Alex and I took a stand to stay pure in our relationship even before we started dating. We decided to set boundaries, and be around a lot of people constantly to keep those boundaries realistic. The first couple years of our dating relationship our purity was easy to control, we were young in sports full time in school and our first year of college we spent apart. Our first year apart really showed us we really cared and loved each other, which made seeing each other again after 3-4 months apart hard to focus on those boundaries we had set. After that first year of college I decided to move to Bend, and be with Alex as you can follow in my earlier blog. Bend was a time for us to figure out who we were, and to become responsible adults. With all the responsibility left us with no accountability. Our biggest mistake....
We had a hard time sticking to our boundaries but we always held tight to what we wanted and that was to stay pure unto the Lord.
Up until the day we were married there wasn't a day that went by that we DIDN'T struggle with purity. I started thinking to myself, How many couples go through this ALONE? I mean it is by far the hardest thing we have ever gone through, are we different? NO we are not, I found that most couples don't like to talk about their purity struggles, I don't blame YOU it's embarrassing, foolish, selfish all the above, but we all go through it and its real, and challenging.
So where I am going with all of this? We love relationships we love serving, we LOVE sharing our walk with God. We have this huge desire to help couples dating, engaged, or even recently married. We want to be a vessel for the Lord, we want couples to be able to open up and share with us any and all concerns, and troubles that face them daily. We are unsure how to go about doing that? a weekly, monthly meeting at our house? Online via email? Get togethers with them personally?
We just want to help!! : ) It was a huge burden in our relationship until we sought out help. We just want to be there for any and all couples going through this!!!
Love, the Cummings :)
It is very brave of you to share. I have yet to meet a couple who doesn't struggle with it. I usually reach out to those couples, but totally failed to talk to you. But, as for how you can help. One piece of advice I have is just to be near people your age and keep your ears open to serious relationships and engagements. Some feel that it gets easier with engagement, but my experience thus far tells me it gets harder.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, glad to hear you want to share.
As your Dad, I have quite a few people who tell me what a great job I did...The Truth is what a great job you both have done. As a believer in Christ and his Gift. I gave you over to HIS counsel and HIS covering for your life.Prov 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not Turn from it. I Love you both and will always be here for you both to share the wisdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Be blessed in this ministry the world needs it.
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