A battle worth fighting

I was thinking about purity, which is something of an anomaly. Usually I get to the topic by a rather circuitous route.
Purity transcends action. As a matter of fact, it is an issue whether you are single or married.
Do you know, I can be abstinent without being pure? You can be quite married without being pure, for that matter.
God wants purity from you and I. It's a funny thing to aim at. I don't go there readily by prohibitions. In truth, I don't stay long there by self discipline. How does one set about to maintain such a life?
The only thing that works for me is awe and love... and fear. I am awed by Who my God is, and I am very mindful that my sin would cause Him grief. I love Him. His love for me is far more intimate, and more intoxicating than a moment's thrill would be. When I project myself into the future consequences of any illicit liaison, I am dreadfully fearful of that. (Mother says that fear is often underrated; I think she's right.)
My sons and I were talking about the difficulty of purity. They were a bit impressed when they realized that my husband left when I was 29. That means, I told them, that I know well the struggle to stay pure. I know the cost. It is a difficult thing to fight for, sometimes. I am not a silly driveling parent who tells them to keep their pants on, from the arms of my loving husband. When I tell them that they need to abstain, I say it with some determination, and very little ease.
And I mean what I say.
I am no prude. But I know that no beauty is to be had outside of God's Plan. And I will have beauty, or nothing at all.
Married or single, purity is worth the cost. It is worth the fight. It is worth it.