Promises, promises...

Let me just say that I had one heck of a day. Whoa.

My whole day was clearly ordained by God.
I got my mental workout at school, physical workout at ballet, and a spiritual workout at a Bible Study (Beth Moore's Breaking Free - SO good). Anyway, I feel like I have just ran a marathon... to top that off, each activity was coherent to the others in one particular way.

Promise rings.

Teenworks was great. However, one of my friends (he's older than I) was harping on another guy for wearing a promise ring.
Usually, I will fly into a passionate conversation and stand up for the person being picked on (the mistreatment of others is absolutely intolerable to me). But today, I was in a daze and practically zoned out of the conversation. All I did was listen (I feel bad about that now).
I was just thinking how absurd it was for an older Christian guy to say something like that. I lost a lot of respect for him today.
With that being said, I definitely kept thinking about this topic all day.

Promise rings had never really been a source of interest among my friends. It rarely came up except in a positive light - I suppose I'm just sheltered (and I am very thankful for that) — but that was not the end of my day...

Later, at ballet, I found a kindred-spirit (somehow I always find them in the most unlikely people — like, my dentist... but that's a different story).

While I was doing my lame duck's across the floor, my ring caught her attention — after three years, it has become a part of me and I don't really notice it.

Now, I hadn't really talked much to this girl — she seemed nice enough, but she was really quiet, public-schooled, a junior, and not to mention more than a little gorgeous (Yeah, intimidation. Especially if initiating conversations is not your forte).

Anyway, she asked about my ring.

I have never been, or even found cause to be ashamed of this public declaration of purity — rather, I am proud of it. Not only do I wear the ring for God and myself, but also my future husband. I treasure it.

This girl then, began to tell me about how she really hates going to public school, wishes she could be home-schooled, and has a promise ring but doesn't like to wear it because it draws undesired attention from the kids at school. She also told me that she doesn't ever think she will get a boyfriend because no guy will take interest in her just because of the pledge she made to stay pure until marriage.
I could totally not relate to this statement. For one,  I don't desire a boyfriend. For two, I take no interest in guys who aren't of the same mindset — we come from opposite ends of the spectrum.

I wish I could have had more time to talk with her... but ballet class is hardly the time to have a deep, heart-felt conversation, you know?!

I didn't even know what to say when she opened up to me — I could see how much she was hurting and wanted to be free from peer pressure/the negative influence of her friends; and I felt guilty.
I have it all. I have a loving, Christian family, a simple, clean lifestyle, and almost no negative influences. All of which make my life extremely easy in comparison - I have been blessed!
My heart just aches; I'll definitely be in prayer for her. Wow.
But boy, did I ever feel like a naive fool.
All I can do is hope that God used me as an encouragement to her - He sure used that experience in my life.

Well, after that I rushed on over to the Bible Study at my Church; sweat and all...
The study is all about breaking free from the bondage of sin in our life — umm, yea, that more than applied to the theme of today.

We each struggle with our own, unique sin that is keeping us in bondage. I can right away pinpoint mine. Can you?
I know that I wrestle with fear of the unknown - I like change, but I also like to be in control. God is working in my heart, and slowly, I have been learning to give it all to Him. He wants to carry our burdens for us. And this study is all about learning how to have the power of freedom in Christ. I highly recommend it.

Anyway, it seems to me that the girl I talked to in ballet class needs freedom in areas of her life too...

Just some food for thought.It was a pretty interesting day, all in all.
I am just glad that God gave me the home, family, and situation I am in right now. I doubt I'd be the same person, had I gone to public school like my new-found friend...

In the end, it doesn't matter what your friends and even your family think. The opinion that does count is God's  - He is the only master I serve.

1 Peter 3:15 says, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."