A Colorado sky, from my friend Merrie.
Well, I guess the time has come to begin the series.
A couple of months ago I felt God nudging me to journal about purity, specifically virginity. I was like, “Seriously?” And God was like, “Yep.”
I have been so excited, humbled, and so many other emotions throughout this experience by the many letters, texts, messages, and conversations I’ve received and had with you all.
I wasn’t sure how God was going to lay it all out, but now I see. The responses have come from high school and college age students, anonymous and not, single, married, divorced, very few virgins, and countless who lost their virginity before marriage. Women were the ones who responded the most, with only a handful of men. The way things seem to be flowing, it’s still not too late to send me your thoughts. I would LOVE to hear more stories so this could be as real of a testimony as one can get without revealing any names. (Totally confidentiality.)
So, here’s the plan (at least that’s the other nudge I’m getting from God right now): There will be a series of “Letters to my younger self”. The responses were so overwhelming and diverse, one journal entry wasn’t going to cut it. Even though the ages and stories were diverse, there was a common thread that appeared to be weaved through them all.
This morning three various places in scripture were laid before me:
“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Luke 1:26-28
“Remember what happened long ago. Remember, I am God and there is no other God. There is no other like Me.” Isaiah 46:9
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
When I read these, it was as if the Lord said, “Now is the time.”
So I hope that over the next couple of weeks that you will stay tuned, share, continue to send me your stories, and pray. Two things that this series has, and desiring continuation of, is being bathed in prayer and being transparent.
I pray many blessings and much JOY for you! Have a wonderful day. – Stephanie