What Not to Wear
{credit}I’ve been spending a lot of time sifting through last year’s clothes lately, trying to sort out what’s going to consignment, what’s going to Goodwill, & what just needs to be trashed, which reminded me that I haven’t watched “What Not to Wear” in a while. Thank you, TLC, for giving us Stacy & Clinton to provide quality entertainment & helpful information on what we should & should not wear. I mean, who doesn’t love watching a poor unsuspecting soul who has no idea that they look absolutely terrible become transformed into a well-dressed, respectable member of society? People are wearing ridiculous things, but with a little common sense (& Stacy & Clinton), we don’t have to be those people. All we have to do is learn to choose the right pieces & we’ll look great. Or at least we can try.Well, I recently realized that there are some guidelines to follow for our “spiritual wardrobe” as well. I was in a ladies’ meeting this week where my mom was the speaker. She spoke about things we wear as Christian women. But she wasn’t talking about clothes, but rather our attitude & our demeanor. Our model is that ever-stylish Proverbs 31 woman. What’s she wearing this fall? The same thing she wears every season, because it never goes out of style. “Strength and honor are her clothing…”, says Proverbs 31:25. She checks her reflection against the person of Christ. She’s the picture of a classy, refined woman who knows what looks best on her and is never seen wearing anything less. But, as my mom mentioned, so many of us, rather than choosing to wear that Strength & Honor, put on our “cheap trinkets” of Anger, Fear, Insecurity, Pride, Greed, Jealousy, and all those other ones you & I both have in our closets. We walk out of the house looking ridiculous because we put on the wrong thing without stopping to check if it was really what we should be wearing. And today when I was driving down the road & kids were whining & someone cut me off & the frustration started escalating, I caught a glimpse of myself in the rear view mirror & thought, “Oh, great. I left the house wearing my cheap trinkets again.” I don’t want to be caught doing that. I wouldn’t wear tacky clothes so why do I wear tacky traits? I love clothes & accessories. {Those of you who’ve toured my closet are shouting “amen!”} But, this season (and from now on) I’m praying I can get rid of all my cheap trinkets & just wear the things that look best on me. And I want my kids to learn this as well because they’ve got cheap trinkets, too. Unfortunately they come in all sizes.So, what will you be wearing this fall?
Anonymous
September 18, 2010 @ 4:12 am
Thank you, Julie! Such a great reminder from the other night… Looking forward to next month!
~Page
The Heskew Happenings
September 18, 2010 @ 4:16 am
Man (or Woman), good timing on this for me! Thanks!
Jodz
September 18, 2010 @ 5:44 am
AMEN! I have had one of those days and really needed to hear this. Thanks for posting this.
lotsofolives
September 18, 2010 @ 11:45 am
Great analogy! I remember a few years ago after a trying morning at home, I ran out to the van to go somewhere (in a rush, of course) and caught my reflection in the van's window. Wow! Who was that lady with the scowl? Is that who was at my house all morning? No wonder my kids were grumpy and everyone was out of sorts! Time to rethink priorities and attitudes (mine especially). I'd like to say she never showed up at my house again, but alas from time to time, she knocks on the door of my heart. The key for me to keep scowling-woman away is to put on Jesus in the morning – every day – and make sure I don't "slip into something more casual" as the day progresses. Staying clothed in those garments of a Princess of The King is vital. Good reminder, Julie!
littlethings1
September 18, 2010 @ 12:36 pm
A great post !! Will have to always remember the cheap trinkets analogy , God always has the best !
Thanks !
Eunice
The Asberry Family
September 18, 2010 @ 1:32 pm
Thanks so much Julie for this encouragement. I needed this today.
Laura
September 18, 2010 @ 3:48 pm
What a beautiful post! Thank you.
NanaDiana
September 18, 2010 @ 6:02 pm
Thank you for a wonderful post that reminds me what I should be wearing…and, even more important to put on clean undergarments (the heart) under that outer wear! xxoo Diana
Jesenia
September 18, 2010 @ 11:19 pm
Wow I loved that! Well said! I think I'll share your/your mom's thoughts at the next youth group slumber party. Man, if we could learn this while we are young….we are bound to be "hot" distinguished woman.
Mrs. Wilson
September 19, 2010 @ 1:03 am
Awesome post! This was a great encouragement.
jerriann
September 19, 2010 @ 4:00 pm
Great topic, thanks for sharing your Mom's thoughts. I want to use this in my own life and share it with my girls who can then teach it to their girls. Like the comment above if we had know this while we were young how much more love we would have to give.
Amen sister, great post.
thedomesticfringe
September 20, 2010 @ 12:21 am
That was good. I need it. Thanks!
-FringeGirl
kathie
September 20, 2010 @ 2:04 am
SO, so true. We all need that reminder of what we're 'wearing' every once in a while! Thank you for sharing!
adornedlife
September 21, 2010 @ 12:50 pm
love this.
melissabrotherton.com
September 21, 2010 @ 11:39 pm
Haha! This is the second post I've read today about being accessorized by the qualities of God. 🙂 Great thoughts! And I love What Not to Wear. 🙂
Darla
April 3, 2012 @ 2:32 am
I love your blog! great ideas, great mind, creative and such a lovely family! 🙂 Darla