Have you ever waited a long time for something–worked on a project for what seems like forever–then finally finished it? Well, I’m there. November 1st is the official launch for my book The Windblown Girl: A Memoir about Self, Sexuality, and Social Issues. Now, I’m wondering what the future holds. Will people like it? Hate it? Be angry? Or embrace the message that kept me persevering for so long to convey it.

That message exposes how cheap sex can mess with our identity. Destroy our ability for intimacy. Or even put us in dangerous situations. My “Glitz, Glamour and Gross Negligence post shows how cultural lies impact our thinking in ways that could easily lead to rape and murder.

A Relevant Message for Today

Many of the today’s issues became prevalent while I was attending high school and college. Who can forget Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King’s assassinations? Or the Watts Riots, the Palm Springs Rock Festival (yes, I got to see Ike and Tina Turner and Eric Burdon and the Animals among many others) and the killing of four students at Kent State by the national guard.  The chaos and confusion of those difficult times, especially with my dad becoming an MIA in another war we didn’t win, parallels many of today major concerns.

However, today’s events have escalated to raves like the Electric Daisy Carnival that attract up to 100,000 young adults from all over the world. Far too often, they overdose and die. Many young women put themselves at risk during these events. DJ’s promote sexual activity on the dance floor among the scantily clad ravers, and human traffickers often prowl the parking lots looking to enslave those most vulnerable.

Trying to Escape the Pain

Much like I did as a young woman, many of these young adults just want to escape the pain. Fed up with dysfunctional families and injustice, they anticipate a few hours of PLUR (peace, love, unity, and respect), yet ultimately find heartache and increased agony.

Though it was a different venue, that’s what I did on a Caribbean cruise. I opted for two weeks of exquisite pleasure, yet, as I learned my irresponsible behavior led to excruciating suffering. Our identities–mind, body, and soul–are designed by our Creator for wholeness instead of increasing brokenness. Today’s media exacerbates these lies by promoting sex with virtual strangers and hypersexualizing young people through music, television, and movies. Even books read by many Christians contain pornographic imagery crafted to escalate sexual arousal. Yet as The Windblown Girl reveals, trying to separate the mind and body leads to unexpected places that result in increased suffering and gross injustice.

Finding Wholeness

As our Declaration of Independence states, based on a biblical worldview, all human beings are created equal. That’s the only foundation for justice there is–whether Black, White, or Asian; gay, straight, or trans; rich or poor; Hindu, Muslim or Christian–we were created by a great God, who gave us the immeasurable freedom of choice. He put standards in place designed to protect us from self-harm. And, the goodness of those standards are the message of The Windblown Girl.

We can find the peace, love, unity, and respect that ravers are looking for. I did, but to do that meant embracing Jesus and doing things His way instead of my own. Facing life’s fiercest winds head on, denial became my worst enemy. In the process of embracing Truth, I found unfathomable love and acceptance, a sense of wholeness and freedom unlike anything I ever imagined. That’s what my story is about, and I hope it becomes the story of many who read my book. Maybe that will include you or someone you love. If so, please let me know by leaving a review.

A Coloring Contest and More

To bring greater visibility to the book, we’re holding a contest. If you sign up for my e-newsletter you’ll be sent the link to a coloring page that Ann-Margret Hovsepian (a notable coloring book illustrator) specifically designed to promote The Windblown Girl. In addition there will be a link to a wonderful devotion adding to the significance of the anchor portrayed in the coloring page and those in my book. It’s all free! After you color it, then post it on your Facebook page and tag me, Patti Townley-Covert. Also include the #windblowngirl. At the end of November, a winner will be chosen based on the creativity for sharing the entry and the coloring of it. I hope you’ll join in the fun of competing for a cool prize! 

Also there’s a ZOOM launch party on November 7th from 4-5 PST. You can join in by clicking on this link. Ann-Margret is hosting so it will say “Ann’s meeting.” Hope to see you there!