Daddy's Girl

This past weekend I attended the "Revolve Tour" a Women of Faith gathering for young girls.   We brought seven young women to hear the many messages that building up self-esteem and images from God's point of view.    Although the theology of the event was a bit more conservative than mine, it was a good gathering for the girls to be exposed to and provided opportunities for many questions and dialogue.  Specifically, the male terms to describe God sets me off a bit.  But I believe that everyone is entitled to call God whatever God is to them and folks just need to call God often if not always.   I also believe that I cannot put God in a box.  God is God.   I call God many names, Mother, Creator, Spirit, Life, Father, etc, the many discriptors that enables me to believe in a loving and compassionate God. 

At this gathering they had a conversation about being "Daddy's Girl"   translated "God's the Father's girl"  A Rapper had a song entitled "Daddy's Girl."  T-shirts were sold with this theme.  Kinda cute.  The message was that if your physical father is a jerk, you have your spiritual father who will love you no matter what.  A spiritual father that will be there for you, even if your father walked out on you!  I have a now appreciation for the term "Daddy's Girl."   More illustrations like this were listed.   They also used the illustration of "treasures and targets."   Which one are you?  A treasure which is  unique and valuable and esteemed  or a target- what you do about yourself that make certain people take aim at you (poor choices, the choice of dress, friends, attitude goals, etc.) 

I wondered, "Where is the pastoral care for the girls that are struggling with the issue of fathers who abandon, abuse or just aren't there for their daughters?"   There wasn't a message, "If these messages cause you pain, anxiety, or tears, go to Section A to ask more questions and to be with someone who can help you through this?  So I was more aware that it was my role to check in with the young women I was with answer any questions they may have.   

This gathering had a rapper, rock star, and olympic gold medalist.   A Drama team that shared the everyday issues of listening, parents, peer pressure.   My greatest observation in this mass of 5,000-6,000 girls is that I did not see much skin or belly buttons.  As if the message was, "good Christian girls don't show off their bodies."    Now this is one message I could preach.   But not.... because for me it is about the messages that affect the inner soul and mind of the young women.

If you want to more about the messages and the music go to the revolve tour .