As my seven-year-old daughter and I stood in a checkout line on Saturday afternoon, I spotted a young woman sitting at a table. She was obviously some type of beauty queen, a tiara on her head and a sash across her body.
I pointed her out to my daughter, who is not familiar with pageants and such, but does like collecting autographs. The woman smiled and waved at my daughter who, having never met a stranger, walked over to her. She returned a moment later with a card bearing a picture of the woman and her name handwritten across the front.
When we got in the car, my daughter was studying the picture. Hoping not to let a teachable moment pass, I mentioned that the girl was very pretty. My daughter agreed; then I stated that I hoped she was as pretty on the inside as she was on the outside.
We’ve had previous discussions along these lines, so my daughter knew exactly what I meant. I have always tried to emphasize with both of our girls how important true beauty is – that it comes from the way you treat others, the attitudes you express, the peace and joy that can only show on your face when they’re in your heart.
It always bring me full circle to determining whether or not I am setting the example in true beauty. Do my daughters see me spending more time making my inside or my outside pretty?
Today I want to be truly beautiful. Amidst the fine lines and the highlight-covered gray hairs, I want my inner beauty to shine
Find other gifts to celebrate today at Tuesdays Unwrapped.
Sometimes the weight of bringing up girls feels extra heavy, doesn't it?! Love this sweet teachable moment.
That's a wonderful post. I had a conversation with my 21 year old (who had just broken up with his girlfriend)to remind him that it's what's INSIDE a person that's important; she doesn't have to be amazingly cute or beautiful on the outside.
Love this. Love that you used that moment to teach her something of eternal value.
I'm totally w/ you on hoping to never miss those teachable moments…good for you! It's so easy for little eyes (and big eyes) to become fixated on beauty as the world sees it. It sounds like she has a beautiful mommy!
Great post, Tracey!! So much of my testimony as a Christian involves coming out of the mania with the outside beauty and being transformed by Christ's love and mercy into a woman with true inside beauty! You can bet you will read some of that on the "Femininity Series" coming up!! Lord willing, I'm looking forward to these kinds of teachable moments with my daughter in the years to come. I just love your blog and the practical wisdom you provide for ladies of all ages….such truth can't be spread enough! Have a blessed day!
What an awesome post! I have always tried to take advantage of teachable moments, too. You're right, our actions can overshadow our words so we want to make sure our actions convey what our words are saying!
Oh, yes! I definitely want them seeing me trying to make my inside pretty more so than outside. 😀 Great post!