Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Raggedy Ann in a Barbie Doll World

This past Saturday I spoke at Foothills Baptist here in Las Vegas. My topic was “Raggedy Ann in a Barbie Doll World.” It is a fun but truthful look at the reality of the pressures women face on a day-to-day basis. I watched the heads bob up and down in agreement—we can’t win. We are either too fat, too flat-chested, too poor, too tired, etc. Our culture preaches lose weight, work out, and get a face-lift. We scurry like hamsters on a wheel trying to keep up with what the magazines at the check-out counter dictate.

Although we feel this is a current trend—it is not. I used the illustration from Genesis 29 on Leah and Rachel. Scripture says, “Leah’s eyes were weak and dull looking, but Rachel was beautiful and attractive.” (Genesis 29:17 AMP) The story continues with, “When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, "It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.” (Genesis 29:31-32 NIV)

Sounds like 2009 to me. One girl not quite as attractive as her sister—bam—low self-esteem. Raggedy Ann as wife to “Ken” living with his other wife Barbie.
Haven’t we all suffered from low self-esteem, self-doubt, and derisive opinion about ourselves from others? Thankfully, God reveals the truth about beauty.
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30 NIV)

God eventually levels the playing ground. No matter how hard we fight it, age will and does catch up with us. I think about a well-known movie star whose good looks have vanished. When interviewed she is sharp-tongued and bitter. (Clue—she played Cleopatra). She carries no likeability in her prickly personality. She’s a miserable old “Barbie.”

Tomorrow I will continue the Raggedy Ann in a Barbie Doll World discussion. Feel free to chime in.

Who do you want to be? I choose to be Raggedy Ann.

4 comments:

Sherrie said...

I love both this and your Proverbs 31 Devotional today Susanne. Thank you my Godly Girlfriend, for reminding me as I question myself about my value as a woman and a mother that I am not alone. You made me smile :-)

Margaret said...

DITTO! God has made my outside to be what he wants me to be. I pray He'll "never stop working with me(on the inside) until He makes me into all He wants me to be." Those are some lyrics (sort of) to a song from long ago. God, keep working--have Your way with me.

Anonymous said...

Ditto again, I'm so thankful I found your blog, I could certainly use it today. And thank you for today's Proverbs 31 article, I don't pray NEARLY enough for my kids. I'll be checking into some of the resources. God bless!

Micca said...

Love your post and your photo!!

Barbie got nothing on this Raggedy Ann!!

love you, lots!