A couple of years ago, Demi Lovato came out with a new song, “Skyscraper.” The lyrics proclaim:
Skies are crying
I am watching
Catching teardrops in my hands
Only silence as it’s ending, like we never had a chance
Do you have to, make me feel like there is nothing left of me?
[Chorus]
You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I’m made of glass
Like I’m made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper!
Like a skyscraper!
While these lyrics do have a positive ending — she will rise again — the power she is giving to another human tears me up! “Do you have to tear me like there is nothing left of me? You can take everything I have? Break everything I have?”
I am guessing that as a mom, you’re heart for your child is similar to mine: I don’t want my daughter to be that vulnerable with a guy that she allows him the power to tear her and take everything she has.
I am teaching my girls to protect their hearts and to guard the most valuable thing she has.
And you know what, I am teaching my girls that it is their responsibility to protect guys, too.
When my daughter Madi was just a 14 year old, she blew me away with this statement:
“You know, Mom, everything that we do is selfish.”
I think I sat there with my mouth hanging open for awhile. Did she just say that?
She went on to explain that even our best intentions are often filled with selfish motives. I serve another, because it makes me feel good when I do. I choose not to act the way she acts, not because I know it pleases God, but it makes me feel better when I don’t stoop to their level.
I really think Madi is on to something. So…let’s spring board off her thoughts. When our girls choose to dress a certain way for the sake of “style” or because “that’s what looks good,” if it is something that stirs the heart or mind of a boy…or a man…it is selfish. It is selfish because we…I mean, our girl…is caught thinking more of themselves than of the male who has to fight to not to have lustful thoughts.
Friend, this week’s topic really has to start with us. How do we dress? Do we think it is okay to show our bra straps? (It’s just so much easier not to have to figure out a way to hide them.) Do we allow a little bit of cleavage to show saying, “It is really no big deal!”? These are real challenges for me. (Well not the cleavage part, that’s not really an issue.)
So let it start with us. Let us start by being unselfish with our wardrobe and ask the Lord to help us to protect others and honor Him.
Today’s Video
In today’s video I address dress, because it is something as women that we make a choice on every day! I’ve asked my daughter Mariah this question: “What is a mom to do when she is so tired of fighting over how her girl dresses?” Here’s Mariah’s answer…
If you can’t see this video, click here: http://youtu.be/y6weH_r5hW4.
Live it out, ladies! Our girls are watching us!
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Lynn Cowell is an author and speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She has been married for over 25 years and has a grown son and two daughters in high school. She has written two books His Revolutionary Love and Devotions for a Revolutionary Year. Her favorite things include the mountains, well-worn sweatshirts and anything that combines chocolate and peanut butter. To connect with Lynn, you can find her at LynnCowell.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
