My girls are beautiful; there’s no doubt about it. And of course I want them to grow up with a healthy body image (and by that I mean that they are grateful for the body and features God gave them and they know God fashioned them in a unique way), but there is so much more to life than feeling pretty!
Vera (age 3 at the time) was standing in front of the mirror several months ago, smoothing her hair, fixing her dress, and turning around to see herself from different angles.
“Do you think I look pretty?” she asked.
“Of course you do, honey! You look beautiful,” I responded.
But then I added:
“Do you know what is more important than being pretty?”
“What?” she asked.
“Being kind.”
I then explained to her that while her daddy and I think she is so pretty, what we (and God) value more is when she is kind to her sister and brother. I told her that when we’re kind to others it actually makes us even more beautiful, and that even really pretty girls who are mean and unkind don’t seem all that pretty to others.
Growing up, my parents certainly told me I was beautiful, but that was not their primary emphasis. I was encouraged MUCH more in godly character, perseverance, kindness, and obedience. I learned at a young age that our character is what matters to the Lord, not our outward appearance.
We continue to teach these principles to Vera and Cordelia, and I’ve even started a new little phrase in our house to help them remember what is important.
“That’s SO pretty!” I’ll say when Vera shares with Jude, or I’ll ask, “Vera, wasn’t that pretty?” when Cordelia brings Vera a stuffed animal when she is sad. It’s catching on at our house!
Little girls (and big girls too!) should know that being kind is better than being pretty!
