Recently it has become evident to me more than ever, the stereotypes our society tells us women to be. Growing up my parents raised me to respect my body and encouraged me to be confident and comfortable with whom God made me to be. They raised me to be conservative in my clothing and to respect my elders and teachers. They raised me to respect others who didn’t share my beliefs. I didn’t have to tolerate or accept their beliefs, but that I should love them as Jesus would love them and respect the fact that they are a person that they have feelings too. They taught me to stand up for what is right and for those who are treated unfairly, or picked on, even though it would probably be hard. My parents taught me that dating isn’t just to have fun, but to look for a future spouse. Someone to love and grow in Christ with, someone who would be there to help me further my walk in Christ. They raised me not to curse or talk provocatively, and to stand up for my beliefs. My parents raised me not to smoke, underage drink, do drugs, or have sex before marriage.They told me not to watch rated R movies without their permission.
Many of my friends growing up told me I was boring, called me a loser, and even tried to convince me it was ok to do these things because teenagers are supposed to be rebellious. But to me it was more than just obeying my parents. The Bible says to honor thy father and thy mother (Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:2). Doing what my parents asked of me and respecting what they told me not to do, was an honor, to my parents and God. To say no to that “friend” who offered me drugs and alcohol, or that boy who wanted to be more than good friends, made me different, and showed people I was different. I don’t have to conform to society to be happy. I have an amazing family, parents who love and support me, a brother and sister who are my best friends, and a God who is ALWAYS there for me. I have friends who accept me and share my faith and beliefs, and friends who accept me and respect my faith and beliefs.
I have never had sex, done any drugs, or drank alcohol. I have never shown more of my body than what a one-piece bathing suit covers (I generally wear a rash guard and board shorts over it anyway) and the only time I’ve worn makeup is to my junior and senior prom. I have never kissed a guy nor have I been kissed. But don’t get me wrong, I am by far nowhere near perfect. I have my flaws and I am guilty of my fair share of sinning every day. I have my rough patches where taking the hard right over the easy wrong has caused me heartache and even sometimes left me wondering if it was worth it. But in the end it most definitely is. Not being that “normal” girl society wants me to be is quite fun, and leaves me with less feelings of regret. However I do have regrets, there are some things I do wish I could go back and change, but the decisions I have made have only made me stronger in the end, and have strengthened my relationship with Christ. I am not your average girl. I’m not superskinny, I don’t wear makeup, I don’t wear the hottest clothes, and I’ve never been kissed. I am proud to be a virgin and to wait until I’m married, and I am proud to be a child of God. I don’t have to continue to abide by my parents rules anymore. I am 19 years old, I have moved out, and I have a full time job. But my parents didn’t just make those rules up, they set those standards because that is what the Bible says how we should live; it is what God says we should be. My parents are nowhere near perfect and neither am I, but that is the amazing part about being a Christian. You don’t have to be perfect, you can’t be perfect. My crooked teeth, average body, and odd sense of humor make me, me,and sets me apart from who society says I should be. I am not beautiful for my body, face, or hair. I am beautiful for who I am on the inside, a child of God, and probably happier and more satisfied than I could ever be otherwise. I am different, I am me, I am a daughter of the one true king.
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