Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Warm Weather Modesty – or the Lack of it . . . .

from:
Mountains of Mourne
"I believe that when writin', a wish you expressed
As to how the fine ladies in London were dressed.
Well, if you'll believe me, when asked to a ball,
Faith! they don't wear no tops to their dresses at all!

Oh, I've seen them myself and you could not, in truth,
Say if they were bound for a ball or a bath!
Don't be startin' them fashions now, Mary Macree,
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea."

I really had to chuckle the first time I heard those verses sung by one of the Irish Tenors. The author's blatant descriptions of the clothing fashions in London, are quite humorous, to say the least, but they are also (unfortunately) descriptive of some of the dresses that are worn these days. The words to the above song, came rollicking through my mind last Sunday as we were driving home from church. The reason for such un-pious thoughts on the Lord's Day? . . . . Well, the weather happened to be gorgeous, warm, sunny, and 70's. As we drove through one of the more densely populated cities, we couldn't help but notice the great number of people that were out taking advantage of the nice weather. The only problem was that it looked as if most of them had left half their clothes at home!

I recently read this amusing yet frightful quote, "It use to take a whole sheep to clothe a woman, now a silk worm can do it on his lunch break!" (1)

My dear sisters in Christ, as the weather gets warmer, and with it our wardrobes become lighter, can we all try to keep in mind Whose child we are? We are daughters of the King ~ princesses! And therefore should be dressing so as not to bring shame to our Father, but to honor Him and give Him glory. He has told us to dress in "modest apparel." Now don't start getting worried that Faith is going to tell everyone that they have to wear long dresses and skirts all the time. I know many of you do, and that is the boundary line that God has drawn out for me also, but I am not going to impose it on anyone. All I ask is that each of us look carefully at our wardrobes, with God's leading, and each time we get dressed, ask the question: "Does my appearance bring glory to my Heavenly Father, or will this, shirt, skirt, pair of pants etc, perhaps cause a dear brother in Christ to stumble?"

Enjoy the lovely Spring weather, my friends! Take pleasure in all the beautiful flowers, and tiny new leaves, the birds' trilling songs and the sweet, fresh air. Revel also in the seasons of change in your own life, as you grow more into the image of your dear Savior, and strive to glorify Him in everything you do.

Yours Truly,
Faith

(1) His Chosen Bride By: Jennifer Lamp