The King is Enthralled by your Beauty

Having a daughter on the verge of teendom (Madison turns 13 in March) has me stepping into the unknown.  In our culture today, how do I keep my daughter's self-image accurate?  What is my mother-role now?  Wow - I've been through almost a dozen books on teenage girls in the past couple of months - everything from a father's influence, to teenage modesty, to self-image to giftings...

Right now my girl seems so free and unaware of all the media hype about body image. We've always seriously limited t.v (therefore ad) exposure, and banned most magazines from our home.  She is mildly aware of all the teenage celebrities out there, but her interests in friendship, music, and church have taken precedence in her head space. 

In a few weeks she will be a teenager.  Madison is beautiful - she is thoughtful, caring and generous.  My daughter is mature beyond her years regarding empathy and responsibility.  She wants God's will for her future.  She loves children, and isn't embarassed by spending time with girls younger than herself, as she plays the big sister role to many more than just her brothers.  My girl is artistic and creative.  She takes joy in everything she tries from drama, to music to sports to youth group. 

Madison isn't a piano prodigy, but she will use her moderate skills to engage others in worship.  She isn't into reading profound academic classics of depth, but she is an intense little bookworm who gets carried away to new adventures on a daily basis. 

Her brothers adore her (most of the time), and she's kind and helpful and patient with them (most of the time).  When Kaden or Carson are frightened, they love to curl up on her lap or snuggle in her bed with her.  When she's at a friend's house, Adrian wanders around, lost without his sidekick. 

She's my favorite cooking companion, and her sense of humor is emerging to look just like mine (Dean's a little concerned).  And she's her Dad's princess, and favorite girl to take out to breakfast (I'm not willing to get up early just to get food).

But all of this treasure is considered weightless in a world that values the outward appearance above the inner being. 
Killing Us Softly is only one of dozens of sites that attempt to expose media attitudes towards and about women.  It's awful.

I am frustrated by the need to reshape, and resize our girls and women until they might approach the word "beautiful". 

WHAT IF MY GIRL EVER THINKS SHE'S NOT BEAUTIFUL? 
IS THERE EVEN A CHANCE THAT SHE WILL FIND HERSELF BEAUTIFUL?

"The King is enthralled by your beauty." 

Psalm 45:11 

My only hope in this is to continue to lead my girl to Father's arms where she will find her true image reflected in His eyes.  My only prayer that she will continue to value His view of her above all others.