Vow of Purity - A 16th Birthday Tradition

When my daughters were 13 and 11, I was walking with my friend Marisa, and she asked me, "Amy have you asked your daughters to take the vow of purity? To save themselves until marriage?" I literally stopped in my tracks and thought, HOW COULD I EVER ask them to do that? What does that look like? Marisa explained that her mother simply told her that this is what God asks of all of us. He asks us to remain pure until we meet our holy spouse. God has our holy spouse already picked out, and when we can walk our holy path, abiding by the Lord, He guides us to him.

Marisa explained that she and her mother had the conversation, and it was the conversation that anchored the seed of possibility. The possibility then became a personal promise between God and her. Marisa kept her vow of purity until marriage, and she did it because her mother reminded her of this path that God wants for all of us. I listened and immediately thought I wanted to share this beautiful gift of purity with my children. 

My husband and I had a very special conversation with each of our children on their 16th birthday. We shared with them that they are daughters and sons of THE KING; as such, it is their birthright to be holy and royal in the eyes of God. The gift of purity is to be cherished and given to one's holy spouse. 

After this beautiful conversation, we asked them to pray to God, and to make this promise to God. We then gifted each of them a purity ring to wear to remind them of this promise, only to be replaced by their wedding ring one day.

We are sharing the tradition we began in our home so that you too may create your own 16th birthday tradition:

• Invite your children to make a promise to God to save themselves for their holy spouse. As a daughter and son of THE KING they are royal and as tradition with all royalty, the gift of union is saved for marriage.
• Invite your children to pray to God, and vow to Him that they will be pure. Pray consistently for the help to avoid temptation and overcome situations that may challenge their commitment.
• Gift your child a promise ring as a constant reminder of this beautiful commitment to staying true. TOTUS TUUS – "I am totally yours. I give myself to God. I wear this ring until it is exchanged for my wedding ring."
• There is a blessing and grace that comes from being obedient to God. He blesses you with protection and graces your union to your holy spouse. God calls us to purity before marriage for a reason, it is by design and it is a testament of God’s great love for us!

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 

—Amy D'Ambra/MSMH Founder and Co-Owner