I'm sure that many of you have come across the "Toddler and Tiara" videos that circulate the net, some of you might have even watched the show. They're every where you look these days and many of them are disturbing as we see young children in provocative clothing prancing around on stage. In fact I touched on the subject a few weeks ago in a post called, "Raising Girls in a Me Generation."
Even more disturbing was a video I saw last night. The coach on TLC's new show "Dance Moms" instructed the girls to dance "topless." Well, not exactly "topless," they wore flesh colored bras to give the illusion that they were naked on stage. The coach instructed them to jump around on stage thinking words like, "You can't have me... You can't afford me..."
My heart breaks. And each time they push that envelope it breaks again and again. Where will it stop?
I won't even share the video clip with you because it's that disturbing and it doesn't need to be seen. Children are not dolls to display like possessions, they aren't objects to be exploited for gain, and it should go without saying--but unfortunately it must be said--they are not sex objects.
As I carried the burden with me today I asked the Lord, What can I do? Aside from turning the television off, and caring for the children I have, what can I offer to those whose purity and innocence I so desire to protect?
Absorbing the words of J.R. Miller from his book entitled The Family the answer was clear: I can either stand and wag a finger in judgement or I can get down on my knees and pray. Praying not only for those mothers who are in the public eye, but for this mother of four with all of her imperfections who by the grace of Our Lord is a work in progress. Failing time and again I continue to press on for the goal, guiding young hearts with every step that I take.
Would you like to join me in praying for the purity of our children? If so... this is one prayer we can start with:
“Oh that God would give every mother a vision
of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her
when a babe is placed in her bosom to be nursed and trained!
Could she have but one glimpse
into the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity;
could she look into it’s soul to see its possibilities;
could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility
for the training of this child,
for the development of its life, and for its destiny,
–she would see that in all God’s world there is no other work so noble
and so worthy of her best powers,
and she would commit to no others hands the sacred and holy trust given to her.”
-JR Miller
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Beautiful post Darlene! Amen!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
Thanks, Courtney. Isn't it weird that I have a chat box?! ;)
DeleteExactly my thoughts. I recently read a post on a covenant ceremony between father and daughter. And people were saying it was weird, sick, and incestuous. That is just sad. Parading girls around as sex objects is ok, but a father protecting his daughters purity is weird? This ol' world is messed up!
ReplyDeleteWow, yeah, no kidding. That reminds me of a scene in courageous. I loved that movie.
DeleteAnd we wonder why there are so many pedophiles and twisted sexual perverts. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt's very frightening when we see how much of this is in our world. And it breaks my heart to even fathom how much is done in secret.
DeleteThat prayer made me weep, thank you for sharing today.
ReplyDeleteKM Logan
Me too it's so beautifully written and means so much. I love his writing!
DeleteDarlene, Thank you so very much for posting this today. I am sharing this and standing with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ginger!
DeleteFor where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. ~ Matthew 18:20
This made me tear up, too, Darlene! May I share this on my blog (www.trulyrichmom.com), linking to this post, of course? :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, thank you Tina!
DeleteThat is so depressing! Our world is quickly becoming a scarier and scarier place to raise kids. I'm glad our God is a powerful God.
ReplyDeleteOn one hand I pray that the Lord comes quickly, but yet there are so many to be reached yet. I'm so glad we have a wise creator.
DeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteI'd just like to add that I am guilty of watching that show, Dance Moms and have seen that episode. I grew up in the dance world and only recently got out of it. I wasn't as good as those girls, or even as serious, but I was there nearly every day of my life and saw a lot of interesting things. At currently 19, my eyes have been opened to the dangers of what is "norm" in the dance world. I once had to have a man removed from a performance because I felt strongly I was being sexually harassed at just 12 years old. No one believed me other than my mom and I felt embarrassed as people laughed at me. Later, my dance teacher had talked to me and let me know that that has happened to her many times in the professional dance world. I look back on my years as a serious dancer, and even dance teacher, and hurt for all the little girls who are treated as sexual objects in the dance world. It happens SO often with serious dancers, and I think it is obvious on the show Dance Moms. I have learned so much through people like you about how to raise my future children, God willing. I might not have a family to teach me, but you ladies all really help.
ReplyDeleteCassie, I'm really glad to hear that you had a mom took you seriously. Parenting is such an important job!!
DeleteAnother great post, Darlene. As a mother of three beautiful girls (all under the age of 7), my heart breaks at the filth and insanity on tv today that targets little girls. We all know that the main problem is the mothers of these children, who are, for whatever reasons, very insecure and unfulfilled so much that it has driven them to such craziness seen on these reality shows. I pray that God can somehow fill those voids in their hearts, and therefore save these girls from growing up in an even worse state.
ReplyDeleteIt has to start with good parenting for sure. Great thoughts Jennifer!
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful! I just found this blog and I love it. Thank you, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am just seeing this, but great post! I totally agree with everything you just said. My six year old daughter does not even know what a boyfriend/girlfriend is! She is only allowed to watch cartoons like Max and Ruby, Little Bear or Clifford (most kids her age have moved onto iCarly, etc). I believe in keeping them little as long as you can. The world tries to make them grow up too fast.
ReplyDelete