The 'Good' Girl

Being born into a Christian family, I was very much so sheltered from the world. Throughout my childhood, the only source of worldly knowledge was school. At 11, I began to make radical discoveries about the opposite sex. 1

Being infatuated with the same guy from preschool to the end of elementary school, gave me a sense of false hope. When I discovered my first love wasn’t who I thought he was, I was in for a surprise. I was used to giggling over him for years with my best friend late at night. That was now gone. 2

I soon quickly went from schoolgirl crushes to going from guy to guy. The summer when I was 12, I went on vacation with my family. I came face to face with a guy I hadn’t seen in nearly five years. It didn’t take long for me to fall head over heels for him. We spent most of that week together. He was the first guy I had held hands with romantically. By the time I had to fly back home, it was heart wrenching to leave. Promises to always keep in touch, soon evaporated. We were two different teenagers who simply had different lives across the country, nothing more than that.3

My parents persuaded me to read Joshua Harris’ new book, “I kissed Dating Goodbye”. I willingly read it, but secretly pooh-poohed most of it. I thought it was impossible to not love a guy. Throughout the next year, guys came and went. 4

I had gotten in the groove of always having a massive crush or else I would be labeled a loser. I desperately wanted to be involved with the popular crowd. My two favorite activities were writing and boys. My best friend was always there to see me throughout those times. To this day, I’m very grateful for her words of wisdom and comfort. 5

By my thirteenth birthday, I had planted the seeds for a relationship with God, but it was in severe shape. I had ignored God’s many words of warnings about boys. A few months before my fourteenth birthday, I reread ‘I kissed Dating Goodbye’ and had a shocking revelation. Words that I had ignored before now stood out so vividly. I knew my way of thinking was headed for a total turn around.6

I’m not even going to try and suggest this kind of change happens overnight. At the time, I was still struggling with being distracted by boys. Valentine’s Day 2004, I made a vow in a hotel room at youth camp to take advantage of my single years and live them to the fullest. 7

I have had a purity ring since I was in 4th or 5th grade, but have never really treasured it till now. I now view guys as brothers who need to be respected and cherished in Christ. Since I’ve came to my new church, I’ve gained many brothers and sisters in Christ who I’m very thankful for. I would not trade them for anything. I love them all.8