This particular memory held me somewhere around the age of 7. I trailed along with Dad to the middle school basketball game, and in good 7 year-old fashion, I found romping up and down the bleachers with the other kids to be far more entertaining than the actual game. With every leap of a bench the little boys mimicked the "big kid"players, shooting imaginary hoops; but my fellow little girl bleacher hopper aspired to something else. Dreamily she gazed at the cheerleaders, and in perfect rote fashion said "I want to be a cheerleader when I grow up." Not wanting to miss something that was apparently amazing, I asked "What do you have to do to be a cheerleader?"
"You have to be happy, and pretty, and you can NEVER have scraps or bruises on your legs."
Much has changed since that moment of 7, but this 30 year-old self looked down at my knees and they looked much like they did then. A huge scrape on one knee, and a thigh length bruise on the other. The latter bruises were from tree climbing and monkey bar jumping, the more recent set of cheerleader blocking scars were bike commuting accidents. Apparently when a bike rider and cab-door-departing-passenger meet, they introduce your knees to the concrete. Who knew?
As my playmate missed the point of cheerleading, she found an interesting cadre of qualities to define what it means to be a cheerleader, or more broadly, a girl. Well, this girl doesn't always have bruises, is occasionally pretty, and usually happy. Does that mean I get to be a cheerleader some of the time?
In a world when others try to define you, media tries to consume you, and the recent definition of "sexy" tries to costume you; you can go a little wild trying on all these different scenarios. But this girl is tired of staying in the dressing room, debating over which "look" to put on for the day. As I joined women from the faith world to discuss ways we can empower girls, strengthen women, and embolden our ministries, something else sparked in my mind. It wasn't a memory, but rather a common phrase in our culture: "Girls Gone Wild." I sat at a table with brilliant and bold women, dreaming big dreams far beyond themselves or ministries, but a dream that encompassed every girl, woman, boy and man. I sat at a table with women who were wild enough to dream of relationships, work, and worth beyond the "second sex," "you throw like a girl," and "woman's work." They dreamed of women being valued for their honest work; for the spark of God that dances within them. They dreamed of girls not being afraid to speak their voice, dream their dreams, and reach their goals. We were women wild with inspiration, stirred by the Holy Spirit, and her twirling skirts of beauty and power.
I say Girl, go Wild as You!
Girl, go wild!
In a time when worth
is low morals,
and short skirts,
dream bigger dreams,
and broader visions.
Girl, go wild
with your intellect,
your energy,
your power,
and show them you're value reaches beyond
beads,
breasts,
and boys.
Girl, go wild
being more than a body,
more than commodity,
more than a hottie.
Go wild in love with
the person you are.
You are more than a beautiful jewel to be dazzled.
You are more than a mother stressed and frazzled.
Girl, go wild
on this world just waiting to see you
claim your
voice,
brain,
beauty,
value,
holiness of you.
Girl, go wild
in righteous anger,
gentle strength,
and set this world spinning
in the beauty of your kaleidoscopic splendor.
When we support a girl, we change the world. Check out The Girl Effect for more information, or hang out with a wise girl & playful woman. Because there is not one type of girl or woman, nor one way for her to be smart and beautiful, I chose a bread that mimics the kaleidoscope that is each one of us. Making marble rye bread requires similar ingredients, with slight variations; kneading, praying, and a beautiful twist of each dough to create the whole loaf. Each roll is unique, each slice is delicious. Each girl is a gift, and each woman is a blessing. I empower you to love women beyond mother's day, and support the world. Support a girl.
Now that's a cheer I can get behind!
