Meet the Bold Girls of the Bible
How
many children mentioned in the Bible can you name? A few boys immediately come
to mind, such as the young David, Samuel, and Daniel, but what about girls? No,
I do not mean women. The illustrious list of much-studied women of the Old
Testament, such as Sarah, Deborah, and Esther, have been immortalized in
fictionalized accounts of their lives enjoyed by adult readers. The beloved
Mary of Nazareth, Mary Magdalene, and the sisters Mary and Martha are often
visited in Bible studies.
Did
you know that the stories of a number of young women are hidden in the pages of
the Bible? In most cases, the girls are unnamed. The actual ages, for all but
one, can only be judged from their activities, and most receive only the
slightest mention tucked within more momentous events. These girls are just
waiting to be discovered and teach important lessons of inspiration and
empowerment for young readers today.
I
have a deep concern for the healthy development of youth today. Both boys and
girls are bombarded with an overwhelming number of unhealthy messages in
advertising, movies, and social networking. I am particularly alarmed at the
pressures faced by young women and the lack of good resources to help them. The
choice from among secular books includes fiction about vampire boyfriends and a
barrage of sexually explicit and violent novels. Even Christian literature
reinforces passivity and enhancing physical attractiveness. Christian girls
need to be aware of their power to effect change and develop leadership skills.
My
short stories offer girls biblical examples of problem-solving girls. The
characters have been uprooted in foreign cultures or they are challenged to
adapt and survive using non-traditional skills. They serve as examples to
modern young women, but at the same time take the readers to biblical times and
places.
