A Brush of Wings Read Online Free Page B

A Brush of Wings
Book: A Brush of Wings Read Online Free
Author: Karen Kingsbury
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meeting, everyone stayed in the large group. In later weeks they would break off into separate areas in the Youth Center so the girls could have more talk time.
    In an effort to meet the girls where they were likely struggling the most, this first conversation was about sex. What it should be . . . what it shouldn’t be. God’s plan for intimacy in married relationships. Sami led the discussion.
    “God designed sex to be a beautiful part of a married relationship between a man and a woman.” Sami was ready for push-back. “Let me be clear—this isn’t my plan. It isn’t something I made up. It’s God’s plan. He defined marriage that way in the Bible. So for the purpose of our group, the Bible will be our standard.”
    A few girls covered up quiet giggles. Some of them exchanged sarcastic looks. Sami didn’t care. If she was going to help them, she had to offer them the greatest source of love available. God’s word, His truth. She drew a slow breath. “Why do you think God created sex and then confined it only to marriage?”
    One girl snapped her fingers, her brow raised. “Because He doesn’t want us to have any fun.”
    Her remark elicited laughter from a few of the girls.
    Sami’s friends looked nervous. But Sami was ready. “Okay.” She lifted her Bible off the floor and put it on her lap. She opened it to Song of Solomon, chapter 3, verse 4. “One of my favorite Scriptures is in Song of Solomon. That’s a book in the Bible. Sort of a love letter. It says, ‘I have found the one my heart loves.’ ”
    The girls were quiet. Skeptical, but listening.
    Sami set the Bible down. “In my life, I’ve found that man. Or he found me. How do I know?” She didn’t wait for them to answer. “Because he loves God more than he loves me. He’s kind. He treats me with respect. He prays for me and reads the Bible with me. He cherishes me like I’m a princess. But we’re not married yet . . .”
    “You’re saying you two don’t have sex?” The question came from one of the youngest teens in the room. Probably not a day over thirteen.
    “That’s right.” Sami needed to be honest and transparent. “We want to, of course. Sex is going to be wonderful. God designed it that way. But . . . He created it for marriage.”
    The girl seemed shocked. “And your boo don’t get mad at you?”
    “No. He doesn’t get mad. He sets boundaries for us. He reminds us when it’s time to go home, when we’ve hung out long enough. God made men to be leaders.” She looked straight into the girl’s eyes, all the way to her heart. “If the guys you’re around aren’t like that, then they’re the wrong guys.”
    The thirteen-year-old tilted her head back, showing a glimpse of the tough girl she wanted to be. “Where we supposed to find guys like that?”
    Sami kept her tone even. “You have to wait for them.”
    “Till I’m eighty.” It was the first girl again, the one who liked getting a laugh. She nodded her head at Sami. “You seen the guys we got around here?”
    A chorus of voices added their agreement. Another girl was more respectful. “You didn’t find your man in the projects.”
    Sami let that settle for a moment. Give me the words, God . . . this isn’t easy .
    Her friend Megan Winters took the lead. “The truth?” She made eye contact with several of the girls. “God is enough.” Megan was from Kenya and lived in the projects before getting a scholarship to UCLA. “My first boyfriend was in a gang.” She hesitated, noting the looks of surprise. “It’s true. I used to think I needed a guy to feel good about myself.” She leaned in, her voice filled with intensity. “But then I realized something. God loves me so much, I don’t need a guy. Having the Lord in my heart, by my side. That’s enough.” She leaned back in her chair.
    Again the girls were listening.
    “There’s another reason I’m okay with being single.” Megan looked around the circle again. “I sure

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