One of the most frustrating things for me as a leader of girls is the sense of entitlement. Girls in fifth grade with iPhones (seriously, now, why does a 5th grader need an iPhone) for example. And I know from talking with girls' leaders everywhere that I am not alone in my frustration. Yes, girls need to understand that they are valuable because they are the daughter of the King of Kings. But somewhere along the way, we as adults have cultivated in this generation the sense that being royalty means being pampered.I'm excited to announce that we are working on a resource to tackle this issue: Real Princess: Being a Servant in an All-About-Me World. It's written by Erin Davis, as seasoned writer who passionately loves Jesus and teen girls. Here's just a short sample of what the book will talk about:
The tables are set with white linen and fine china. Seated at each table are groups of girls whispering excitedly as they nibble tiny sandwiches and yummy desserts. Some girls are sipping hot tea from fine china teacups. Everyone in the room is wearing a tiara. Adults circle the room giving out kind words of affirmation. One message is repeated over and over throughout the evening: “You are a princess.”
The scene I’m describing wasn’t ripped from the pages of a high society magazine. This isn’t a royal banquet taking place inside a castle (although it was designed to feel like it). In fact, this scene can be found most often in church youth rooms and fellowship halls. The girls made to feel like princesses are you.
In case you haven’t noticed, there’s been a movement afoot to convince young women like you that you’re all princesses. Pure princess retreats and daughter of the king banquets are planned at churches just like yours in an attempt to show you your value by pointing out that you are the daughter of the King.
But where exactly does this idea that we are princesses come from? What exactly does it mean to be a daughter of the king? ...
I’d like you to begin to shift your focus from seeing yourself as a princess to seeing yourself as the daughter of the king. That may seem like a silly distinction, but trust me, there’s a huge difference between acting like a princess and being the daughter of a king (especially the King of Kings)...
Hollywood may lead us to believe that princesses can do whatever they’d like. But this simply isn’t the case. Being a princess comes with responsibility. You aren’t just called to act like princesses. You are called to honor the king.
Ready to read more? You'll have to wait until Summer 2010!
Fabulous - can't wait to see it! That's our goal too and we need more resources to emphasize the difference bewtween acting like a princess and being a DOK!