Thy Will, Not Mine

Chapter {40} Destiny

"Destiny, I would like to apologize sincerely. I realize now that it was inappropriate for me to suggest that Antonio was capable of such actions," Thato expressed her regret, acknowledging the negative impact it had on the joyful atmosphere we had experienced while spending the evening with Nio.

"It's alright," I responded, gently moving past her to make my way to my bedroom.

"No, it's not. I genuinely feel sorry, okay?" Thato positioned herself in front of me and embraced me in a warm hug.

"I forgive you," I lovingly patted her back as she pulled away, looking at me with a small smile on her face.

"Now, tell me all about your date night," Thato curiously inquired, while I deliberated whether or not to confide in her, still having reservations.

"Well, it was like a dream come true. Nio was an absolute gentleman. He made me experience emotions I had never felt before, and we didn't cross any boundaries. We were simply holding hands because I believed that was as far as I wanted to go, as it is written in Hebrews 13:4 that marriage should be respected by all, and the marriage bed should remain pure. God will judge those who engage in sexual immorality and adultery, and Nio respected my decision."

"Wow!" exclaimed Thato, motioning for me to join her on the couch. "You have to tell me every detail, I mean every single thing about this enchanting date of yours!"

And just like that, my exhaustion disappeared, and I eagerly shared with my best friend the story of my true love and how incredibly chivalrous he had been throughout the evening.

****

I carefully gathered my voluminous hair into a stylish puff, standing before the full-length mirror to admire my reflection. Today, I had put extra effort into my appearance, solely intending to impress Nio. You see, Nio was accustomed to dating people like Samantha, who had a penchant for revealing outfits that left little to the imagination. In an attempt to capture Nio's attention, I opted for a short leather skirt that reached my thighs, paired with a neatly tucked long-sleeved turtleneck tee and black-and-white sneakers.

Despite looking undeniably great, I couldn't shake off the lack of confidence and discomfort that plagued me. I found myself incessantly adjusting the ends of my skirt, a sensation of unease washing over me as I gazed at my reflection. It occurred to me that this was the first time I had worn such revealing attire since I had been saved and baptized. Perhaps that explained my inner conflict.

However, as I cast one final glance at my reflection, a surge of determination coursed through me. I mustered a smile, reminding myself of the person I was putting forth all this effort for—Nio, the person I loved. Fueled by that sentiment, I left my room, bag in hand.

Suddenly, an abrupt realization struck me—I hadn't yet read my Bible. I contemplated whether I should turn back and read it now or postpone it until my return from campus. Ultimately, I chose the latter option, reasoning that I had already prayed, and the Bible wasn't going anywhere. It would patiently await my attention precisely where I had left it.

Upon entering the kitchen, a clinking sound interrupted the silence as Thato glanced up at me, clearly taken aback. "Girl, what are you wearing?" she blurted out, causing my self-consciousness to intensify as I peered down at my chosen ensemble.

"Please, have a seat," she instructed, and I complied, mentally preparing myself for a heartfelt lecture.

"Des, you look stunning right now, but this outfit doesn't truly reflect who you are. You can exude beauty and confidence while wearing a longer, more modest skirt. Remember that you are gorgeous, and, above all, you are a child of God. Didn't you once say that we should glorify the Lord in all that we do? You emphasized that our bodies are temples of the Lord, and we should allow Him to dwell within us. But how can we achieve that if our bodies aren't sanctified and righteous?"