the days of our lives. That means the days before you are married. On our wedding day. And all the days you are married.

I know this kind of stance is radical in our world, and I know that not everyone’s situation is the same, we all have different stories. I certainly have not walked this out perfectly, we all make mistakes. And I believe that with Christ there are new beginnings and fresh starts. There is hope and forgiveness in Jesus.

Today, please take a few minutes to pray and think about purity.

"But among you there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people."

-Ephesians 5:3.

If you're single and still waiting, pray for the "one" the Lord will someday bring into your life. Ask God to save your heart and purity for "him" and to keep your man (whoever he may be...) pure and protected.

If you are dating someone you think may be the "the one", be careful. Guard your purity (and his) and do not yet presume that his body belongs to you and yours to him. Love him by protecting his purity. (As hard as this can be while dating....)

If you are married to the love of your life, ask God to help you to be faithful to the covenant and vows you made to your husband on the day of your wedding.

Whether our relationship status is single, married, dating, or "it's complicated", purity is a precious and valuable. Commit your heart to the Lord. He gives strength and grace, He gives forgiveness for mistakes made. Ask Him for purity. After all, He is purity itself.

"I am doing the very best I can, and I'm doing it at home, where it counts.

I refuse to take a second look at corrupting people and degrading things."

-Psalm 101:2-3 (the message)

Stay strong and believe God is big and strong enough to give us grace to pursue a life of purity.

In the face of a world that shoves impurity and lust in our faces all day long,
 I am praying that you and I will embrace purity today.
Knowing that even when we make mistakes and fall, His grace is there to pick us up time and time again.

 Oh how sweet is our God.

XO

Erin