“Sound judgment and good sense will protect you." ~ Proverbs
2:11
Dad’s Perspective : If you
have a teenage daughter, or work with teenage girls, then you know just how
hard it is to reach them during those defiant, boundary-pushing years. Fed up with my daughter’s wardrobe choices, I took
the offensive.
After enduring hours of painful embarrassment, we decided to
cap the night off with dessert at a local ice cream joint. Kristin pleaded for us to drive-through. I declined – she refused and waited in the
car.
I’m not sure if my lesson on modesty sunk in, but I’m glad I
took a risk and parented "outside the box." I love her and care enough to make a fool out
of myself.
Daughter’s
Perspective: Some kids lose their
cell phones if they're naughty, some get their allowance cut, some just get
yelled at. My Dad was far more creative.
Imagine your beefy, middle-aged dad playing
mini-golf dressed like a geek, exposing legs meant to be covered.
How could he do that to me?
Tonight’s memory will be seared into my brain forever. “People will be reminding me of this as I eat
mush in the nursing home.” #traumatizedandhumiliated
God’s
Perspective: Children, diamonds are
mined from deep in the earth, covered and protected. You’ll find pearls at the bottom of the
ocean, encased in beautiful shells.
You’ll find gold shielded by layers of rock, and tough to retrieve.
Your body is sacred and unique - far more precious than
gold, diamonds and pearls!
Your dress sets the tone for how others see you and your
faith. Short shorts and low-cut tops
draw unnecessary attention. Being modest
in your appearance allows others to see your inner faith rather than your outer
appearance.
One Final
Perspective: Dads - your approval is
extremely significant in your daughter’s life, so be careful in how you relate
to them. Both words and tone matter
greatly. Even though she may act like
she resents your intrusion at times, she really does care about what you
think of her.
Let her know that she’s beautiful – that she is unique in
your eyes and God’s. Point out the
positive, “I really like the color of that shirt – It brings out your eyes. A little affirmation before launching into:
“It’s too tight/short/see-through ...” will help her be more open to your
opinion.
And don’t forget to talk to your sons too. Teach them not to objectify women based on
how they’re dressed; how what a girl wears doesn’t determine who she is as a
person. Remind them that dressing a
certain way doesn’t give them a free pass in how they treat women.
Lord, help me weave a pattern of modesty into
the lives of my children; habits that will become so much a part of their moral
fiber that they’ll freely and fully enjoy being the adult You designed them to
be. Amen
