Refreshing Innocence.

The girls and I had a quiet night at home together last night. We made some popcorn, grabbed one of our fleece blankets and sat on the couch together to watch some dancing. Both the girls really love any type of dance so I thought they'd enjoy it. "Dancing with the Stars" is what I found.

I hadn't thought about some of the costumes before turning the show on but decided to go with it and see if it spurred some conversations. As the dancers all came out on the dance floor at the beginning of the show, the girls started their typical running commentary.

"Why is that girl showing her tummy? What is she DOING?"

"I don't like the dresses that show the tummy. They're not pretty."

"THAT girl is showing stuff 'up here' (meaning cleavage :))"

"Mom, I've seen swimsuits like that, but why would you want to wear that to dance?"

(In their mind and from their experience, dancers should consider apparel like Angelina Ballerina or in Emma's case, Angela the REAL Ballerina from Boise, ID)

I love that. It's the level my girls are at, and it's filled with sweet innocence.

Then a bit later on, a guy dancer came out with his partner, but with an open shirt. Emma stared for a second, then said quietly.

"Well, that was a bit gross."

and yet again from Liv about another girl:

"Uh! That's not a dress! That's bottles and a tutu!!!"

Well, it told me what I needed to know about how my young girls are feeling about outward modesty, until Emma ended with this comment:

"I wish I was pretty enough to go on that show."

HOLD the entire, stinkin' phone!

Time for momma to step in with TRUTH for Emma and not allow the world one, single hold on her young heart. I can't shelter them from how the world may view and exalt outer beauty, sex appeal and image forever, but from day 1, Andy and I have both made it a priority that our girls know how they are viewed by the Lord. How beautiful they are and which beauty is most important.

The beauty I strive to cultivate in my girls leads them to do for others instead of themselves, it prompts them to SEE others' needs above their own, brings a desire to serve the Lord in wisdom and truth, to not run after the fleeting moments of this world but live heaven-minded, and to know and understand that the God of the Universe made them perfectly. Not outward perfection, but still exactly how He intended, that they would grow in Him and more into His likeness daily. They will doubt, they will question, they may even disagree, but our prayer for them is that they are so full of love and truth, that the sharp edged lies thrown at them on how they "should" look, fall on completely deaf, unwilling ears.

I don't want them growing up to become teenagers who can think of nothing but buying clothes, shoes, jewelry and how they should style or color their hair next. All of which prompting me to evaluate what they see ME spending time on....where would they rank my own priorities?

I desire that they would find the giftings they've been given and use them to glorify the Lord. They will know all too soon the emphasis our society stamps on physical beauty and attraction, but I am thankful that I still have the opportunity to be an example for them, and point them toward other women I see, not only who are content, but who have great joy in what the Lord created them to be without succumbing to the pressures of the "model look" of beauty.

Young moms...don't be fooled in thinking that your little ones aren't watching you.

The most beautiful women I know, are those who keep the lowest personal profiles, and yet beam out with Christ's joy which is so much more beautiful than anything else.