It's been about a month since I started this modesty quest and I've learned a lot about myself in this time. That sounds a bit cliche, but it's true.
I've realized that this is just as much of an issue of femininity as it is modesty for me. I've come to realize that the main reason that I started thinking about my wardrobe in the first place was because my clothing choices weren't always feminine.
I lived in sweat pants and t-shirts when I first got married, that changed about 7 years ago when my husband mentioned something about my 'ratty old sweats'. I felt convicted by my choice of sweat pants, so I got rid of them. But my clothing choices were still on the unfeminine side- jeans, t-shirts, tennis shoes, etc. This is really the reason that my quest was started, I was feeling that same conviction that I had over the sweat pants as I was having now with the unfeminine clothes.
Since I began this quest I've made it a point to dress in a prettier and more feminine way, whether it was a skirt or pants that I was wearing. I have been wearing more skirts, and I did get rid of most of my jeans during the past month, but I've realized that "only skirts" is not the main issue for me. I have one pair of jeans left and two pairs of pants, none are tight-fitting, and I truly did not feel led to get rid of these last three. In this past month I've become more comfortable wearing skirts more often, I don't feel as awkward wearing a skirt during the week as I had in the beginning of this quest. My family doesn't find it odd either, early on in this quest I was asked all the time, "mom, why are you wearing a skirt?", or "mom, where are you going?". Now it is more common to see me in a skirt and they don't find it so strange. Actually my 8 year old daughter has been wearing her skirts more often too, she likes "looking nice"- as she puts it.
I feel blessed that the Lord saw fit to put me on this journey, I have realized many things during this past month, and I'm sure there is still much more to learn. The main question I have asked myself during this past month is this:
"Is the Lord pleased with my choice of outfit?"
If I have no reservations in that question then I feel confident that I have made a good choice, whether a skirt, a dress, or a pair of pants. In the past month I have felt convicted, on more than one occasion, in a particular outfit and I felt it was the Lord telling me I needed to change into something more modest, more feminine, or both.
The Lord has been speaking to my heart, and He can do the same with yours if you'll allow Him to.
Let's allow the Lord to speak to our hearts about everything, including our wardrobe.
A few years back, I felt the same pull. To do away with wearing hubby's old soft levi's and a t. I wore skirts for 2 years. The boys would ask the "Where are you going" question - and that hit hard. That they knew I would dress for other people, and not my own family. I now wear an assortment of female clothes, and hubby requests for me to get out of the blue/brown/black mode. I have been trying to pick up pinks/greens/light blues. I still like shorts and a t, but they can be pretty, modest, and look like we are "going somewhere". ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is very thought provoking (written wearing gym shorts and a t-shirt.) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy teen daughter and I just arrived back home a little while ago from an all-day trip to the city to shop for clothes for her. Just can't find feminine and modest clothes in our community that fit girls who aren't toothpicks! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a timely post. I feel blessed to have a daughter who would prefer to wear jeans and a t-shirt but is willing to pick out clothes that are feminine and modest instead, except for work-out clothing. Well, that's modest, too! Only a few girls we know are willing to wear modest AND feminine clothing where we live. It's just something that isn't done. They might be modest, but not feminine.
Thank you for your post. I enjoyed reading what you had to share with us. And I just love those great Labor Day/Memorial Day clothing sales, too!
Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com
I am not yet married but I am trying to begin wearing more feminine and modest clothing. I am 19 so I would like to continue to look my age rather than a much more mature woman which at times can be a challenge. Great ponits highlighted in this post. Thanks for coming over and visiting my blog today. :)
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