How Quickly Self-Esteem Raises Its Ugly Head!

This morning, my three-year old startled me with this very simple question. She asked as she selected her Disney Princess tennis shoes, "Mama, will Bubba (my nephew) like me with these shoes on?" I thought, ok, how much more can I do to help them feel confident? Am I missing something?

I grew up the middle daughter of two loving parents in a Christian environment. I have two sisters and we were always treated equally. Well, you might say by the time the younger sister came up the rules were much more relaxed, but we never felt one child was more loved than the other. We were all loved very much; however, I cannot say it was an environment that fostered a positive self-image. We were not abused or oppressed, but we were not given large doses of positive feedback. Mostly, I believe this was because our parents struggled with their own self-images. So, now that I am a mother of two girls, I have made a special effort to tell my kids daily, sometimes multiple times a day, how pretty they are, or how smart they are, or even what a great job they are doing when given a task. They both participate in gymnastics and ballet. I want them to have every good thing available to them and not allow insecurity to hold them back as I have in my own life. I did not pursue things I was quite capable of doing merely because I didn't think I was good enough or smart enough.

I have determined they should find their confidence in our Lord, their Creator. David wrote in Psalms that we " are fearfully and wonderfully made." They have memorized this Scripture and it is my prayer that it finds a dwelling place deep in their hearts. A healthy balance is my desire for them--to see and be seen as He sees them.