Attention Mothers of Daughters

I watch Oprah occasionally, but I think God directed me there today. I'm not sure if anyone saw it, but several people who read my blog have daughters and tons of my friends have daughters. You can read about it at www.oprah.com. The basic storyline was about little girls who have poor self esteem at age 4, 5, etc. There was also a teenager who hated herself more than I've ever seen anyone hate themselves. This is nothing new, however, what I didn't realize is how much a mother can contribute to this way of thinking in their daughters by how much we like ourselves. In every situation, the mothers had poor self esteem and the daughters saw this in their moms and received daily messages (unintentionally) from their moms which they translated into their own esteem. The moms would say, "you are beautiful, you're skinny to their daughters" in the same breath they would complain about their own appearance. It's not enough to just say to your child "beauty is from within", etc. We must work out our own insecurities or they will be passed on. It's amazing how much you don't realize until it's too late.

It was a real wakeup call. I would never forgive myself if Nora saw any insecurity in me and learned from this. There are sooo many times when I'm getting dressed and change into another outfit because I didn't like the way it looked on me. I complain about my face, hair, teeth, etc. Just the other day I had someone tell me about her five year old daughter who was getting dressed and said "mom, it just doesn't feel right". Where else could she have learned that statement? It really opened my eyes to feel everyday that God made me, I am beautiful to Him, your looks will disappear and what you have left is your inside. That will never go away if you work hard on maintaining your character, integrity, personality, etc. I must teach Nora that not only through words, but in the way I act toward myself daily.
Thought I would share. It was a great show.

On another note, a close friend of mine at work gave me something I'd never seen before today. It was a calendar that had specific things to pray about for your children. She took her daughter to college the other day (which I can't even fathom the emotions she was feeling), but when talking to about it she said, you know angie, she will be okay because I know her soul is ready. In other words, she has trained her so well that she has no worries about her daughter making the right decisions with all the freedom she's about to have. It made me realize, gosh, I'm responsible for Nora's soul. I better start praying more! I am giving Kevin a copy of this prayer to keep at work, this way Nora has her mother and father praying daily for specific things in her life. I tried to scan it and put it on my blog but I was having technical difficulties.

Here's some examples:
1- (first day of month) Salvation
Lord, I pray that my children would obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10
2- God's grace
I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18.
3- Love
Father, grant that my children would learn to live a life of love, through the spirit who lives in them. Eph. 5:2
4- Integrity
Lord, may integrity and uprightness protect my children because their hope is in you. Psalm 25:21

It's helpful because I try and pray for Nora daily, but sometimes I'm repetitive. This helps you organize your prayers and pray for everything from contentment to boldness. If you're interested in a copy post your address on the world wide web (kidding, e-mail me angiedee22@yahoo.com) and I'll send you a copy.