get out of the Grey area (all 50 shades of it)

Oh, hey, hi! It’s me again. Let’s just skip the fact it’s been over a year since I’ve last blogged. Something has been piercing my heart and nudging me to get back on here to share a little bit with y’all.

Ok, enough of the niceties, let’s get straight to it.

I read “50 Shades of Grey.”

…and I liked it.

Yep, I said it. I liked it.

If by “liked it” I mean the book(s) had somewhat of a good story line and they slowly ruined the holy and sacred image of sex that God has shown me through his word.

Then yes.

I liked it.

Dang, did you catch on to that? I said book with an s. Ok, fine. I read the whole series. The books were full of suspense, love, and ended predictably.  Even though I told myself I was reading soley for entertainment…the books affected me. Just like when we (women) read a Nicholas Sparks book or watch the Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel and think our lives should be THAT romantic and THAT perfect, we put unreachable expectations on our relationships that can ultimately be destructive. Not only did reading the books ruin God’s sacred image of sex, but it also put my relationship with God and my husband on a rocky road.

And no, unfortunately, not the ice cream kind.

Luckily, I’ve been blessed with forgetting 99% of the movies I’ve watched or books I read in less than 3.7 days. (Which, I got from my mama.)

However, there are some things that you

SIMPLY.

CAN’T. 

FORGET.

I am aware I’ve only been married a little under two years and you are probably thinking, “What the heck would she know about a solid marriage?” Right? Well, I do know that I wouldn’t have this conviction if reading the book was okay. (Or watching the movie for that matter.)

So you’ve bought your movie tickets.

Your mind is made up…and you’re going.

Now you’re thinking, “Oh c’mon, it’s just a movie!”

Hey, remember me? The one who read the entire series….trust me, I’m not judging you.

But I do ask that you consider sitting this one out. And please let me explain why.

All the posts I’ve read bashing “50 Shades of Grey” have been from women who have not read the books. And praise God, for they are stronger than I. But what I have to say  is coming from me, a Christian woman, who let down her guard and picked up a book that exposed  me to a lot of things that, again, I simply can’t forget. And boy, do I wish I could!

So, please. Hear me out on this one.

“50 Shades of Grey” says pain in sex can be enjoyable. 

The Bible says “Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.” (Colossians 3: 19)

“50 Shades of Grey” says women should be submissive to men.

The Bible says, “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18, emphasis mine.) The ESV study bible says this, “Paul roots his instructions in “the Lord”… thus stressing the importance of evaluating everything in light of Christ and his teaching.” 

“50 Shades of Grey” says it’s okay to disrespect women.

The Bible says, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25) 

“50 Shades of Grey” says sex is okay, even encouraged, in a non-martial relationship 

The Bible says, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” (Hebrews 13:4)

With that said…

If you’re married, instead of going to see the movie, I encourage you to take that time to be thankful for your spouse and enjoy HIM, instead of Christian Grey. Your husband longs to be with you, instead of watching you long to be with Christian Grey.

And for all my single ladies, instead of going to see the movie, I encourage you to take that time to be thankful for Him and enjoy Him. God desires your love and appreciation. Christian Grey could care less.

Let’s have some respect for ourselves and for our relationships (and future relationships.) Let’s make an effort in our lives to restore what we have instead of striving to feel things that will only destroy us.

Some of you will agree with me on this and some will become defensive, but just know I’m not trying to attack anyone. Seeing as I have no room to attack anybody. I’m just the girl who read these books a while back, felt guilty about it, tried to keep quiet in all the commotion of it, and now  humbly coming forward, trying  to help my sisters out.

If I haven’t succeeded in changing your mind or are unsure what to think, then at least take some time to  ask the Lord for wisdom in this decision.

Sorry for being so long-winded! Just remember, you get out of life what you put into it. Let’s work on putting encouraging and uplifting things into our lives! Thanks for listening to me share! Love y’all!

“…training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” Titus 2: 12

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22