When I think about the women who really had an impact on my life, there’s not a Britney, Christina, or Jessica among them. (There wasn’t a Miley, Vanessa, or Leighton when I was growing up, but I’m sure they would be omitted as well.) Mostly, this is due to the fact that I had no want for female role models, though the names of my role models are much less recognizable. While I think every one of them is beautiful, they’re not Hollywood trend-setters.
My list includes my mom, who was there for every important decision ranging from accepting Christ to choosing a prom dress; Pastor Laurie, my children’s pastor who laid a solid foundation for my relationship with the Lord and let me squirt mustard in her armpits as a fundraiser; Tricia, who thought it was important enough to attend my eighth-grade musical that she drove eight hours through the night so she wouldn’t miss the East Middle School presentation of Bye Bye, Birdie; and Melissa, who showed me how cool it was to be a Christian woman.
It’s completely natural to look for role models – someone to watch as you’re learning what it means to be a Christian girl in the 21st century. It’s even biblical. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) Paul says, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”
No one is perfect. Pop princesses and pastors alike will disappoint eventually. There really is no perfect role model aside from Christ, but choose your role models wisely. Keep an eye out for someone who is living out what it means to be a woman of God on a daily basis.
Look for someone who is right there with you. Don’t get me wrong: someone who sees you several times a week might get annoying. She might even try to give you advice or tell you not to do something you really want to do, but she’ll also know you, care about you, pray for you, and be there when you need to talk to someone.
Miley Cyrus probably won’t be coming to your soccer game anytime soon and Paris Hilton probably won’t call to take you out for coffee, but there are probably godly women in your church who would be glad to take you out for coffee.
The best role models might not wear the latest trends or look like celebrities. The best role models have beauty from the “…inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:4, NIV).
If you have someone like that in your life, take time to tell her how much you appreciate her. If you don’t have anyone like that in your life yet, talk to your pastor or youth pastor and ask them to suggest a godly woman who might be willing to spend time with you.