QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
ABOUT COURTSHIP
HELPING A FRIEND WHO IS
STRUGGLING WITH PURITY:
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Question:
Dear Carmen,
My friend is getting into a lot of trouble and I don't know what to do.
She just recently told me that she doesn't see what the big deal is about
having sex before marriage. I have told her that purity is a gift from God
and she doesn't seem to care!
Please help, B.
Dear B,
First of all, I applaud your desire to live a life of purity yourself and
secondly, your desire to encourage your friend to live a life of purity.
It isn't easy, in this culture to go against the tide of impurity.
And it seems your friend, like so many others, has bought into those lies.
I think the reason that people buy into the lies is because they are
sincerely seeking something in their life. They are looking for
love, for security, for meaning . . . they just are being misguided by the
world.
The best thing you can do for your friend is this:
1) Love her and be the best friend that you can be for her. Let her
know the sincerity of your friendship!
2) Continue to live a life of purity yourself. Your living example
speaks volumes. Even if she makes mistakes now -- what she sees you
doing in your life is having an effect on her. That might be the
very thing that turns her life around later on. Hopefully though,
she won't make those mistakes.
How can you be of immediate help to her?. . .
3) Pray and offer up sacrifices for her purity!!! The power of
prayer and penance can not be underestimated!!! Sacrifices bring
about tremendous grace -- it is the most powerful sign of love -- just
look at the Cross!!!
4) Continue to talk to her about purity as she allows you to. Don't
be pushy. Always come at it from the perspective of how purity sets
you free to be the best you can be and to get the most out of life that
God intends for you! Don't come down on her from a negative
perspective that will lead her to discouragement. Our God forgives
freely. We don't want people to ever feel that once they have
"crossed that line" or fallen into a sinful lifestyle that they can never
come back! Ideally, we don't want her to give away the gift of her
virginity to anyone before marriage. But if she has or does -- we
want to still be able to call her back home. If you know she is
still a virgin, encourage her to see how beautiful it will be for her to
share that with her husband some day. If she is not, encourage her
to know that she can stop now and store up all the treasures of her
physical affection from this day forward for her future husband.
I don't want you to think that you cannot share the negatives -- like STDs
and fear of pregnancy and emotional suffering and all. But I want
her to see purity as a positive thing -- not just avoiding the negatives!
That's where the example of your life will come in. The joy she sees
in you will communicate that message the most powerfully!
5) Have you read my book, Arms of Love? Have you suggested it to
her?
I have heard back from many girls now, over this past year, who have said
that after they read my book they were completely committed to living a
life of chastity -- and to make Jesus their number one!!! It's not a
hard read -- it's a novel. Most girls enjoy a love story. You
can try that.
Be assured of my prayers for you and your friend!!
In His Most Holy Name,
Carmen
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