“Mommy, Am I Beautiful?”

It seems to me, that when a young woman knows the correct answer to this pivotal question, she uses her time more wisely, and she gives more generously. She enjoys godliness with contentment, which is great gain! A young woman who understands the secret of true beauty will build her home with supreme wisdom and fruitfulness.

In anticipation of this universal question of femininity, I memorized this poem that reflects the Proverbs 31 woman:

Beautiful faces are they that wear

The light of a pleasant spirit there.

Beautiful hands are they that do

Deeds that are noble, good, and true.

Beautiful feet are they that go

Swiftly to ease another’s woe.

I recited this little rhyme when my daughters were infants as I tickled their faces (“Beautiful faces…”), clapped their hands (“Beautiful hands…”), and jiggled their feet up and down (“Beautiful feet…”). Then, of course, I would tickle them like crazy afterwords.

Now that the little girls are getting older, this poem comes up as we’re getting ready in the morning. I recite it about the girls themselves; I recite it about myself.

It comes up when Viv points out her “favorite” female singer on the Super Strong God DVD. We say, “Wow! She really is pretty! Imagine if she’s just as beautiful on the inside!”

It comes up when the girls page through the American Girl catalog in search of their “wish list”. We remember Josefina’s willingness to serve her family; or Molly’s discovery about true friendship.

It comes up when Lia dons scarf, necklaces, tutu, sunglasses, and tap-shoes, spinning around to look for my approval. Of course I say, “You look lovely!” Then, I look for opportunities for her to serve her sister, father, and friends. When she does, I offer the same compliment, but with even more heart.

Every day, our daughters are making decisions about what truly makes someone beautiful.

And I want to be a part of their discovery.

I dare you to memorize the poem this week with your daughters. It’s catchy!