Today’s puzzle, dilemma, thought-provoking happening, problem-solving exercise, reason to be listening to God.

How do you explain to a  13 year old girl why it’s important to be modest?

Up until now the following reasons were sufficient:

“The Bible says we should be modest.”

That’s a perfectly good reason, and it temporarily silences the questioning. But it does not erase those lurking question marks in the back of her mind. “But – why?”

“Mom and Dad want you to be modest.”

See above, but with less authority, and even less power to erase the question marks.

“It’s not nice to show too much of our bodies.”

“But…why not?”  “There’s something she’s not telling me.”

“OK! Because boys like to look at girls’ bodies, and the more uncovered skin there is to look at, the better they like it.”

AHA! Now she knows you’re telling her the whole story. Those youngsters know when the truth is being spoken.

And the worms come squirming out of the opened can.

“Oh, that’s so gross! What is WRONG with them?”

“WHY?”

“Does (enter name of little brother) do that?”

“Does (enter name of older brother) do that?”

Enter self-consciousness.

Enter suspicion of all males.

Enter the unacknowledged tinge of excitement at the thought of being attractive to boys…sexual awareness…the need for further discussion of intimate issues…endless questions.

Babble that God made guys that way, and it’s really a good thing, but really a bad thing… “it’s complicated, honey…”

“It’s OK when you’re married? EW! I’m NEVER getting married!”

Grab the worms and stuff them back in the can! Where’s the lid? Hot glue and duct tape! Bury it in the back yard!

There is no turning back. On we go.

Read Proverbs 2…seek wisdom with that kind of intensity. He says He’ll come through for you.

Then keep on babbling. Keep listening. Keep answering…remembering…thinking…praying…

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