sweat pants and pig tails

The other day my two year old daughter dressed herself. She picked gray sweatpants [because they had a yellow bow on them] a purple and white striped shirt, and she found two socks[not matching]but they served their purpose all the same.  She topped it off with picking out her shiny black shoes that although would crowd her colorfully colored feet, she wanted because she loves shiny lovely things. 

I braided her hair in two small braids and she was tickled with delight. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror with a huge smile and her eyes sparkling she questioned me, "pretty mama?" And of course I agreed with her-blue and pink socks and all. i was so proud that she showed independence and opinion in having a hand in her clothing and style. Different than what i would chosen, but that is what i want to encourage. different. special. unique.

We were headed to the mall to meet up with a friend and her kids and all was well. My littles were so excited to head to the play place with her kiddos- they get along really well, but i was taken a bit by surprise when my friend chuckled as we walked with our caravan of kids. "Oh my word! What is Norah wearing?" I just smiled and said, "she dressed all by herself and picked out her clothes." My friend's daughter then piped up too, '" yeah, norah. what are you wearing? it looks weird." 

i didn't like that. at all.

I calmly looked at this little girl and said, "she is beautiful. and you know what? its whats on the inside that matters anyways. it doesn't matter what clothes she wears, but what is in her heart. she looks fine."

I said it loud enough so hopefully her mom would hear as well.

My daughter is two. two. She should not be worrying about her clothing or even developing a complex yet about her appearance. so what if she was wearing sweatpants and mismatched socks. Does it really matter? Is that what counts? 

no wonder us as women have such a battle with appearance and beauty. 

I just wanted to use this as a teaching moment to myself and my daughter that beauty comes from the inside and out, from a heart that is filled with passion and love for others, a thirst for God, and the fruits of the Spirit. Those are what i believe are a true reflection of beauty. 

I want my daughter to take delight in her individuality. i want her to be confident in who Jesus made her, a bright, fiery little girl who is full of affection and wonder. I do not want her to care whether she isn't wearing the latest fashion or trends, whether her hair is done or undone; i do not want her to be alienated or picked on for being different from the pack. 

Jesus, please use me to encourage and uplift her in these areas, both now and as she grows into a young woman, that she would not be beautiful based on the world's definition of beauty, but that she would know her beauty in Christ.  You have made her physically stunning since the beginning, but i know it fades and it should not define her or be the focus.  You teach this to me as well. As a grown woman, i desire to be beautiful from the inside out, and though I may have to sport crooked thick glasses and greasy hair, I desire to be filled with joy and humility and set the outward aside and rejoice in any beauty You may give me. 

that is all for now. 
and sweet daughters of mine, you can pick out sweatpants any time you want..