Prom

Sarah with the man who gladly holds her heart until her husband comes along.

It's common knowledge that our girls don't typically "date". In the past there have been a few functions that they attended in controlled and chaperoned situations. Sarah went to the prom at the school where she participates in sports with a friend from Tennessee. It was as calm and controlled of a dance that we've seen. (Yes, there were a few immodest dresses and such, but it was more gentle than walking through a typical mall.) I am so thankful that she welcomed my presence and and that her date was such a gentleman.

Sarah and her date, in the center of the picture, danced every danced and had a great time.

I know these occasions are fraught with danger. I've been reading the anti-courtship blogs lately and have known that there are a lot of dangers there too. So as we talk about dating, courtship and everything in between, we have to depend on God to help us through. Every child is different, every situation is different. We can't make too many hard and fast rules that will deal with everyone equally on this issue.

We must follow Christ's example and pray! Raising daughters in our society can be frightening. But when they love Christ and want to serve their Savior, we can rest in that. I'm not saying that just because they are Christians they can be turned over to every vice of the world, but that they can be trusted. We need to stay close to them as we let them walk in their own faith. As parents, we need to be asking probing questions of our children, and helping them walk when they need it. Sure, they don't always know when they need it and it may not be popular to step in, but it is our responsibility.

Eating at a Japanese restaurant was fun.

Young men and women need to be in many different situations where they can get to know each other. Dances reveal a lot about character and I learned some things I didn't know. Church and fellowship with the Body of Christ is a vital place to get to know members of the other sex. Service projects are great too. It bothers me to see kids' dates always consist of entertaining themselves. Serving others is a great way to see a person's work ethic. Most of all, I think the best place to get to know other kids is in the home. They need to be in our homes as often as possible for meals, serving the family, Bible times, and just hanging out. It's the place to learn how family life works and how each one responds to it.

Dressing up is what girls love to do!

Now that I have one daughter married, I am still not an expert in courtship, nor ever will be. I just have our story of how she got married. I have five other daughters whose courtships and marriages will look completely different. And I realize now more than ever my need for Help from our Sovereign God.

And Sarah is so content to be with her family and enjoy her sweet friends until God provides the man of her dreams.