My place to write about special needs (particularly autism and sensory integration issues), families spread out over larger age ranges, homeschooling children previously in public schools, and anything else that might cross my mind.
("safe code" for writing about my children: 1B5 = firstborn, boy, age 5)
I have no real title for this entry, once again I have let months slide by without keeping up on this wonderful blog. Please do take the time to read through old entries if you are here visiting. You may have found me through my book with The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC ("Dreams and Designs") or through my daughter's book "The Risen, the Chosen, and the Dark: The Dawn of It All" --either way, I hope you will take the time to get to know me a bit.
I am looking for thoughts on reaching young people about purity. I've begun work on a possible article about purity and the call to fathers in giving away their daughters. We have survived the wedding of our oldest, and it was a glorious day. She was simply beautiful and their love for each other really did radiate from them and encompassed the entire ceremony. We could not be happier.
I am thankful for her innocence and their excitement in looking toward their honeymoon--it is sadly so rare today. In this society it is almost expected that young women would be promiscuous. It is as if it is "a given" that virgins no longer exist, that it is too difficult to stay pure until marriage, and that it really isn't worth it to do so. Isn't that just sad? And it is so terribly wrong.
My savior, Jesus Christ, is truly amazing and a miracle worker. My God can forgive all things, but this does not mean that we can afford to teach our children impurity is acceptable on any level, or that they can err in this area and then simply seek repentance. So how do we keep them on the straight and narrow? Our 2G18 is another young woman I am praying desperately will make the right decisions and remain pure until her wedding night. And then our next three children are all boys. I want to know there will be young women out there for them, who find it valuable to retain their virginity and sense of innocence until married.
I would love to hear your thoughts on purity. How can fathers teach their daughters to remain pure until the moment they give them to their groom? What should we be doing as mothers to be an example to our daughters and other young women of purity and modesty? How do we teach our sons and daughters to seek innocence in others when seeking a partner for life? And what influence can we have on the friends of our children to help them stay focused on keeping themselves until marriage?
I have to say that first and foremost, it HAS to start at home. I think the more positive focus that is put on this subject the better. By positive focus, I mean talking about the benefits of "waiting."
Of course, all of the reasons should be backed by scripture. But, if scripture is not a normal focus in general, it might not mean much. So, what I am saying is that scripture is important from day one. If a child is use to growing up living scripture, and pleasing God, then it would not be as hard to follow His command. But, if suddenly the Bible were brought out and scripture was then read and preached about, it would seem only like a threat. And, more importantly, the Bible might then become something the child will avoid like the plague.
With that being said, I also think that our culture has a lot of negetive pressure on this subject. I don't think I need to back my opinion up here, because it is very obvious. This is where I think homeschooling comes into play. It gives us much better control of what our children are exposed to. If we are able to "arm" them with morals, values, and the truths of scripture, then I think later being exposed to these cultural "idea" would be less threatening. The child's ideas about the subject would already be strong and in place.
I feel very strongly about this subject. I feel even more strongly about the importance of teaching scripture to our children. I grew up in a loving family. My parents believe in God, and that Jesus is our saviour, but I was not raised learning the truths of the Bible. I have to add, too, that my parents did say to "wait." But, it was not good enough.
I won't go into great detail here, but I need to add the reason I care so much. I was not quite 15 when I wish I had this "armour" in my heart. Because of one horrible night, I ended up with a lot of years that included mental and emotional torture. I am now about to be 35 years old, and I am just barely able to move past all of this.
I am so happy to hear you are preparing to write something on this topic. I can't wait to read it!
