The difference

This post on FoxNews had a bit of a condescending tone, which made me not the biggest of fans.  Yet, one story shared by author Steven Crowder painted an all-too true picture of today that seems worth sharing.  Steven and his new bride waited until their wedding night to give themselves sexually.  In the post, Steven talks about how hostile the culture is to this approach, yet how worthwhile it is.  

But he also shares:

I’d like to tell you a story of our morning after, however. One that transpired into one of the most glaring epiphanies I’d ever had.

As my wife (again, still not used to that) and I ate breakfast at a local inn, we discussed how excited we were to start the rest of our lives together, how scary it was that everything was now so different. At the same time, we overheard the table next to us discussing their very own wedding from the night prior. What a coincidence!

“The thing is, nothing’s really changed,” the bride said.

Puzzled, my wife asked, “Did you get married last night too? So did we!”

“Congratulations!” the other dame said. “Yeah we did, just last night.”

“Where’s the groom?” my wife innocently… scratch that, naively asked.

“Oh, he’s sleeping. There was no way he was coming out with me this morning!” She paused and smirked. “Let’s just say that he’s got a lingering headache from a really good time last night.”

Read more.

This young man's experience of two jarringly different pictures of a brand new marriage paints the scene in such a way that only sad eyes and a sigh can really be the response. And the reality is that most people will never see the Steven Crowder side of the picture. The contrast is certainly alive and well in the world, but many are either too preoccupied or stunned or defensive to see it.  And many others may not have the opportunity to sit so close to a couple who did things the "odd" way -- waiting until marriage for sex, living together and combining lives in the way that only a vow fully grants permission to unfold.  

Those who are dating chastely, living engagement in a spirit of preparation for a Sacrament (not a party), and those who are living single life with a trust in God's plan, are witnessing to the world without perhaps ever realizing it.  Even the simplest holding of hands, gentle conversation, choice of clothing or act of chivalry can speak volumes to a good friend or a complete stranger.  And the world needs this witness.