Mariah received her purity ring last month. The tradition began almost nine years ago with McKenzie! When each of our daughters turned thirteen, Marc took them out to a historic restaurant in our little downtown area. It is such a sweet and special night and I can't believe our youngest daughter has already reached that milestone!
When we were searching for a ring for McKenzie, it was sort of a popular idea at the time. It was pretty easy to find rings and we found a company that made heart rings with a keyhole in them. They also sent a key lapel pen for the dad to wear that sort of represented the daddy "holding the key to their heart". There was a certificate for us all to sign, and a card for the dad to present to the groom on the daughter's wedding day. McKenzie had a part in her wedding ceremony where Marc pinned the key onto Daniel's lapel. When Madeline came along we actually took some of my old gold rings and the company used them to make Madeline's set. Fast-forward to this year.... I guess the company is no longer in business. I was pretty upset that I had not ordered Mariah a ring years ago to put up, but God worked out the details and she has a beautiful sterling silver "rose bud" ring.
What was sad to me was searching the internet for certificate ideas and seeing the negativity online about the whole purity ring idea. Seems it isn't "cool" anymore to do it. Not sure why people would try to twist something so sweet and make it creepy, but it was sad to me. It is such a special time with our children talking to them about doing things God's way. Marc and I are here to protect and guide them and he is ultimately responsible to protect them until their husband takes over that role one day. I had already talked with all three girls about the "facts of life" before this ever takes place. Marc talks to them more about his role of protecting them and the responsibility they have to stay under his umbrella of protection until God brings along the right one. As they get older and more mature their understanding of things of course changes. Once they reach adulthood there is a level of responsibility they have for themselves, and it has to be the desire of their heart to remain pure both physically and emotionally. It is our hope and prayer that they always yield their lives to Christ and His ways.
"Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23
Mariah has always been such a funny girl. She told us years ago that she didn't want a ring on her 13th birthday, that she would rather have a gun. (Which is what we do for the boys.) Thankfully, she changed her tune when she got older. (Although, she is chomping at the bit to get her first gun!) :o)
On the front porch of the restaurant where they have all eaten. This place will always be very special to us!
Mariah has been in a book study this year about girlhood and purity (among other things.) A rose bud is a symbol of purity, but also symbolizes not pushing on to areas of life that you are not ready for. Just like it takes time for that rose bud to become a beautiful flower in full bloom, it takes time (God's timing) to reach adulthood.
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Just a side note... When Matthew began to be out in the world more, he realized how different he was. Guys have been curious about his lifestyle and asked him questions. Some are rude, but some have gained a great deal of respect for him. Matthew said he thought if he had a "guy" purity ring it would be a good conversation starter. He has a black band with a verse or something written on it about purity. I will have to post a picture of it another time. :o) He has had a lot of guys at school and work ask him about it. One of his coworkers ordered one too. I thought that was so sweet. and it was an encouragement to Matthew.Ok... I am headed to bed. I will get caught up one of these days on this little blog! Life happens much faster than I possibly could blog! I'm trying hard to at least hit some highlights. It is so much fun to go back and read my old posts!
~Goodnight
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