Dear Daughters, It’s Me Mom

I’ve often found myself wondering about how sad it would be if I don’t get a chance to tell my daughters all I need too.  I’ve thought of writing   a journal, Notes to My Daughters, it would be titled. But I’ve never started it. Maybe I have a fear that if I write it all down then something terrible will happen to me and I won’t be around to see them grow up. Sort of like the thinking of not making a will, because if you do you are sure to need it. But the fact is we will all leave this Earth sometime, and my faith in God tells me He has a plan for me and writing or not writing this journal is not going to alter that course:)

So I’ve decided to start my journal and to share some of the entries here. Because, after all, Motherhood is a universal language of sorts. I think all mother’s share certain fears, hopes, and dreams for their children. Maybe your mother didn’t get a chance to tell you all she needed to, maybe you’re a mother who struggles to find the words to share with your daughters. Maybe my letters to my daughters will help you, or maybe they will just entertain. And maybe you will have words to share that will help me along the way!

Dear Daughters,

Today I am reminded of how easily we place our value on the image we see in the mirror. Our world seems to be on a quest for the “perfect” body, face and hair.  The magazine covers, the television shows, the never-ending stream of talk about a person’s physical features. It can become overwhelming and cause doubt about your own body to creep in.

First, I want to remind you of a scripture:

So God created mankind in his own image,in the image of God he created them;male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

It does not say that man created man in the image he thought was perfect. Which is what happens when plastic surgeons create a woman in the image of what the media has deemed beautiful.

So this is what I say to you. When you look in the mirror see  all the beautiful traits that make you you. I learned to dislike my freckles, being told one too many times they were “cute”. Or some boy would comment, “You mean the girl with all the freckles?” I read historical novels that commented that freckles were considered a flaw, and women who had these were homely. Ouch, really. I thought of covering them up, getting rid of them with lemon juice, but in the end I decided I wouldn’t be me without them. Thank goodness too, because one of the first things your Dad noticed about me were my freckles. He loved them:)

Next, I want you to realize that your value does not have anything to do with your physical appearance. And I realize that now and for the next several years that won’t seem the case. But what I hope for you is that when you look in the mirror and doubt or dislike what you see that you think of this:

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. Peter 3:3-4

Girls, you will just have to trust me that inner beauty is what is truly precious. It might not get you a modeling contract, or voted Most Beautiful, or even Homecoming Queen, but it will make you a most amazing person. One precious to those that love you, and trust me, many will love you.

We can’t all be 6 feet tall, blond and blue eyes and I’m sorry to say that you won’t be either, because it’s just not in your genes. But what I do know is that you ARE beautiful. Walk with the knowledge that God created you in His image. He believes you are truly beautiful, and as for perfect, well none of us are. Don’t ever give the power of your worth or your beauty over to someone else. Remember the saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. Well, you are the most important beholder. So look in that mirror and  celebrate who you are.

Love you bunches,

Mom