You’ve probably already figured this one out, but I’m a writer. I write Christian romance, which means my novels have one thing in common: a guy and a girl fall in love (after lots of tension-filled roadblocks) as they discover or grow closer to God.
I tried to write women’s fiction for a while, but the stories always came back to romance, which shouldn’t have surprised me, since I’m obsessed with romantic books and movies (yes, I like Twilight). This obsession used to disturb me, until I did some reflecting and figured out why it exists.
I think there is something inside most women.
This deep-seeded longing to be loved and cherished.
Not half-heartedly, but passionately. For somebody to pursue us. To really fight for us. To call us beloved and beautiful. I think that’s why there will always be a market for romance.
We want that guy who’s going to chase after us, no matter the cost. That guy who desires us more than anything else. We want our knight in shining armor to ride up on his white horse and rescue us from a confusing world. From our own brokenness.
But you know what?
That guy already exists. And for you married gals out there, it’s not your husband.
It’s our bridegroom. It’s Jesus.
No matter who you are. No matter what you’ve done. No matter what you look like. He desires you more than you could ever imagine. More than any man ever could. He’s jealous for you. He fights for you. He’s intensely passionate about you. He calls you beloved.
And that, my friend, is the greatest love story of all time.
Here is another song I am obsessed with. It paints a beautiful, beautiful picture of when we walk down the aisle toward our groom – Jesus. The words come toward the end of the song. Don’t miss them. They give me goosebumps every time.
That is why I write romance. To bring to light, however subtly, the desire we feel for love, and the one true answer to that desire. Making reader’s hearts flutter with giddiness is just a fun little side effect.
Let’s Talk: Why do you think romance is so popular?
I stole this from my About page. In case any of you are thinking it sounds a bit familiar.removetweetmeme
So sad, in fact, that every year as a 5th grade teacher, I would introduce this word to my class and encourage it in the boys. Maybe that’s not kosher, seeing as I taught in a public school. Maybe some people think it isn’t any of my business to teach this concept to my students. But I couldn’t help myself. I want young boys to know this word. I want young girls to know this word.
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I want my son to know this word.
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I want him to grow into a young man who opens doors for women. Who carries their bags, and pulls out their chairs, and gives up his seat, and offers his arm when the sidewalk gets slippery. I want him to grow into a young man who respects and protects his female counterparts.
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Every Wednesday night, I get to hang out with junior high kids at my church. A few months ago, we went through a whole series on dating, and one of the messages went like this:
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Girls, you are a princess of the King. Guard your purity.
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Boys, you are a prince of the King. Protect the princesses.
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I loved that message. I wanted to record it and save it for my son.
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Protect the princesses.
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Maybe that’s not a popular message these days. But it sure is a beautiful one.
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In real life and in fiction.
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Let’s Talk: Do you think chivalry is dying? Why? Do you find chivalry to be an attractive, admirable trait in men? If you have a son, do you try to teach him to be chivalrous? If so, how do you do it?
