Mom Seriously: Redefine Beautiful

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One of the lies prevalent in our girls' everyday culture is this one: If my friends like the way I look, then they will like me.

This lie is kind of tricky to explain because, unfortunately, there are some people who will like you just because they like the way you look. This lie hinges on the word "friends." Real friends are going to be there when you look your best and when you are simply not having a good hair day. :) And even the most gorgeous person can't be guaranteed the blessing of real friends because it is not just about the way you look! It's about your heart.

At the Pure In Heart Conference this Saturday, I'll be talking about that lie, and I will be countering it with the weapon of God's Word! The verse I will be using is one of my favorites, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). I like the way the Amplified Bible expounds on this verse:

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

That's a lot to explain to 11 and 12 year olds, so I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit will be present to speak to their hearts and interpret the Word for them in a way that they can each understand it! After all, He is the one Who takes on the responsibility of making the Word plain!

Photo by Redefining Beautiful

There are a group of girls at a high school in Colleyville, TX (where a Pure In Heart Conference was held last year!), who have taken on the responsibility of redefining beauty by way of a brave, personal statement. Six girls wanted to send a small yet symbolic statement to their peers that girls don't need all the goop and glitter of makeup to be beautiful. So, they had T-shirts made (every great cause has its own T-shirt!) that proclaimed Redefining Beautiful on the front, and One Girl at A Time on the back, and every Tuesday, these six girls arrive at school sans makeup--all because they want people to know that it's okay to do that. It's okay to not do what everyone else does. In just a few weeks time, that half-dozen girls snowballed into over 200! Two hundred fresh-faced, makeup-free gals who are getting a little extra sleep :) and employing the power of sisterhood to just be themselves!

Photo by Redefining Beautiful

I didn't start leaving the house without makeup on until I was an adult--really! Something about toddlers and no diapers in the house led to an early morning run to the grocery once and I was cured! LOL! I'm proud of these girls for taking a stand. Incredibly, their story made the national news. They are an oddity. They are rare. They merit the status newsworthy because they are going against the flow and redefining beautiful.