After more than a week of wearing mostly dresses and skirts, I've already learned a few things about myself and my family.
First, I did end up wearing sweatpants a couple of days, but I felt so lazy and unmotivated. It's probably just me, but putting on something that's not remotely like pajamas, something I have to think about makes me more productive and less likely to sit in front of a tv and vegetate.
Second, I also have noticed that I just feel good in dresses and skirts, not because I am congratulating myself with any false hope of superiority or accomplishment, but I just feel, well, more like a woman. I mean like a real woman. I wasn't expecting this, but I feel more akin to my mom and grandmothers. As if there's some maturity in wearing something feminine, some connection to a time when women were obviously women, and strong women at that, and men were clearly men. I think our generation of young women ( and some middle-aged) have bought the lie that we need to be tough and leaders taking authority, and it's reflected in our dressing much like the guys (the phrase "wearing the pants" comes to mind). My standard uniform used to be t-shirts and jeans. Albeit I do wear t-shirts with jean skirts, but somehow it seems so different.
Thirdly, I have noticed my husband likes to see me out of sweats sometimes. Of course, he says he likes to see me period, regardless of what I am or am not wearing. I think it shows that I want to not only honor him by making the effort to be attractive, but that I want to honor him in being modest and feminine as his wife for him and no one else.
Fourthly, my daughter really has noticed. She often comes up to me and says, "I like your dress. It's so pretty. Mommy, can I wear a dress today?". I love seeing little girls in little dresses :) And there's been less talk about looking like the Disney princesses and more of her comparing herself to me! (Talk about a terrifying responsibility!)
Fifthly and finally, but most importantly, has been the realization that simply being countercultural may seem hard at first (but you can get used to it), but it's honoring to God. One of the things I remember my parents saying to us as kids when we asked to do something they deemed too worldly or inappropriate, was that we were "set apart" ("But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him."-Psalm 4:3 ) for God and were supposed to be a "peculiar people" ("For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth."-Deuteronomy 14:2 ; "And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken."-Deuteronomy 26:18-19 ; "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."-Titus 2:14 ; "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."-1 Peter 2:9 ) not "of the world" we live in. That's always stayed with me, and I think has often encouraged me, even when I was unregenerate and lost as could be, to go against the grain to be different if I wanted to be and not worry about what others think. There's a freedom in Christ that allows us to disregard what men think of us for the sake of the gospel.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."-1 John 2:15-17 .
We know anything that could cause another to sin, is not worth doing. This video by C.J. Maheny gives an honest response from guys about lust and about immodest dress in the church among their sisters in Christ. My favorite part is when he quotes a woman who decides not to buy a shirt she likes and says, "I just can't do that to the guys." That line has stuck with me, and pops up in my mind to remind me when I'm considering what I wear.
So, why do you wear what you wear?
Love in truth.
First, I did end up wearing sweatpants a couple of days, but I felt so lazy and unmotivated. It's probably just me, but putting on something that's not remotely like pajamas, something I have to think about makes me more productive and less likely to sit in front of a tv and vegetate.
Second, I also have noticed that I just feel good in dresses and skirts, not because I am congratulating myself with any false hope of superiority or accomplishment, but I just feel, well, more like a woman. I mean like a real woman. I wasn't expecting this, but I feel more akin to my mom and grandmothers. As if there's some maturity in wearing something feminine, some connection to a time when women were obviously women, and strong women at that, and men were clearly men. I think our generation of young women ( and some middle-aged) have bought the lie that we need to be tough and leaders taking authority, and it's reflected in our dressing much like the guys (the phrase "wearing the pants" comes to mind). My standard uniform used to be t-shirts and jeans. Albeit I do wear t-shirts with jean skirts, but somehow it seems so different.
Thirdly, I have noticed my husband likes to see me out of sweats sometimes. Of course, he says he likes to see me period, regardless of what I am or am not wearing. I think it shows that I want to not only honor him by making the effort to be attractive, but that I want to honor him in being modest and feminine as his wife for him and no one else.
Fourthly, my daughter really has noticed. She often comes up to me and says, "I like your dress. It's so pretty. Mommy, can I wear a dress today?". I love seeing little girls in little dresses :) And there's been less talk about looking like the Disney princesses and more of her comparing herself to me! (Talk about a terrifying responsibility!)
Fifthly and finally, but most importantly, has been the realization that simply being countercultural may seem hard at first (but you can get used to it), but it's honoring to God. One of the things I remember my parents saying to us as kids when we asked to do something they deemed too worldly or inappropriate, was that we were "set apart" ("But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him."-Psalm 4:3 ) for God and were supposed to be a "peculiar people" ("For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth."-Deuteronomy 14:2 ; "And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken."-Deuteronomy 26:18-19 ; "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."-Titus 2:14 ; "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."-1 Peter 2:9 ) not "of the world" we live in. That's always stayed with me, and I think has often encouraged me, even when I was unregenerate and lost as could be, to go against the grain to be different if I wanted to be and not worry about what others think. There's a freedom in Christ that allows us to disregard what men think of us for the sake of the gospel.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."-1 John 2:15-17 .
So, why do you wear what you wear?
Love in truth.
6 comments:
Thoughtful post, Sarah! I, too, simply enjoy wearing skirts more than pants. I appreciate what Mrs. Duggar tells her girls, too, regarding modest dress....that we want to bring attention to our countenance instead of the rest of our bodies.
And, isn't it wonderful to have husbands who think we're lovely even if dressed in a potato sack? (that's what my Beloved would always tell me....:))
I enjoyed your blog so much today, such inspiring and encouraging words.
Dresses DO make me feel more 'womanly' I suppose.
I can't imagine trying to squeeze into jeans now:P
Thank you ladies.
I do still wear jeans (like last night while squatting in our basement under the stairs waiting for tornados to pass by, they just seemed like a good idea). Sometimes I think they are more practical. I like to run and where pants then and for gardening, because I have to really get down in the dirt on my knees and the thought of a creepy crawly going up my skirt is unthinkably horrible (I know they could go up my pants, too, but for some reason I feel less vulnerable).
I feel as though I'm discovering more of the freedom we have in Christ. In knowing that being modest and feminine gives Him glory in my life, but that I'm not bound by legalism of what to wear. Love in Christ!
Love this video. I posted it and an Adventures In Oddysey story on my little spot on the web. *smile* Enjoy being a helpmeet and falling the Teacher. Sincerely, Mommy of two little blessings & so much more!
Mommy of Two Little Blessings,
First, I have to say that your picture is beyond awesome. The Anne of Green Gables movies are some of my all-time favorite, ever!
Glad you enjoyed the video. There's a first part to the message that can be found on youtube if you search for C.J. Maheny Modesty. It's also very convicting. I shall have to check out your blog ;)
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