Modesty, Revisited

Hello Friends. My clothes are becoming worn. I have lost a skirt. And I have a reputation for being a walking "work of art" that I NEED to maintain. (IF you know me, you know that that is SUCH a joke.) That said, it is time to go shopping...somewhere inexpensive...and buy some things for Me. I HATE to shop. I HATE to buy things for me. I always shop the clearance stuff and try to get things for $10 or less. Yes. I know. I'm a "spendthrift". Anyway, if I have to buy new clothes it causes me to reflect on the motivation behind the purchases and how I will be perceived in certain types of clothing. It's important.

I hate to be put in a box, I'd much rather stand on one and rant. I do not mind at all when people think they can look at me and make a judgment based on my clothes, I think that's normal. What I do mind is for someone to look at me and think they can judge my character or lack thereof based on some preconceived notion they have about "people like me".

I was watching "America's Got Talent" recently and there was a young man on there who had dyed black hair, black makeup around his eyes...just the whole goth look. He sang beautifully and he sang a piece from opera that I should know, but don't. He made me cry because he has been so hurt in his life. He is a depressed and broken young man and I just wanted to love on him. He feared rejection so much that he finally began to dress in such a way that he would BE rejected by most people. :(

Our clothes say so much. They are a way to express our inmost selves and show people that which is important to us. We wear cute sayings that reflect our sense of humor. We advertise for first one thing and then another (sometimes without even realizing it). We wear things that we know other people will like because we want to be liked and accepted by other people. We wear things that flatter our figures (as if that were possible!). How do we NEED to be dressing though? If we are the Lord's then we are to submit our closet to Him. If that means starting over, then save your pennies and ask the Lord to help you replenish it from His bounty (ie. hand-me-downs, Goodwill,clothes swaps, garage sales, etc.).

The Lord has not been silent on the issue of clothing. In times of judgment the Lord took away the beautiful things and revealed the shame of His people, comparing it to a woman and her "bling". He has directed us to be modest and chaste. What does that mean? I think the definition is different for everyone but not so different that anyone should be offended by what we wear.

With that explained, I must confess that many times I tend to want to make a purchase based on the cuteness factor of the article of clothing rather than the PLEASING factor. Would this please the Lord? My hubs? My kids? (They get embarassed, ya know?) Would I be a distraction at church, at the store, as I walk across the street?

You might be thinking, "Well, I'm fat and I'm going to wear what is comfortable!". Guess what? I'm fat and I want to wear what's comfortable, too, but if it wouldn't please the Lord then I don't wear it. If you were going to meet with Him at a restaurant what would you wear? Would you wear THAT? No. Not if you love Him and respect Him. We can be sensual and immodest when we are overweight just as easily as when we are thin, it just isn't as appealing to other people. It does give them some amusement tho.

So, instead of making purchases based soley on the cuteness factor I must consider these things:
1. Would I wear it to meet the Lord or would I not want Him catching me in it?
2. Am I choosing this because it makes me look good or because it fits so that I look stylish and modest and practical?
3. Is this so expensive that I could feed a whole third world country for a day?
4. Is it me? Does it reflect my personality, at the same time show others that I am concerned about modesty?

I am not, and will not, make up a bunch of rules about clothing...for myself, my girls or you. That's not my place. I just wanted to share some of the reasons why I make the choices that I make. I wanted to encourage others to think through these things and realize how important the decisions are. We must protect our brothers and sisters in Christ from our sinful thinking. We must remember that we are not to cause our brothers to stumble by how we dress. You don't care about that? Well, stop reading right now and repent of your blatant sin. If you don't love your brother enough to make a different choice about the length of your britches/skirt or the neckline of your top then you have bigger problems than the length of your britches! (I'm a grandmother now, I can say that outloud.)

Let's all get mirrors and look in them objectively (from another person's perspective). Let's ask ourselves:
1. If someone sees me in the this from behind, will they lust? Does it show the world where the split God gave me really is? (sorry.)
2. What if I raise my arms, does my belly show?
3. What about sitting down or bending over? Am I showing hiney or cleavage?
4. Most importantly as I prepare to shop, will someone know just by looking at me that I value modesty and my relationship with the LORD?

We don't have to be frumpy. I know I am. I just like to be comfortable and when you are wrestling kids, comfort is nice. We can dress like Queens or peasants, the most important thing is, would your Bridegroom, who has given ALL to have you washed and spotless, appreciate what you are wearing?

Just some thoughts I was thinking because it's time to think 'em. I hope that you can be edified by my thoughts and encouraged as well.

Again, God bless!