The other day I was reading a daily devotion from Reflections for Ragamuffins by Brennan Manning. {By the way, have you ever read Ragamuffin Gospel? I think you should. Brennan Manning is so in LOVE with our Jesus and it's absolutely beautiful the way he writes about grace.} Anyway, I read this:
The narcissistic obsession with weight watching in North America
is a formidable ploy of the impostor. Despite the valid and
important health factor, the amount of time and energy devoted to
acquiring and maintaining a slender figure is staggering. No snack is
unforeseen, no nibble spontaneous, no calorie uncharted, no
strawberry left uncounted... To paraphrase Cardinal Wolsey, "Would
that I had served my God the way I have watched my waistline!"
All of a sudden it hit me. It is going to be hard raising a woman of God in this society of ours! My sweet daughter will be bombarded with image after image of an unattainable, airbrushed, worldly "beauty". How am I going to help her desire to be "clothed with strength and dignity (prov 31:25)" instead of expensive designer labels? How will I teach her to truly believe that she is "fearfully and wonderfully made (psalm 139:14)"?
I prayed about it a lot. And do you know what? It's my responsibility to SHOW her! Do I desire God more than the opinions of others? Do I genuinely believe that God creates beauty and that He created me exactly the way I am. On purpose. To be honest, not always. But I'm definitely working on it.
I've made a rule not to ever speak negatively about myself in front of my daughter. No weight comments, or unaccepted compliments. Don't get me wrong, I think it's very important to teach her to eat healthy and be active, but she needs to grow up seeing that I believe this body is wonderful. Without this body I wouldn't even have my precious Lily Belle, so I forgive it for not being a perfectly toned size 2. I pray that she will grow up so focused on Jesus and loving others that she doesn't even notice all of the unrealistic images telling her what she "should" look like.
And I pray that you will consider making yourself a similar rule. Thank God today for beautiful body he has given you. Show your kids what it looks like to pursue Jesus instead of an unattainable body image.
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who loves the Lord is to be praised."
Proverbs 31:30
This is a beautiful post. What an encouragement to know that there are mothers that are willing to raise their daughters to be like such a treasured woman of the Bible. I pray that when I have a daughter, this will resonate with me & I will offer that same guidance.
ReplyDeleteguess who's lovely? your bloggy!
ReplyDeletecongrats from me to you:)
http://covertocoverandbetween.blogspot.com/2011/09/one-lovely-blog-award-thanks-crystal.html
LOVE this post. I clicked over from Jami's blog today and I'm so with you! My daughter is 9 now, and I cringe every time someone around us says something hateful or negative about their body. I've stopped myself many a time too. and hey. we need to hang out. crafting and avett bros? yes please!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! Stopping by from Call Me Blessed. I may have to check out that devotional book. And can I be honest and say that in terms of societal pressure, I am super relieved I have a son and not a daughter? Image issues will still crop up I'm sure, but they aren't nearly as prevalent for boys. Now I just have to pray that when we have another child, it's a boy, too, haha.
ReplyDeleteI was nodding my head through this whole post. These are all things I've felt through these last 5 years of raising my daughter. I remember my mother, as wonderful as she is and as much as I love her, saying things about how she felt ugly/fat/what have you... The obsession with our bodies is everywhere, even in our own homes. Great topic... Thanks for sharing this encouragement today!
ReplyDeletei think and pray a lot about raising my son and daughter in this culture...it's going to be hard, but thank you for this reminder. it's such a great thing to have others striving and enouraging you to do it the right way.
ReplyDeleteABSOLUTELY!! It breaks my heart to hear women berate their bodies, especially women with daughters. My mother and father did a wonderful job of giving me a healthy body image and I believe it was due in part to not making it an issue. My mother was never negative about her or me. And as a mother of 2 girls, I am praying that my girls will grow up to remember that what's inside is what counts. Great post. Your latest follower.
ReplyDeleteSo true Ashley.
ReplyDeletethis has really been my lesson for the last several months. so thankful for all of the encouragement and direction to the RIGHT beauty. thanks for sharing and blessing me!
ReplyDeletexo
I love 'We encourage Tuesdays'! So refreshing to check out all of you all's blogs today. Thanks for stopping by :)
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog through "We Encourage" and am so glad that I did. Your post was beautiful and very true. Not only do we have to think about how we are a Proverbs 31 woman, but how we are to raise one as well-looking at God's beauty within us.
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