*This post is dedicate to all the Young Women I have had the privilege to serve with in the past, present and future*
Driving to southern Utah gives me a lot of time to think. About my family, my friends, myself.
Today I was thinking about my young women. In my church, the youth are organized into their own groups. The Young Men and Young Women ages 12 - 18 meet the third hour of our meeting block. We also have activities every week, camps, and special conferences all designed to strengthen the youth in all areas. Spiritually, socially, self reliance etc....
I've been lucky enough to serve in that organization off and on for several years. Today I was thinking about the girls that have moved on. Some are married and having babies or their own, some are in school, they are just adults living their lives. Seeing their successes is something that brings me a lot of joy.
I thought of our current girls. And not just the ones in the age group that I specifically work with, but all of them. Individually, I saw faces and wondered how they were doing. Some of their struggles I know about, and some they keep to themselves.
Thinking back on my own teenage years, I remember how fragile that time is. Especially as girls. We are SO HARD on ourselves. We see perfection in the media. The magazines, the videos, the TV - all perfect skin, perfect bodies, beautiful teeth and hair. How can we possibly compete with what the world tells us we should be? We simply can't. How can I get my girls to not just know this, but KNOW it. Like have it ingrained into their hearts?
And a favorite song of mine came on the ipod, oh about Scipio and it hit me again. My girls are perfect JUST THE WAY THEY ARE. I will keep working on helping them internalize this truth.
But for today, I want them to know that I love them exactly the way they are. No one needs a make-over. No one needs to be skinnier, taller, shorter, smarter, bigger, more athletic, more musical, more popular.
You are the wonderful daughters of Heavenly Father who creates perfection in everything he does. When we complain about our perceived flaws, we are criticizing our God who made us. We are exactly what we should be. Keep being the wonderful, sweet, smart and beautiful girls that you are. You inspire me. You make me want to be better. You are perfect!
I love the Pink song "Perfect". It says exactly what a lot of young women and even us older ones need to hear.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great message to your Young Women. Just keep reminding them. On some level it will sink in.
So very true. It take many of us years, if not decades, to figure out we were born with everything we need to be *just right* What a pointless waste of angst.
ReplyDeleteThey are so lucky to have you as their leader. I remember a lot of teachers and leaders from my youth, but it is the YW leaders that definitely stand out in my mind and that I still love to this day.
ReplyDeleteYou have got to be one of the best YW leaders ever! You have so much love for these girls and I know how fun you are!
ReplyDeleteGreat words :-D
a simple smile says it all!
ReplyDeleteWhen my girls hit YW age I hope and pray they have leaders like you.
ReplyDeleteyou are in the perfect place, with those girls.
ReplyDeletePerfect thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome that you think of them when you are away from them.
It makes me wonder if my YW leaders thought about me a million years ago.
Wonderful, wonderful thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI miss being in YW. I got released in the fall, and even though I only had one Young Woman, I desperately miss our time together.
Hi! I am Debbi DeWitt's niece that you met at South Jordan Clinic. I found your blog thru my aunt's blog and I just love it. It is so fun to read, and I really hope the best for you all!! Chloe is a babe, and all of us at the clinic just LOVE when you guys stop by!!
ReplyDeleteI love this song! Sometimes it's the encouragement I need.
ReplyDeleteSometimes EVERYONE needs encouragement and reminders that they are important/valued.
ReplyDelete