A Letter to Teenage Girls

Dear teenage girl,

I want to tell you something that is so important for you to believe. You are beautiful, and you have a divine purpose.

Before I say anything else, I just want to tell you that I am sorry. I am sorry for the pressure that our society places on you to be perfect. I am sorry for the horrendous stereotypes our world often labels you with.  I am sorry that you seem to be the butt of many jokes, and that it feels like no one will take you seriously. I am sorry our world tells you that in order to be beautiful, you must be a size zero, blonde, covered in makeup and dumb as a bat. But I just want to tell you that none of it is true.

It seems that every teenage girl created in Hollywood follows the same diagram: Insecure, dramatic, awkward, and desperate. They are created to fit the mold of something, either popular or an outcast. The truth is… it is a lie. You do not have to be any of those things. JUST BE YOU.

I wish puberty and adolescence did not have to be such an emotional roller coaster. I wish that other middle school and high school students were not so judgmental, and that we lived in a world without bullies. I wish that society did not create false images for you to live up to. I wish I could tell you that I could make it all go away… but we live in a fallen world, and I can’t change that. But I CAN tell you what I have learned:

1. You are beautiful. I do not care what size you wear, the color of your hair, the type of clothes you can afford, or what the numbers on the scale say. You radiate beauty. You were made in the image of Christ, and THAT is BEAUTIFUL!

2. Perfection does not exist. You are surrounded with the pressure to be perfect, whether it is your appearance, academics, sports, etc. Well… perfection does not exist. Be the best that you can be, and that is enough. You are going to mess up. You are going to fail at things. Get up, and try again.

3. Playing dumb is not cute. Never dumb yourself down to get attention from boys. It is not cute, and it is not worth it. If that is the only way to get his attention, he is not for you. 

4. Say sorry. You will make mistakes. You will say things you regret. Be the first to apologize and don’t hold grudges. You deserve second chances, and so do they. 

5. Everyone is not doing it. The desire and pressure to have sexual relationships is outrageous. Despite what your friends say or mass media tells you, not EVERYONE is doing it. And if they are, who cares! Be different. God designed sex for marriage. Save yourself. 

6. Be pursued. For some reason, high school gives us the idea we must throw ourselves at guys. Why? It is not always the best time to have serious relationships, but allow yourself to be pursued. You deserve to be chosen, admired, and RESPECTED. Good guys are out there.

7. Stand up, be brave. Have a good idea? Share it! See someone hurting? Be a friend! Stand strong for what you believe, and stand up for those who can’t. Make a difference. 

8. Don’t get revenge. People are going to offended you. Your feelings will be hurt. Stand up for yourself, but do not repay evil with evil.  Show nothing but kindness! If it is a bigger issue, tell someone. 

9. Your parents and teachers are not your enemies. Parents and teachers are in your life for a reason. They are not your enemies! They are not your best friends either. They LOVE you. Share with them. Listen to them. Respect them. Regardless of what you may think, they have been where you are. They aren’t perfect… but let them help, they want to. 

10. You are loved, and you are called. God created you for a huge purpose. He thinks you are awesome.  He loves you in a way no one else can or ever will. Accept it. He made you so that you could bring Him glory. He has a special calling that only you can fulfill. Give him everything. You are never too young. You are never too weak. Be used. This is why you were created. 

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 You only have a certain number of days on this earth, but the way you choose to live TODAY could impact eternity.

  I want you to always remember: You are good enough, you are worthy, you are special… Go be great!

Molly.