A Good and Perfect Girl

Looking at this image, it’s hard not to let out a frustrated sigh. Here we go again- or STILL. Looking at this sweet little girl, it’s a painful reminder of the hostile reality she faces. According to statistics… 50% of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight. According to Time magazine, 80% of all children have been on a diet by the time they've reached fourth grade. 86% of people with eating disorders report onset of an eating disorder by age 20. 10% report onset at ten years or younger. (Mirasol: www.mirasol.net) Eating disorders are not just affecting young adults and teenagers. Now, it’s children. Children! They’re learning it somewhere, from someone, right? All the more reason we need to remember and be vigilant about the following scripture: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 Are we placing such dire importance upon perfection, thinness and image? How do we address and discuss it with our children? They won’t be able to avoid the image issues. And, with girls, especially, there seems to be an emphasis on pleasing, connected to personal appearance. We may not directly teach the lesson, “you’re a good girl if you’re thin/pretty,” but they learn it, nevertheless. We can impact the voices, however. We can arm our children with the Truth of God’s Word: you’re already good, wonderful and valuable AS IS! “Since you were precious in my sight… I have loved you…” Isaiah 43:4 “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” Psalm 139:14 “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3 Let’s tell our children, like this little girl here, they are worthwhile already! Copyright © 2013 by Sheryle Cruse