Hello, Mini-Women! Have I mentioned that I love the Scripture verses on feet you've been sending in?
ISABELLE pointed out that in the Bible Jesus washed the disciples' feet, teaching us to be servants to people.
VERONICA gave us Psalm 110, where it says, ". . . I (will) make your enemies a footstool for your feet." She adds, "Just please don't go stand on your little sister because that's not what it means!" (I love that!)
ERIKA asked "Doesn't it say somewhere that Jesus will crush Satan under his heel or something?" Yes, actually, it does.
ANNA brought us "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105)
EMILY even did a post about "The dust beneath his feet" on her own blog.
RACHEL found my favorite one -- "Beautiful are the feet that carry the good news." In fact, when I went on a missions trip with a bunch of teen girls once, we called our team "The Beautiful Feet."
As REGAN puts it, "I wonder if God made feet for us to learn something! I think feet are a great way for people to learn more about God!" I agree. In fact, I think anything God made tells us something ABOUT God. Maybe that even includes hairy legs and arm pits . . .
I'm serious. If you haven't started growinghair under your arms, or the hair below your kinees hasn't gotten thicker than it used to be, it will eventually. It's part of that whole puberty thing. Then you'll need to decide whether you want to shave or not. Not everybody does it, you know. In Europe, for instance, it isn't unusual to go to a beach and see plenty of leg and pit hair, and nobody seems to be bothered by it. Here in the U.S. -- I don't know about Canada and Australia and China, so some of you will have to help us with that -- most women remove the hair from their legs and armpits to give themselves a smooth look.
So where does the God part come in? It has to do with that commandment about honoring your father and your mother. There are few coming-of-age issues that cause more battles between mothers and daughters than leg-shaving. Daughters want that sleek look and moms are saying:
* "You're too young. There's plenty of time for that. Don't grow up too fast."
* "Are you SERIOUS? I'm not turning you loose with a razor!"
* "No -- because once you start, the hair that grows back in will be more stubbly, and then you'll HAVE to shave. Just leave it alone for now."
THAT's where God comes in -- because if your mom says no, it stands. You have to honor her wisdom for you, because that's why God gave you parents. Nobody says you have to LIKE it -- but how you handle not agreeing with her is a God-thing, too. Once you've stated your reasons calmly (leaving out "Everybody else is doing it" because that never works), back off. No begging, whining, crying, tantrum-throwing, silent treatment, or door slamming. Just a mature agreement that even though you think she's dead wrong, you're going to go along with her wishes. Here's the good news: she isn't going to make you go hairy forever. Try asking her again in another six months. Meanwhile, trust me, you don't look like a gorilla, even if you feel like one. Keep in mind that everybody else your age is so busy thinking about their own "stuff" they aren't even looking at your legs, hairy or not. Try not to draw attention to your legs by trying to hide them, or pointing out to everybody who even glances your way that you KNOW your legs resemble a gibbon ape, okay? God-confidence is beautiful, no matter what, and even bushy legs can't change that.
There IS the other side of the situation, where your mom says it's time to de-fuzz those armpits and you do NOT want to take the time to do that, or the thought of going after your skin with a razor blade freaks you out. Try to think of it this way: when you go into puberty, your sweat glands become more active and, frankly, those pits can get pretty smelly. The hair growing there (another delightful result of puberty) traps the bacteria that makes that not-very-delicious aroma even less delicious. Shaving your legs is a matter of appearance. Armpits are about hygiene (that is, smelling better than your brother when he comes in from playing baseball).
If you and your mom do agree that it's time to break out the razor and the shaving cream, have her show you how to do it. Then add it to your Beauty Chart under EVERY DAY or WEEKLY -- that's up to you.
If you want to post today, tell us your shaving (or not shaving!) experiences -- or ask any questions you have on the subject. This just about wraps up our series on beauty, although we can continue to discuss the Beautiful You whenever you want. After all, EVERTHING we deal with here on teh blog is about helping you become the gorgeous person you were made to be inside and out, who will love and serve the Lord. Alleluia!
Blessings,
Nancy Rue
PS -- Heather, will you please email me so I can tell you how to collect your prize? Other winners: don't forget to email me your wish list!
Wow firt post! I remember the first time I tried to shave.
I didn't do it right at all!!! Oh I know here {I live in The Bahamas} people are always shaving!
Posted by: Caitlin | June 30, 2009 at 12:38 PM
I mean first.
Posted by: Caitlin | June 30, 2009 at 12:38 PM
I waited till the end of 5th grade to start shaving, since my leg hair is so blonde. See, I used to be a blonde up until i was 5 years old, but then my hair, like, magically turned light brown! But my leg hair didn't...so that was a definite plus 4 me...big thx to God!! :)
Posted by: Anna | June 30, 2009 at 01:26 PM
just wondering...but have you heard of the jonny diaz song "the more beautiful you"...it's really good!
Posted by: Anna | June 30, 2009 at 01:36 PM
My mom recently taught me how to shave my legs, and it's gone pretty well (though usually I forget to do it anyway).
Posted by: Katie | June 30, 2009 at 02:11 PM
I started shaving when I was 11, and I've found to ALWAYS use a certain kind of razor. It's a bit more expensive, but I don't knick myself nearly as much. I'm so excited! My birthday is a week from today! YAY! I'll be 13. (Finally!)
Posted by: Mikayla | June 30, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Really? My 14th birthday is tomorrow!
Posted by: Katie | June 30, 2009 at 03:30 PM
yea i figured out that if u are in a hurry it is better just to wait to shave unless you need to really bad, but i have only cut myself 2 or 3 times.
Posted by: hannah | June 30, 2009 at 05:18 PM
happy early birthday katie
Posted by: hannah | June 30, 2009 at 05:20 PM
Nancy,
i was one of the winners from the last contest and my mom sent you my address but i never got my book in the mail
Posted by: hannah | June 30, 2009 at 05:21 PM
And I didn't get mine.
Posted by: Caitlin | June 30, 2009 at 06:03 PM
happy b-day katie...so i dont 4get!
Posted by: Anna | June 30, 2009 at 06:12 PM
And happy birthday katie!
Posted by: Caitlin | June 30, 2009 at 07:19 PM
Hey,
Australia is so much like America, so yeah, it's kinda gross to see women with hair coming out their arms, LOL!
I don't shave, cuz my mum said that when u shave, u have to do it like, every week or whatever, and I could so not be bothered doing that. Also, I didn't want spiky legs like her =P
Instead, I get my legs, underarms and eyebrows waxed (don't worry, I still have my eye-brows -- she just tidy's them up) and even though people say it hurts, It's SO not that bad! Actually, I love when she puts the hot stuff on, I just hate when she tears it off -- it feels like she's using her long nails to tear off the paper, LOLz, im not sure...=P
Luv,Emii
Posted by: Emii | June 30, 2009 at 08:04 PM
Hannah and Caitlin, I got n email from Mrs. Rue today, and she said she sent the Lucy book 3 out today in the mail, so that's why you probably haven't gotten it yet (if that's the contest you're talking about).
Posted by: Katie | June 30, 2009 at 08:29 PM
its winter over in australia so i dont shave my legs because i wear pants anyway -- no one can see. besides, i dont have that much hair...it's just blonde. for my armpits...well, mom got this cream thingie, i havent used it yet, but i will someday.
ill email as soon as possible, nancy. im still trying ti figure out what books id like. lol.
libby
Posted by: Libby | July 01, 2009 at 03:53 AM
Hi, Nancy! I've just been reading your blog for a few weeks. But I was wondering if you have any good suggestion for Christian music, sites, movies, and books (besides yours!). So Far my favorite series is Lily! Sometimes I find it hard with all the other not-so great-things out there to find GOOD CHRISTIAN things. Thanks!
Posted by: Morgan | July 01, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Happy birthday Katie!
Posted by: Mikayla | July 01, 2009 at 12:56 PM
umm...can i give u some Morgan? www.girlz4godrok.blogspot.com, www.sistersnthesavior.blogspot.com, www.clubchea.blogspot.com, www.susiemag.com, www.faithgirlz.com...need more?
Posted by: Anna | July 01, 2009 at 03:41 PM
those were sites...movies:
Come What May
The Ultimate Gift
Fireproof
Facing the Giants
Flywheel
Saving Sarah Cain
Ace of Hearts
The Love Come Softly Series
Something to Sing About
The Climb (no this isnt the Hannah Montana Movie)
The Ride
Books:
The Love Comes Softly Series (they're books and movies)
Christy Miller Series
Sierra Jensen Series
And of coure all of Mrs. Nancy's books! :) (i especially like the Lucy Novels)
Posted by: Anna | July 01, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Hey Morgan,
A really good series, that must of us love -- The Christy Miller Serues, and when you've read that, the Sierra Jensen series, and when you've read that, Christy and Todd, The College Years, and when you've read That series, the Katie Welden series. They are by Robin Jones Gunn, and are soo awesome!
Luv,Emii
Posted by: Emii | July 01, 2009 at 06:34 PM
Omigosh are we allowed to chat on this blog now? That's awesome:D
Posted by: Paige | July 01, 2009 at 08:26 PM
We are?
Posted by: Caitlin | July 01, 2009 at 09:03 PM
Morgan -
I have a site called http://girlzandgod.webs.com/ ...And like all the things that Anna listed I was going to list, too, but she got them before me!! LOL!
Posted by: Erika | July 01, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Thank you all for your suggestions! I Can't wait to explore the movies, sites, and books! Thanks again!
Posted by: Morgan | July 01, 2009 at 11:49 PM