“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet sprit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
Today’s Christian Daily Devotional
When I was younger, I rebelled against my mother and entered a beauty pageant. I bought my own dress, got my own sponsors and was not even sure if my mom was in the audience as I walked down the runway accepting my crown. I won Miss Teen Chicago, but I lost so much more. This was the beginning of the loss of my innocence. I would never look at my value (as a woman) the same. The competition and the obsession with vanity, only led to further degradation of my already low self-esteem. Looking back, I can see, that my mom was trying to protect me from a loss of my innocence. I could only see her as the enemy, trying to stop me from doing something that I wanted to do. I did not see the bigger picture. God wants good things for all of His children. He sees the bigger picture of what bad choices will lead to. Many times those choices will only take a week or two to recoup from, sometimes it takes a life-time. As I watch television, I see shows that dress little girls up in full face make-up to strut down the runway and compete for a crown. It saddens me to the core that the mothers that are supposed to protect their children and SAVE their innocence are selling it cheaply for a clap, a crown and a fading sash.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I regret that I rebelled against my mother. I give this sin to you, as I know she was a wise woman that wanted the best for me. I have brought the torment of my own low-self worth and esteem upon myself. I chose the “hard way”. Lord, I pray that you give mothers and daughters the wisdom to keep the most sacred part of childhood safe–their innocence. The world is hungry and waiting for the next human to consume and spit out, and our future generations are at risk for valuing the things that don’t matter and building their dreams upon a facade. Lord, open all our hearts to see our value beyond what the world says. Show us the truth, and help us not to rebel against your will. In Jesus’ precious name, all for the future generation not glory in themselves or encourage wickedness, Amen.”