We started out this week telling you we were hopeful, and we were.
Then The Great Sex Rescue launched–and it’s doing so well! The reviews are coming in, and the sales are so strong. Thank you.
PLEASE KEEP THE REVIEWS COMING. It helps us so much!
But we’ve also been really discouraged at the reaction from other stakeholders, and we shared that on the podcast yesterday. In return, a reader sent me a beautiful email, pointing to the future. She did it with plenty of pictures of her daughter, to make a lovely point. I want to share that email with you, but not her pictures, because that’s not appropriate. So I’ll substitute pictures of my own kids at that age. I hope, though, that the point still remains, because this touched us deeply yesterday.
And thank you to everyone who encouraged us!
Hi Sheila, Becca, and Joanna,
Sisters…it’s a lot.
Like you, I don’t know where to start.
I don’t want to make any attempt to “fix” your grief.
But here is my favorite translation of my favorite Scripture, and my prayer for you this year:
“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.”
Psalms 27:13-14 NASB1995
Also I say to you from the depths of my mommy heart – PLEASE.REST. Even Jesus observed the Sabbath and took naps. TGSR is out, the Good Guys’ Guide is in, GO LAY DOWN.
Finally, I know you have to count the losses, but if I can add into your equation…
This is Shylah Eve. She is a real little girl. “
Shylah” means “wise and strong in the Lord”, and “Eve” means “enlivening”. She is two and a half years old. Her favorite foods are pancakes and strawberries. With bright blue eyes and an infectious giggle, she is very precious to her family. She loves to color and be fancy. She has a lot of nicknames: Shy-Berry, Berry-Boo, Boosky, Gremlina, Her Very Berryness, Trouble-makin’-girl, Shiny Girl…..
Shylah will be working through The Whole Story when it’s time for a comprehensive look at her body and sexuality. She will get the Good Girls Guide as a young woman. Her mom has read The Great Sex Rescue and will be confronting these ideas head on, directly, over and over, with Shylah and her brothers, in the hopes that they won’t need to read it themselves except as part of church history.
Shylah will not be attending any church or youth group that supports marital hierarchy or promotes purity culture. She is going to learn about the fruits of the Spirit, and the fruits of the flesh, and how to watch for them in every situation, from every person, regardless of their station.
When she has questions about her role in God’s kingdom, I will be able to point her to healthy and safe resources, many of them yours.
I am going to use your words as one of the tools to protect her silly, carefree, shamefree self, lovingly made to be perfect and whole.
She is among my most precious treasures. I share her with you so to those harmed, you might add not only those rescued, but those who will be SPARED.
All my love,
S.
We were just so touched, and we needed that right now! I’m going to go read the reviews again (which are wonderful) and take a bit of time off today before another rash of interviews starts this afternoon. And then I’ll rest this weekend (and so will Rebecca!).
Thank you again for your support. I do think we’re changing the conversation–thanks to you guys, too!
"A groundbreaking look into what true, sacred biblical sexuality is intended to be. A must-read." - Rachael Denhollander
What if you're NOT the problem with your sex life?
What if the messages that you've been taught have messed things up--and what if there's a way to escape these toxic teachings?
It's time for a Great Sex Rescue.
Such a lovely letter and such hope for the next generation. Let the healing begin.
And thank you for being respectful of sweet Shylah Eve and posting pictures of your two instead.
Tears in my eyes!
The same is true for me and my family!
This is changing my conversations with everyone… and I’m a talker; I have a lot of conversations:)
What a beautiful, hope-filled story. All the best to Shayla and all little girls and boys everywhere!
True story—Connor loves the name Shayla, but Rebecca insists they can’t name any future daughter that because Shayla is just too close to Sheila and that’s weird.
I can see that. Although I once knew three brothers named Tom, Ted and Tim. Tom and Ted were twins, and it got a bit confusing at times.
That was beautiful.
I could have written this letter (albeit not as beautifully). I have two girls. You have changed their lives.
Those pictures of Shayla show somebody filled with happiness and the innocent joy of being alive. I hope that this joy continues for her and everybody else for the rest of our days.
Those are pictures of Shiela’s daughters! She substituted the pics instead of publishing little Shayla’s image. Says so near the beginning of the article, before the letter starts.
Speaking of, this was really inspiring. Thank you to the woman who wrote this, and thank you l, Sheila, for sharing it.
That’s beautiful. I know the stuff I’ve learned over the last year (ish) has influenced the way I interact with my daughter. For one, Mama now inserts snarky commentary in bedtime stories. 😉
Part of me wants to know who is making you feel bad so I can go fight them. LOL But that’s probably just my pent-up energy from being stuck in the house for so long!
What your book is doing is setting a boundary. When a boundary is set, those who it affects tend to push back. Sometimes in an extreme way. But you three ladies are not alone in holding the boundary. We’re all there with you. Standing firm and saying “No, we will no longer tolerate this treatment, not for ourselves, not for future generations.”
Armor up, girls. The revolution is starting.
I’ve been having similar thoughts as Shylah’s mama. I have three girls and one boy, and they will grow up with good information (as much as their dad and I can help it). You ladies are not alone in this fight. Thank you for leading the way.
Sheila, are you getting nasty grams from Emerson and Shaunti?
You are aren’t you.
Ugh.
That crèche looks really cute. It’s one of my favorite parts of Christmas.
What a beautiful letter. And how encouraging to think of all the youngsters who are going to grow up with wholesome & healthy attitudes toward sex & marriage thanks to this book!