When I think I about the women who really had an impact on my life, there’s not a Britney, Christina, or Jessica among them. (There wasn’t a Miley, Vanessa, or Leighton when I was growing up, but I’m sure they would have been omitted as well.) In part, this is due to my parents’ wisdom in helping me choose TV shows and music, but also in large part due to the fact that I had no want for female role models, though the names of my role models are much less recognizable.
My list includes my mom, who was there for every important decision ranging from accepting Christ to choosing a prom dress; Pastor Laurie, my children’s pastor who laid a solid foundation for my relationship with the Lord; Tricia, who thought is was important enough to attend my eighth-grade musical that she drove eight hours through the night after the East Middle School presentation of Bye Bye, Birdie so she wouldn’t miss it; and Melissa, who showed me what it means to really invest in the lives of girls.
It’s completely natural for teenage girls to look for role models – someone to watch as they navigate the minefield of adolescence. It’s even biblical. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) Paul says, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”
No one is perfect. Pop princesses and pastors alike will disappoint eventually. There really is no perfect role model aside from Christ, but as girls see leaders living out exactly what it means to be a woman of God on a daily basis, they will learn from your example.
Right now, it might not seem like you’re having a greater impact on your girls than the pop stars and actresses of the world, but know that your faithfulness and consistency counts. Miley will probably never attend your girls’ soccer games. Britney won’t be teaching godly principles to your girls on a regular basis. Jamie Lynn probably won’t be taking your girls out for coffee.
Your consistent presence in your girls’ lives counts.
As you invest in the lives of girls, remember that though the girls may not wear your face on their T-shirts, sing along with your hit singles, or buy magazines with you on the cover, your life is an example they will follow.