The heart of modesty returns

Modesty has been back in my heart, and on my mind. I am ready friends, to update my wardrobe ~ well update for me. As I lost weight I removed items that no longer fit, because I knew no matter what I was NOT going to go back up. For me, keeping those clothes was a way to give myself permission to let go and regain the weight. The problem is, I bought jeans and I have a few tops. I have one skirt that I wear for choir at church. (We wear black w/ an accent color EVERY single Sunday.) I am ashamed to say, that I do not have much "decent" clothes to wear.

God is working on me in this issue, and I hope to begin resolving my issue very soon. Depending on what time my husband comes in from his hunting trip, I am hoping to make a quick trip to Goodwill to check out a few of their racks. I don't mind thrift store shopping, nor sharing that I enjoy it. Buying skirts that are truly appropriate (in my opinion) are often hard to find in the retail realm right now. I like my skirts to be long, below the calf. Often before I had a deep desire to go "skirts only" ~ not because of any I felt God said I had to kind of reasons, but I truly like to be "girly", and jeans and t's don't allow that feeling. Yes I teach preschool, but with a longer skirt, I can easily still get in the floor if I so desire.

1 Peter 2:12 - "Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world." (NLT)


There have been times when my husband jokingly questions what I have chosen to wear out to the grocery store or what not though he enjoys that kind of dressing at home. I don't know if it really bothers him, but it bothers me that it could possibly be putting up a wall between us. I also do not want to be tempting others by the way I dress. If my jeans are bit tight, or shirt reveals too many curves.
1 Timothy 2:9 - "And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes." (NLT)


I do not believe God is saying to not wear jewelry or makeup, or to not wear our hair in a style we enjoy ~ but putting so much focus on ourselves is NOT His desire for us. He does not want others to be drawn to us by outward appearance (in drawing attention to our figures, or by way of "fitting in"), but for others to be drawn to us by His Spirit that lives in us. That is where I am today. That is what I want. I want God to move me to the side, and work through me. I no longer want to draw attention to the weight I lost, or how my body has changed. I want others to see how much my heart has changed!! To God be the Glory!

Love in Christ,

Dressing like a lady

Oy vey! ( Oh my!) When the Lord convicts us in our spirts, oh does he ever! It is very clear, and very powerful. I ... have been convicted. And I am humbled by the entire experience.

Background:
It has been almost eight years since I have really been comfortable in my own skin. After the summer of 2001, I got pregnant with the twins ( Just after 9/11/01). After their birth, I just had no desire or even energy to care about my weight, or my clothes. I got too comfortable in baggy t shirts, and loose jeans and shorts.

Fast forward to now, where I am seventy pounds lighter and very much aware of how it feels to be noticed. Yes I liked the attention, it was something I hadn't gotten in a long time. I have been looking online at swimsuits for this summer, almost deciding on a bikini, just because I can. OH MY. This Modesty week, couldn't have come at a better time. I am again humbled and yet relieved, because I now realize I don't really want "attention" from others, just my husband. :) I know in the eyes of the Lord, that is something that can be used to glorify Him through our marriage. I realize that I already have our friends husbands noticing my weightloss, why do I need to draw their attention away from their own wives? I do not want to do that! I honestly don't! I am glad God showed me this week that my thinking was wrong.

It is time though, to dress like a lady. The baggy t shirts and jeans didn't do me any justice either, and as sloppy as that looked, it did not bring God the glory that he deserves. I need to take a bit more care into my looks and the way I dress. My hearts desire is to bring God glory, as well as motivate others to be healthy and look their best. Feeling good, has many benefits. Not only do we begin to take time and care with ou appearance, but we are setting a good example for the next generation. My daughter will not be allowed to wear a bikini this year either. We will be honoring God with each splash, dive, and game of "Marco Polo" that comes around.

Losing weight, learning modesty

Since ya'll know I have dropped 70 pounds, and have that last 20 to go ( STILL ~ UGH!), I had to come share this with ya!



Joy has an amazing blog, and this week not only is she doing a study on modesty, she has an AMAZING give a way going on! Come check it out! Even if your not sure what true "modesty" is, this is a great time to educate yourself, and see where the Spirit leads ya!