Standing in the familiar cul-de-sack, I glanced up at my childhood home. The front porch light lit up the dusk air; soon I would be called in for the night. I wiggled the cool, soft grass in between my toes. The setting sun hung still in the horizon. Its warmth brought me comfort, and my gaze begged it to stay.
I was a simple, shy girl, who craved acceptance and recognition. Many times I was left out of the inner circle of neighboring friendships. Girls can often be catty and downright mean. I grew tired of being the third wheel and I found myself retreating more often than engaging. Why would I want to feel the sting of rejection, once again? When would I be brave and confident?
There was a particular girl that I especially wanted a friendship with. She had long, corn silk blonde hair. She was confident and beautiful. Nothing intimidated her and she owned the neighborhood.
She called me over into the center of the cul-de-sack. I instantly perked up and joined her presence. The place where the grass lay bare and the dirt mound was high. Hey, let’s play a game. First of all, she said, we needed to stand back to back. I could see the neighborhood crush peering out his window at us from across the street. I thought that was a bit strange, but I shrugged it off.
And then… in one sweeping second, I found my shorts at my ankles and the echos of laughter emerged. I had been depants. This is how the dictionary defines it:
to remove the trousers from, as a joke or punishment.
I was the brunt of the joke, and the prank was on me. Again. Pools of water gathered in my eyes and my cheeks grew flush. I ran home ashamed and lonely. When would I have friends? When would I, be brave?
Faith is thoughtful and artistic.
Glory is appreciative of beauty, inside and out.
Gracie is shy but sweet, and oh-so talented!
Hope is a girl who plays hard, and loves everyone.
Honor is smart and caring.
- God loves me even when I mess up
- God has a plan for me
- He’ll help me do hard things
- My faith is important to me
- I can share my faith
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I’m not sure if my comment went through our not. i was thinking about this question and before i saw the memory verses…the verse that popped into my head was 2 Tim. 1:7- “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” We are to teach our daughters that they don’t need to be afraid and are able to be brave because God is on their side. God is ALWAYS with them (if they know him as their Savior)…we need to teach our children (not only daughters) about God’s love and grace!
So important in the world to be brave and have hope from God. The world will tear you apart otherwise. I love this and hope my children will be more brave then I was.
I’d sure love to win a copy of this book for my granddaughter. It’s especially important in our culture for Christian girls to be brave and confident.
I would love to win a book. I pray every night with my daughter that God may protect her heart. There is so much in this world to resist. There are so many pressures. I want my daughter to be armored with God’s love and be brave to fight that spiritual battle. I am so new on my journey of faith and am trying desperately to support and nurture my daughter’s love and trust in God and am so grateful we have faithfully attended a great church and she so much accepts God.
With all the peer pressure and media portraying a certain image for girls..I think these books are perfect to teach young girls that there is love and strength and beauty in their faith!! Contact me at lpn4s@Aol.com
I love this. And I have wonderful memories of you when we were younger. You were one of the few friends that I felt accepted around! The world we live in is filled with horrendous things. Our daughters and loved ones are going to need to be brave in order to stand up for their convictions. I pray every day that this would be true and that when push comes to shove, they will not waiver in what they believe and know is right. That the fear of rejection and desire to please others will not outweigh their desire to please God. This looks like a fantastic book!
Would love to win the book for Faith. Taking the quiz she came out equal parts A (Gracie) and B (Glory). I think it’s important for girls be brave because it’s too easy not to be. It’s easier to “follow the crowd/do the thing of least resistance” but that isn’t the best choice. (Last contest you had my comment didn’t go through using google account hence my anonymous route this time 🙂 )
I just love this whole idea for a series and a study for young girls. We need to raise young ladies to be strong in their faith and their identity in the Lord. This firm foundation will remind them who He is and who they are in Him. Love it!! ~Christy B
I would love for my daughter to learn to be brave enough to stand up for what is right and to not fear being different from those around her. She is just becoming an avid reader and this is the first devotional book I have seen that looks like it would really be something she would enjoy! Thanks!
Heidi Johns: joybell81@hotmail.com
Looks like a great series! I have several nieces in our family that I’d love to get something like this for.
I think young girls need to be brave to learn to be who God intended them to be, instead of who the world tries to convince them to be.