Mission Possible!

Claire Black: This is True Girl a podcast for girls and their moms. In this second season, we’re doing something different, we’re inviting dads to listen in too. Just what does the Bible say about the value of guys and girls? Let’s explore our God differences one drive at a time. Buckle up, you’re about to grow closer to each other and closer to Jesus. 

Dannah Gresh is going to help us to do that. She and her husband Bob coauthored a book called 8 Great Dates for Dads and Daughters. At the end of the podcast, they’ll invite you and your dad to do one of the easy father-daughter connection challenges from that book. 

You could also do this special activity with your grandfather, a big brother, or another father figure in your life. Again, for complete instructions, get a copy of 8 Great Dates for Dads and Daughters. 

Let’s get moving for season 2, episode 1, titled “Mission Possible.” Here’s Dannah.

Dannah Gresh: Well, hey there true girl, long time no see. 

Staci Rudolph: I think she means, long time no talk. Cause we can’t actually see you.

Dannah: That’s true.

Staci: Hey, I’m Staci Rudolph, lead teacher here at True Girl, and whether it’s your first time joining us, or you’re a seasoned true girl, we want to say welcome. We’re glad you’re here.

Dannah: And if you missed our last season, you should go back and check it out, because we had some great mom and daughter time exploring what God says about beauty. 

Staci: True beauty.

Dannah: Right. 

Staci: Now, not the kind that you buy online or see in pictures that aren’t truthful, because they are so filtered to the max, right?

Dannah: That’s right. We were on mission to reveal the lies this world tells us about how we look and feel.

Staci: Did you just say mission?

Dannah: Yeah, why?

Staci: Because I’m calling this episode of the True Girl podcast, “Mission Possible.”

We’ll go where no girl has ever gone before, into the minds of the men. As in boys, guys, the opposite sex. Your mission should you accept it, is to explore the God-given differences of males and females . . . and to appreciate them.

This podcast will self-destruct in 5.4.3.2 . . . watch out for the smoke!

Guys . . . the opposite sex . . . Your mission should you accept it is to explore the God given differences of males and females, and to appreciate them.

This podcast will self-destruct in 5.4.3.2 . . . watch out for the smoke!

Dannah: Wow!

Staci: Too much?

Dannah: No, I loved it. 

Staci: Okay, good. 

Dannah: Well, let’s start this season with a big disclaimer . . . drum roll please. Men and women are different. 

Staci: You’re just now figuring that out? 

Dannah: Well, of course not, but it can be confusing from some people, Staci. 

Staci: Yes, that is exactly why this mission is so important. 

Dannah: We want to help you with any confusion you might have or help you to avoid it all together. You see, when I wrote Lies Girls Believe, I asked more than 1,500 church-going girls aged seven–twelve, “How you feel about being a girl?”

Staci: And what did they say?

Dannah: Well 48 percent said, “It’s great to be a girl.”

Staci: True fact, I love that God made me a girl.

Dannah: But 46 percent chose, “Sometimes it’s hard, but I usually like being a girl.”

Staci: You know, there’s something really normal about that. It’s totally common to feel great about anything at times, and then sometimes you struggle with it. Life is full of challenges, and we have to learn to lean into God’s truth when we face them. And that includes understanding the difference between males and females. 

Dannah: Yeah, I’m glad you brought that up, because here’s something I really want you to see. When I asked these girls, “How do you feel about being a girl?” There was a very small percentage, but I think this is a growing opinion in popular culture. Four percent of the girls we surveyed said, “I don’t think there’s any difference between boys and girls.”

Staci: Well, that’s not true at all, but I can kind of see how they feel that way, because sometimes the world’s messages make people think that. The truth is though that there are a lot of differences between boys and girls. 

Dannah: You bet there are. You know what Staci? One of the strangest differences I ever heard about the boys and girls is our arms are actually shaped differently. When a man and a woman stand next to each other and they put their arms down by their sides, there’s this gentle little curve in a woman’s arm that’s different from a guy’s arm. Go ahead check it out, like with your dad the next time you see him, or your brother. You’re looking at me like I’m crazy, but it’s true. 

Mary Kassian told me this, and she’s like one of the leading theologians on the differences between men and women. She said that that’s because we were created so that our arms more naturally can hold a baby, hour after hour, if that’s what we need to do. Isn’t that cool?

Staci: That’s really cool. 

Dannah: That’s a really minute way, but can you think of some other differences between boys and girls?

Staci: Well, my mom always says that girls can multitask better. She’s like doing the dishes, telling us to do homework, all of that kind of stuff.

Dannah: Yeah. 

Staci: At once. 

Dannah: It’s true. Apparently, their skin layer is different, the skin is different. That’s why sometimes girls get cold more often than guys do.

Staci: I’m cold all of the time, so that makes sense. 

Dannah: You are. So, there you go. Alright, so now that we have that settled, let me share one last result from our survey, okay? I think this is important, and it makes me really sad. But when we asked these girls, “How do you feel about being a girl?” 1 percent of them said, “I don’t like being a girl.”

Staci: Aw, that really breaks my heart. I gotta say though, I do understand. I feel like when I was younger it just seemed complicated to be a girl. Like, I was worried about how I looked, how I dressed. I would look at the boys and they were just hanging out, playing, and having a good time. I’m like, why is it so complicated to be a girl? 

So, I understand that feeling. 

Dannah: And so, you just felt that the boys were less competitive in some ways?

Staci: Yeah, and they would just chill and be care free. 

Dannah: I mean, they might have been competitive on the soccer field, but they weren’t competitive in how they looked. 

Staci: Exactly. 

Dannah: Yeah. So how’d you overcome that, Staci?

Staci: I just had to learn that God created me exactly the way He wanted me to be, and that He had a plan for my life. And that He did not make a mistake when He decided to make me a girl.

Dannah: Yeah, I hope that there’s somebody listening right now that figures that out during this podcast. It’s so true we need to know that God did not make a mistake when He chose for us to be girls. And that’s what we are going to talk about today.

Before we dive too far into this season’s topic, which is going help us understand our value as girls, we’re going to understand the value of boys. Now, there will be no boys vs. girls on this podcast I should say, because we think we work better together, especially when we understand how God designed us.

Now, we are going to talk about dads, brothers, and other boys, but understanding them begins with understanding ourselves. We have to know what it means to be a girl. 

Staci: Okay, so let me hit you guys with today’s power verse. It’s Genesis chapter 1, verse 27. It says, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Dannah: So, this verse says God made us in His image.

Staci: In His image . . . now what’s that mean? What’s that really mean?

Dannah: Well, I think I can help you with that. Let’s make a quick mental stop at my farm, can we do that?

Staci: I guess.

Dannah: Let’s see if we can find Napoleon.

Staci: Your peacock?

Dannah: Yeah, let’s see . . . well, there he is. Sunning himself on the white pasture fence. He loves it there. Okay, so Napoleon does something no one else, no other animal on this farm does. Every morning I hear his big old thirteen-pound body thump down on the back deck. Then he peers into the kitchen window, and he waits for me to give him peanuts. 

He loves his peanuts. So I open the door say, “Hello Napoleon,” and I drop peanuts into his metal bowl. And every morning I sit there, and I just watch him eat. After ten years of having peacocks, I have not grown tired of the magnificence of these birds. The colors are breathtaking, and the design, those tail feathers, they are an absolute miracle. 

Did you know that each year, a peacock’s tail falls out?

Staci: I did not know that. 

Dannah: Yeah, and it starts to grow a new one. Now, mathematicians have studied the probability of every single one of those tails budding and then growing just perfectly so the colors form that eye shape at the end. They’ve decided that it’s actually nearly impossible, mathematically. But it happens year after year, tail after tail, feather after feather. I sit there as I watch Napoleon eating and I just thank God for this beautiful miracle of a bird. 

And Napoleon at some point turns his head sideways so he can get a good look at a peanut. Then he pecks at it, lifts his head, and swallows just like his dad. And that is what Napoleon does, that no other critter on the farm does, he reminds me of his dad. 

Staci: Because he looks and acts like him?

Dannah: Yup, exactly. Napoleon has some habits that are different from his father. By the way, we called his father Alexander the Gresh.

But the way Napoleon flies up into a tree each night, the way he calls every spring for a female peacock (we call them peahens), the way he fans his tail feathers for the chickens, because he never does find a peahen . . . There’s so much about him that’s like his father. Napoleon reminds me of Alexander.

Staci: Ah, I get it. He’s an image bearer. 

Dannah: Yes. 

Staci: Napoleon bears the image of his father. 

Dannah: Yes, exactly. In a way, that’s a little bit like you and me. True girl, you are an image bearer for God. I am an image bearer for God. There are things God does that we also do. Things that are unique to humans, like having emotions and loving each other, this makes us like Him. We are His likeness.

Okay, so with that understood, listen to the Bible verse again. Try to find the answer to this question, what specific thing does the Bible mention that makes us like God?

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Did you get the answer? What is the one thing mentioned in this verse that helps us to be in the image of God?

Staci: Being male and female. 

Dannah: That’s it, exactly. And today, we want to talk about this big part of your life. God not only planned for you to be a girl, but He did it so that you could be in His image. That’s why we want you to know that it’s great to be a girl. 

Staci: So even though a lot of people say this, “Boys and girls aren’t really that different.” We want you guys to know that is a lie. Here’s a super important truth, God created two genders—male and female. And they are very different.

Dannah: Yeah, and even though we are different, we’re both made in God’s likeness as our power verse says. That means you were created to make people remember and think about God. How cool is that? I mean really, how cool!

Staci: That is super cool. But Dannah, let me ask you this. How does being a girl or a boy, how does that help us do that? Why did God make two genders to do that? Couldn’t one just have worked?

Dannah: Well, I’m glad you asked, this is an important question, and we need to have an answer for it. You need to have an answer for it. So, I need to ask you to do something, because this isn’t a simple idea to understand, but you can totally handle it. I am going to ask you to do this, put on your super smart thinking cap, okay? So, like reach out into the air, pull it down onto your head and strap it on, right now. You got it? Is it there? 

Alright, here we go. God is three different persons, who are really one. We have God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Together they make up what’s called the Trinity. So, God is a social being. That means He’s not alone, but He enjoys community and friendship. 

Staci: And when He created us male and female, He gave us the ability to be that way too. 

Dannah: Precisely. And here’s how that works: two completely different people, a man and a woman, can be joined together by God through marriage into what the Bible calls “one.”

Staci: Yeah, I’ve read that. The Bible calls a man and woman who are married, one. Just like God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are one. But okay, does that mean that you have to get married to make people see and remember God?

Dannah: Oh no, of course not, but that’s a very important question. You don’t have to be married to be in God’s image. But this truth does mean that it’s important for each of us to help protect that picture. One man and one woman joined together by God, that’s what makes marriage.

But even as single adults or young girls, we’re made in God’s image. This is one of the important reasons that we really need to learn what the Bible says about being a girl or being a boy. 

Staci: Our gender is part of what makes us look like Him. We’re made in His image. 

Dannah: Yup. You got it. 

Staci: That’s amazing. And a lot of complicated thoughts to unpack, so if you’re like me, do not be afraid to ask questions about it after this podcast is over. Keep asking the right people—your mom, your dad, and reading the right book, the Bible. 

And you’re bound to understand just what God had in mind when He created two genders. It is mission possible. 

During this True Girl podcast season, we’re going to try to understand our own value as girls and women. And we’ll try to understand fathers, brothers, and boys, just a little bit better. And here’s the deal, we know we are not experts on being boys and everything so . . .

Dannah: We’re inviting your dad to join us for this season of True Girl. 

And if you don’t have a dad or father figure you can listen with, that’s okay. I think you’re still going to find this season of True Girl super helpful as you try to figure out what was God up to when He created men and women?

But if your dad is on board, I have something that might make him feel more at ease. Actually, someone that makes them feel more at ease. One of the world’s best dads, my husband Bob, is right here in the studio with me today. 

Staci: Hey Bob.

Bob Gresh: Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening. 

Staci: How’s it going?

Bob: It’s going great. I’m glad to be a part of it and sitting here listening. This is great fun. 

Staci: So, I’ve got to ask you something. Do you like being a dad?

Bob: I don’t like being a dad, I love being a dad! I’m the dad of a son and two daughters, and let me tell you, I’m really excited about this season of the True Girl podcast, because of what you’re going over. 

Staci: Well, we are so glad you’re here. 

Bob: Me too. I love what I’m hearing. You guys are pretty good. 

Staci: Well, thank you. 

Bob: Actually, you’re really, really good. This is good stuff. And hey, can I add a power verse, today too? Double power this podcast because you know, guys and girls working together. 

Dannah: Of course.

Staci: Ah, I see what you did there.

Bob: Here’s a verse I thought of when I was listening earlier. It’s one I like to read or hear when I get confused about anything in life, need some encouragement. A lot you know this verse, but it’s always worth hearing again. Let me read Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Staci: “For I know the plans I have for you.” That is so good to hear that. I love hearing that.

Bob: Hey, true girl, God has a plan for your life. Dannah and Staci just shared so beautifully that His plan for your life includes being a girl . . . or being a guy if you’re the dad listening.

Hey dad, let me say something to you, I just want to encourage you to spend time this season with your girls going through this, being present, being in the moment. Because no one knows how to instruct her about understanding boys like you. You’re the father figure in her life, and you understand boys because you are one.

Dannah: Yeah, that’s true. Bob, I just want to say that I watched you with our two girls really take time to invest in them and answer their questions about boys. It helped them to understand their own value of a girl. So, that’s what we’re asking from you for this season of the True Girl podcast.

Bob: Hey, I’m here to make this season extra fun for you guys. Each week I’m going to share a special father/daughter challenge for you to consider. And sometimes it will fit with your power verse for the week, but mostly I just want you to get together, do a little connecting, and have fun. 

This week I want you to do one of my favorite things ever . . . play a prank on someone.

Dannah: Ah, here we go. Are you kidding me?

Bob: You can do anything you want. And one of the neat things to do in the classics is the ding dong ditch.

Dannah: The ding dong ditch. That’s where you place a bag of something on someone’s doorstep, you ring the bell, and you run. Right?

Bob: We did this when Robby was small, we dressed him in a pumpkin suit when he was about six months old, we put on the doorsteps of some people’s houses, rang the doorbell and hid in the bushes.

Dannah: We left a baby, a pumpkin baby on the doorstep.

Bob: That’s not something we’re suggesting.

Dannah: We came back for him.

Bob: We did.

Dannah: But it could just be freshly baked cookies that you leave behind right?

Bob: Yeah, if you want to be a good neighbor. It’s good, just don’t get caught. What’s the fun in that?

Dannah: Whatever you choose to do, bond with your dad this week. Don’t forget that God has a plan for both of you in each other’s lives and that includes being a girl . . .

Bob: . . . or being a guy. 

Staci: Yup. He really does.

Claire: After today’s episode, we hope you realize it’s great to be a girl. That’s a really important place to begin our new season. In the next episodes we’ll explore our own values as girls, and we’ll learn to better appreciate our dads and brothers and other boys. I think we’re well on our way. I know I learned a lot today. 

To get more ideas get a copy of the book, 8 Greats Dates for Dads and Daughters by Bob and Dannah Gresh. You can learn more about at MyTrueGirl.com. 

Join us next time as we ask the question, what ingredients go into being a girl? I’ll give you a hint; it’s not sugar and spice and everything nice. Find out next time on the True Girl podcast. 

The True Girl podcast is produced in partnership with Revive Our Hearts, inviting women of all ages to understand God’s design about being female.

*Offers available only during the broadcast of the podcast season.