Last evening in our women's care groups at church, we were discussing the topic of purity in women. Naturally our conversation went to the topic of dress. Even in churches, women dress and primp as though they were attending an audition for "America's Next Top Model". In doing this, God's Holy place is reduced to a showroom for women to reveal their newest outfit, most recent tatoo, and glamorous hairdos.
Unfortunately, many of us as women were never taught that there is more to value in us than what meets the eye. The inside of our bodies--our character, our morals--is what God cares about. However as young girls, a lot of what we heard as compliments were things like, "You look so pretty in your new dress today, Katie!" or "Jamie, I like your curls."
Will you join me in a unique and challenging task? I charge you to commit to begin to compliment girls and young ladies on their inner beauty. The Bible says, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful." 1 Peter 3:3-5a
There are so many ways to compliment these younger women on their inner beauty. "Josey, I love how you prayed in front of the class even though you were scared." "Lucy, thank you for mothering your sister while your mom was away. That's just what Jesus would do." "Holly, how wonderful that you made it to church even with a broken leg. I can see where your heart is." Pray to God for the opportunities and the words to say. Let's tell this next generation of young women how good they look to God.
