As I study several books on purity to do a series with my oldest daughter dear friends of ours struggle with the guy/girl thing already.  It can be heartbreaking for the parents and the teens.  Their daughter is 14 the guy she is clinging to is nearly 17.  She is smitten.  Heartstruck.  She probably calls this her "first love".  It's tough sometimes to know where to draw the lines in friendships to keep them from becoming more involved.  And with your tender hearts it can turn from friends to major crush over night or at the end of a long phone conversation.  Such intimacies can be shared in lengthy calls.  Girls love the prospect of being the confidant of some big strong guy that no one else is close too.  Most young girls love to think they have what it takes to bring the big guy out of his shell.  But there is so much danger when the girl begins to think/realize that she knows him like no one else does.  He has told her things he has never told anyone else.  Then at something so innocent as a YOUTH function his hand brushes against hers............... sparks fly.  At the next YOUTH event he holds her hand or puts his arm around her for some reason or other, just for a second.  Now that second is not enough.  They both desire a bit more contact.  Soon hugs are normal.  Hours on the phone become the norm.  UHOH  where did the line blur?!  The parents blinked and now their teen has her heart entertwined with a boy instead of her parents and peers!  Yikes

It all happened so fast.  We think we are prepared BEFORE IT HITS.  Seems we are handling things fine, good boundries, everyone knows the rules, BEFORE IT HITS. 

When my friends realized how attached their daughter was they slamed on the brakes.  She is a good kid.  She is taking it well.  We have chatted alot about it.  I do my best to tell her the parents perspective.  She will be fine.  She says no major kissing or anything happened.  She was totally innocent of love and its draw.  Now she has healing to do.  But I think they both will be fine.  The girl seems to be very willing to obey the new stricter rule of no more conversing with this guy.  I know very little of the guy but he would be a fool not to comply with her father's demands. 

Before it hits

the waters are calm.................

and then it hits.

We as parents have a constant vigil .............................

before it hits.

"It" may be a number of issues in life, friendships, romances, teasing, peer pressure, ect.  Parents have such a task to fully equip their kids before it hits.................

God help us!