Bikini Wars

Bikini Wars
by Suzie M.

I have always been modest in my clothing but I really had not thought about it for my daughter.  Come on, she is only a baby right?  This is the time to begin dressing your daughter modestly.  Why you say?  You have to think down the road.  Let’s take swim suits for example.  I go to the waterpark many times during the summer.  I can’t tell you how it pains me to see baby girls, toddlers, little girls, tweens and teens in these itty bitty bikinis.  The early years are the formative years.  You must begin early, training your daughters to be modest. The bible tells us in 1 Timothy 2:9 - "And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes." (NLT)

When you choose to disciple your children you don’t pick and choose topics out of the bible you think are important.  We are to obey all God’s commandments and we are to live in this world not of this world. 

I regularly see moms posting pictures on Facebook of their little girls and their friends in bikinis and I just want to take these moms aside and love on them and tell them the things I learned as a young mom. 

I know toddlers and babies look cute in their little swim suits and people think it’s so innocent but when do you stop?  Before you know it your cute toddler is now a little girl and if they have always been allowed to wear a bikini then why all of a sudden can’t they wear one?  All their friends are wearing bikinis.  Do you really want your little girl who is becoming a young woman to wear a bikini where boys and men alike are checking her out?  Next thing you know your daughter is a teenager and hanging out with her friends by the pool or at the waterpark and walking around innocently but her scantily clad self are driving the boys crazy.

It’s not just bikinis, we have a “Halleluiagh test” in our home, if you raise your arms up and your tummy shows you can’t wear that shirt.  Also think about what your rules will be on spaghetti straps and backless tops and dresses.  Shorts that are too short and shorts with writing across the backside.  Why would you want to draw attention to your child in that way?  The world sells s*x, advertisements, TV., magazines, everywhere the world is pushing s*xy and body image.  What healthy body image are you promoting in yourself to model for your daughters?

1 Peter 3:3-4 - "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (NIV)

I firmly believe we are raising up a generation of children who will need to be stronger in their faith and walk with the Lord than ever before.  This is not an area to brush off.   Our children need to know the why behind our decisions.  Give God the glory and dress to impress God not the world.

1 Peter 2:12 - "Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world." (NLT)