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.