Dear Princess

Several weeks ago I finished up a great girls’ devotional, Dear Princess, written by a Mennonite woman. It really is an excellent book to help girls develop a beautiful, godly character. I’ve gleaned so much from this book, as I have read it for part of my devotions every morning and have tried to apply it to my life. I would certainly recommend it for young ladies!

I would like to point out a few things, however, that could become a problem. Being a Mennonite, Mary M. Landis believes in head-coverings. Some Christians have discovered this erroneous “doctrine” and put it into practice in their own lives. I wasn’t going to write about this, but since the subject has recently come up in our church, I thought I’d go ahead anyway. It seems to me that Christians love to quibble about things that really don’t matter. I’d like to talk about some things I’ve taken note of.

First off, some people say head-coverings are Biblical. Okay, Bible women are often portrayed in pictures with long mantle-like cloths over their heads. This was required according to Jewish Law. Note that this was Jewish Law--not Biblical Law; there is a very clear difference between the two, and they should not be confused (Titus 1:14). These Jewish mantles totally covered the head so that only the face was visible. Folks who believe in head-covering usually cover their heads with a little piece of cloth, really only covering their hair, which God says is the woman’s “glory” (1 Corinthians 11:15). If we are going to do this right (according to Jewish Law), then we really should be wearing more than a little head cloth. What is considered a typical head-covering today is neither Biblical, nor is it correct according to Jewish Law.

For some reason, Christians believe a head-covering is only needed in church. This is another thing I don’t understand. Head-coverings are supposedly supposed to show the woman’s submission to her husband and God. Is the woman only commanded to be in submission to her authority during the span of a church service? What about the rest of the week? If the head-covering is a true indicator of the woman’s submission, then a Christian woman ought NEVER, EVER to take it off! That means she must wear it even while washing her hair and when sleeping! Why would God have commanded a woman to wear something symbolizing something so very essential when she would have to remove it for daily living?

To be honest with you, I’m really not sure where Christians pull the head-covering idea out of the Bible. At times you would think Christians simply enjoy being contentious. Paul could not have been more clear in 1 Corinthians 11:15 if he had spelled out the words “NO head-covering needed.” “But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.” How can it be any more plain?

While some Christians make a big deal about head-coverings, other things truly important to the Christian life are sadly neglected. While some folks insist on straining over a gnat, the elephant-sized issues are totally ignored--things like daily quiet time (both personal devotions and family devotions), faithful church attendance, the wise spending of God’s money, tithing, soul-winning, getting our children saved, disciplining them…the list goes on and on. Let’s not major on the minor and minor on the major. I personally think people focus on the insignificant things, like head-coverings, so they can side step these things--that which really matters to God. If we are going to be holy, let’s really do it, and not just pretend. That’s what the Pharisees did, and Jesus sharply rebuked them for it.

People believe head-coverings symbolize submission. Let’s ask ourselves a few questions: Are we truly in submission to God? Do we really understand what submission is? Do our children understand what submission is? A child can’t understand a head-covering; after all, it’s just a piece of cloth. What a child does understand is how her mom responds to dad’s “commands” or requests. She understands the spirit of submission when mother happily complies without shouting and a big fuss. Mothers would be wise to invest the time it takes to put a head-covering on into making sure their little girls really understand what submission is by seeing it in action. Daddy is submissive to God. Mommy is submissive to daddy. Little girls are supposed to be submissive to mommy and daddy as they are submissive to God. Any woman can put a head-covering on, but not every woman wisely takes the time to teach her little girl to be submissive to her daddy so she will one day be submissive to her husband. Let’s major on that which is major!

Several years ago my family and I were visiting a church in the States during furlough, trying to raise more support. To our great discomfort, the church also had a country gospel group in. We were seated in the front row, right in front of these folks as they sang words (I’m sure they were good words, although I couldn’t hear them above the din of the “good, Christian” music accompanying them) to the wretched beat of the world’s music. To be frank, it was disgusting. After each song, the congregation clapped wildly. (I thought a special was sung for God’s glory--not for the glory of those “performing”? I’ll spare you the music spiel.) The one girl singing in the group was wearing a nice dress; I would have found it impossible to believe her music could be so…so godless. What I found almost humorous about this whole picture was that the girl wore a head-covering. Was the music she sang and her performance “on stage” showing her submission to God? No, on the contrary, for the music was anti-God, though the words were an attempt to please Him. This is a perfect example of how a woman can wear a head-covering and not be right with God according to His standards.

Another thing I want to point out about Dear Princess is that the Mennonites believe that any lace or ribbons (adornment) on a dress or even curling one’s hair is sinful. They get this from 1 Peter 3:3--“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel…” The next verse continues, “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” Paul is stressing the importance of the attitude, not the appearance. He isn’t saying we should not look nice (use jewelry, wear clothing with lace and ribbons, braid our hair, etc.). While many Christians could use some help in the modesty department, the Mennonites believe in simple dress. I do respect this, though this verse should not be taken out of context. If we took 1 Peter 3:3 literally we wouldn’t be able to wear clothing, because Paul writes, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning…of putting on of apparel.” Obviously we are supposed to be clothed! In regard to jewelry, etc., Philippians 4:5 is recommended--“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” As Christ’s representatives, we are obligated to look clean and be well-dressed. Our clothing should be modest in every way. Make-up and jewelry are great--in moderation. We need to keep this before us.

Well, that’s all I have to say. Dear Princess is a wonderful book. Despite these issues, which are only brought up in one chapter (I believe), this devotional has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. Thank you, Mrs. Landis! =)