I see your tears. I know what you’re feeling.

I’ve been there. You need to feel loved,

beautiful, special.

You need to stop the pain of loneliness,

to matter to someone.

Hear me. Despite what your friends say,

what your boyfriend says,  what you see at the movies,

what you see on TV: 

having sex won’t solve how you  hurt, or bring love’s acceptance,

it won’t.

Listen to me,  your chastity is your peace,

saves you so much grief--from the nightmarish guilt

of abortion;

or raising a child who doesn’t feel loved;

or the shame of harboring disease within

your body; even from certain poverty.

Hear me.

There is power in saying “NO.”

Power to choose to be respected.

Power to choose what path you will take.

Power to love righteously.  

Power to know when it’s time.

Hear me now. Learn who you are;

and please learn who God is

so that you can accept His Son

Who will help you to know what true love looks like

what it doesn’t;

what true love behaves like

what it doesn’t;

what true love requires of you

what it doesn’t;

You're wondering about the way you feel.

Know that feelings can lie. 

You can’t always trust them.

I know waiting is hard but wait— with patience.

Please hear me. Learn to enjoy life.

Love will come...it will be beautiful...

but

you must first tell yourself,

I am sacred.