Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Building a fortress around her.






Raising a little girl is an incredible job. From the moment her precious eyes can view the world, she is bombarded by images and ideas of who she should be. She will wish to be taller, she will wish to be thinner. She may dream of having curly hair, unless her hair is curly, in which case she will see beauty in straight locks. Maybe she will hear a song about a beautiful brown eyed girl and begin to dislike her own sparkly blue eyes. Chances are, she will see a movie at some point in her very young life that makes her believe that if only she were the most beautiful girl in the world, she would be sought after by the perfect prince. She will no doubt come across an advertisement that awakens a deep desire to be seen as sexy (even if she doesn't really know what that means) and she will know somewhere in her heart that she will never achieve that level of perfection. It's just the way it is... or is it? Is it possible that she can find freedom from all those thoughts, feelings and pressures? I truly believe she can.

She can be told that she is precious. That she is whole. That she IS royalty, she is the daughter of the very creator of all that exists and she is overwhelmingly beautiful.



3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 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. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. 

1 Peter 3:3-5


My husband and I have one daughter. I must confess that after having two sons, I was certain that I was meant to raise all boys! Until I held her. I touched her sweet face. I will never forget the look on my husbands face as he held her. There was an instant, unspoken agreement- we would not be letting the world define her beauty. We can't keep her in a bubble or lock her in a tower, but we can build a fortress of truth around her. One that will not be destroyed by the continuous flood of lies. 


Our girl is like many girls, she loves all things pink. She loves ballerinas, princesses and would live happily in a tutu all the days of her life. She leaps and twirls and sweetly brushes the hair out of her eyes and will ask, "Daddy, am I fancy? Am I beautiful?" He will oooh and aaah! He will spin her around and then I will hear him quietly tell her what I've heard him say time and time again, "You are so precious. You are beautiful. But it's not your fancy clothes, it's not your sparkly shoes, it's not your hair. It's YOU. God made you." I happened to snap a picture of one of those very moments...


And another brick is placed onto the fortress of truth. 

I am not naive. I know that she will experience moments of feeling inadequate in her lifetime, but I believe that her heart will seek refuge in her fortress of truth, the place where she goes to be reminded.

I got ready for a date with my husband recently and my little girl reached for my face to whisper to me (as she often does), and she said, "mommy, you look beautiful. But it's not your fancy hair, it's not your lip gloss- it's you."

So dear reader and friend, if no one has told you- if no one has whispered to you... You are so very precious. You are worthy. You are adored. You are beautiful. BUT it's not your hair, it's not your fancy clothes, it's not the makeup upon your face. It's YOU. 

11 comments:

  1. If Pop were not sitting here with me, I'd be "ugly-crying" right now. What a beautiful post! Thank you for writing it!

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    1. Thanks mama. Thank you and dad for teaching me how to build up my own fortress. I love you.

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    2. I was totally "ugly-crying"! You nailed it on this one, Heidi!!

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  2. I'm bawling!! Thank you so much for your words. You speak right to my hearr and you bless me beyond words with your spirit. I love you, precious friend!

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  3. Tears. And I'm watching archer and it's hilarious. Beauitiful. Absolutely perfect, you and your wonderful family are.

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  4. Yep, ugly crying here too. You are amazing in every way possible and I'm proud to call you my friend.

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  5. I'm so proud to know you and of the woman and mom you have become. I have always admired your beauty inside and out, and developed an appreciation for myself through you and your family. I love you Heidi, and appreciate that not only are you building a fortress around your daughter, you help others build and reinforce their own.

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    1. Laurie, you make me cry! It is so amazing when another person can see your heart and your purpose! I love you!

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    2. see what I mean!! Reinforcing!!!

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