Last night was AMAZING. It was Peanut's 8th Grade Spring Formal. As soon as she got home from school, we started with nails, make up and hair. The minute she slipped on the dress and put on the jewelry... Lets just say this momma's heart was melted.
She told me that for the first time, she felt "pretty".
My heart sank...
Who says she's not pretty?
My daughter is beautiful and it isn't only surface pretty.
She is intelligent- she is not only book smart but also common sense smart.
She has compassion- especially for children and animals.
She is an overcomer- she has lived through much more pain
and heartache than any other teen I know.
It really had me thinking all night about parenting teen girls. I have taught Peanut about modesty, about loving herself, about caring for herself, standing up for herself and standing up for others.
But self esteem is lacking.
How in the world do you "fix" this in the next 4 years before she goes off to college?
I know the answer to that question, I don't "fix" anything.
Whatever God's purpose is for Peanuts life, He is working out.
He is moving in her heart, even as she sleeps this morning.
He knows the future.
He will not leave her.
He is her heavenly Father.
He will be here strength on the tough days.
He can show her what true beauty is.
He is the only one who can show her what true love is.
So my job is simple: to love her, to encourage her and to point her to Him.
Sounds easy... but so hard to do.
She is watching me.
She will follow my lead (a little intimidating.)
I want her to be courageous.
I want her to love others.
I want her to follow the plan that God has for her life.
I want her to learn to love God with all of her heart.
I want her to understand grace and learn to extend it to others.
So my job is: to follow God,
to be courageous; to love others;
to follow God's plan; to love God with all of my heart,
to extend grace to those around me and to accept God's grace.
I want her to be brave and to be herself. I want her to feel beautiful.
Here's my chance to show her how to feel those things- by feeling them myself.
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