I'm so thankful for my walk with Jesus. This journey has given me inner strength in ways I never imagined. I'm not chasing after the wrong wants and desires anymore. I don't budge on my loyalty to God, my morals, or beliefs. So, if a person or situation doesn't line up with me, I know it's not for me. God's ways and Jesus' teachings have kept me safe from people with the wrong motives.

For example, my ex and I are really close. We broke up because I wanted to follow Jesus and do things God's way. He wasn't ready to be that extreme, so I ended things, but we remained really close friends. He was the person I would call to share all that the Lord was doing in and around my life.

When he started hinting at getting back together, I thought that meant my morals, values, and beliefs would be honored and respected. After all, he knows how close I am to God and the Trinity. So, we planned a trip to see each other.

Except he suddenly started being super flirtatious with me; I felt the Lord say, "Pay attention." Things were definitely starting to feel disrespectful. Some of the things he would say made me cringe. And I knew I wasn't the only one hearing all of it.

Things change big time when you know for certain that the Holy Spirit is with you.

So, I knew I had to have "the talk" with him. I reminded him that I'm always going to follow Jesus and do things God's way. And that when I go see him, I wasn't going to be doing anything with him in the bedroom. Then, his tone changed. He said, "Well, I need to think about this." He went on and on about the need for intimacy before marrying someone. He needed to know if there was chemistry, etc.

Feeling puzzled, I said, "We were together on and off for eight years; what else is there to find out?" Then he proceeded to tell me everything he believes is right in a relationship. I just stayed quiet and thought to myself, yeah, you know we have chemistry; what else is there to find out?

As he continued to get upset with me about my morals and beliefs, something inside me shifted. Suddenly I could see through him. The real him was exposed, and I didn't want anything to do with him, I didn't even want to be associated with him. So, I ended the conversation saying, "I'm sorry, but my loyalty is with God."

After we hung up, I wanted to text him, "How dare you lead me on, knowing how close I am with the Lord?" I wanted to tell him how cruel he was. I was so angry, but I knew better than to start any chaos or drama.

Once Jesus walks you back into the light with God, you can't start an argument that leads to chaos and drama because it will cause you to fall back into darkness with the enemy. I had no choice but to sit and reflect.

By not snapping back at him via text, I had a realization. What was there to say? He said everything I needed to know while on the phone. Responding would have signaled there was something worth fighting for. I'm not fighting to be with someone like that. But I wouldn't have known that's how I truly felt if I wasn't actively walking in obedience.

There's nothing worse than realizing an entire decade was wasted on a man who only cares about his own wants and desires. Not to mention, his complete lack of love and respect for God was enough to make me walk away and never look back.

I know who I am, and I refuse to compromise who I've become for another person who refuses to get out of darkness.

I know I didn't grow a strong backbone overnight. It happened over time with intentional acts of obedience. Little by little, doing things God's way rebuilt me into the woman I was always meant to be.

Obedience may seem crazy and extreme in the beginning, but I promise there's a version of yourself you never knew existed. Not to mention real love from the most amazing supernatural family just waiting to walk you home.