Low cut tops.
Short skirts.
EAGER BOYS.
Moms of daughters: if you’re anything like me, when these thoughts start spinning, the mandate to “not worry” [Mt. 6:25] is difficult to heed. Of course clothing and boys are only a part of the concern; our children are growing up amidst unprecedented societal pressures and pitfalls ranging from internet safety to substance abuse to bullying. And apparently, it’s our job to help them navigate the stormy seas–ready or not!
My daughter with Suzy Weibel at SKG
This past weekend my daughter and I were blessed to attend a Secret Keeper Girls Pajama Party near our town. Designed for girls aged 8-12, Dannah Gresh’s ministry seeks to teach girls about where true beauty comes from and how to dress modestly and still be a fashionista.
With music, dancing, and game shows sprinkled throughout the 2.5 hour event, girls and moms alike were engaged and encouraged to give a second look to catalog covers and celebrity photos.
One of the games we played split the audience into two teams while photos of TV and movie personalities with no makeup on flashed on the screen. Our job was to identify the person in the photo. After the correct answer was revealed, the professional headshot of the star replaced the untouched photo, clearly showing the girls how much makeup was applied, how fans helped to blow their glamorous manes, and how skin was brighter and tighter than before.
Secret Keeper Girls in no way suggests that makeup and a great haircut are wrong or are to blame for the pressure placed on girls and women; rather, they point out that using the media as a compass will point you in attainable directions. For young girls just beginning to think about their own face and hair and clothing, holding up airbrushed women is particularly damaging. Did you know that current research indicates that roughly half of young girls worry about or feel they are already overweight?
SKG reminds us that while the media tells you one thing—God’s Word tells you the Truth.
Verses like Psalm 45:11 are powerful: “Let the king be enthralled by your beauty…” We discussed how the King is God and is your Father… making you a princess! Now consider that the Psalmist says that your Father–the King–is enthralled by your beauty!
The leaders at Secret Keeper Girls had a toolbox brimming with Scripture references to combat the lies of this world. The leaders reminded us that our “princesses” are different from the princesses of the world–and that we moms have to help them stay mindful of God’s truth!
If you think your daughter could benefit from learning these promises and re-connecting her compass with True North, check out the SKG website for an upcoming event in your area! You won’t regret it.
