However! Here's our next Friday with Friends and I think you'll enjoy it!
Sweet Southern Accents
Today, I’m a professional model-turned author and speaker, but during a brief hiatus from the fashion industry, I went to work selling furniture at the largest furniture gallery in the world. Twice a year, my colleagues and I would travel an hour to High Point, NC to peruse the latest fashions in upholstery and case goods. Dressed to the nines, and surrounded by the industries leading designers, presidents, CEOs and other highfalutin folks made this an occasion to be on our best behavior. We waltzed around each room, sipping our tea with an extended pinky finger and commenting on the intricacy and detail of the fine pieces. Everyone stopped as we approached an expensive 3 feet tall modern floor lamp made with fine rice paper wrapped in a woven mesh wire. While everyone gazed in awe, my sweet southern accent turned horribly hillbilly as I smiled and shouted, “Well! That ain’t notin’ but chicken wire!” Much to my embarrassment and of those around me, I couldn’t escape this devastating truth; you can take a girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl.
Selling furniture was not for me.
It’s uncomfortable trying to act like we’re something we’re not. Eventually, the true us comes out—sometimes in a blazing glory, sometimes in raw, unexpected foolishness. I straddled that proverbial fence as an apathetic teenager. I tried desperately to fit in with my high school crowd, while still managing to warm the pew at church.
I was two different people.
I was miserable.
It was many months after graduation, while I was living in NYC as a professional model that I surrendered my heart to Christ. Finally, who I was pretending to be, and who I was becoming collided. From that conversion, Christ began molding me into whom He wanted me to be and the ministry Modeling Christ was born.
I share frequently in churches to youth groups and women’s ministries and though I speak on different topics, my primary message is on modesty. I teach and encourage women and girls how they can be fashionable while maintaining their integrity. Coincidentally, as I’m writing this, I just received a call from one of my agents who has a booking for me this week in Chattanooga for a national brand of skin care lotion. I was to be photographed wearing a towel, and smoothing lotion on my thighs for a $2000 day.
I turned it down.
I’m no longer two different people. I’m still a professional model, but one who strives to honor God in heart, mind and body.
Practicing what we preach isn’t always easy—but the reward is extraordinary! These days, the only pretending I do is during playtime with my two-year-old—whom also has a sweet southern accent.
Rachel is the President of Modeling Christ; (www.ModelingChrist.com) a faith based organization addressing the issues and needs of both participants in the modeling industry, and the world it influences. She has developed a successful speaking career while ministering at various women’s and youth conferences nationwide.
Her book, Fashioned by Faith (Thomas Nelson) is available for pre-order on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Fashioned-Faith-Rachel-Lee-Carter/dp/1400316928/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291843380&sr=8-1.It will be available in bookstores May 2011.
Rachel, how easy it would have been to tell yourself "but most of me will be covered." Practicing what you "preach" will do as much for the young women to whom you speak as anything you say. Together, what a ministry.
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