Yes, we girls do have a hard time when shopping for clothes. I'm sure all of you girls can say a resounding "Amen!" to that! These days, it seems like most things are either too low, too short, too tight, or too something! Finding longer, nice-looking shirts that I actually liked was something pretty rare and quite made my day! Too often, however, I've spent a day shopping only to come home with a sigh and nothing to show for the time spent searching. That's part of why I sew a lot, for I can design and make clothes the way I like them.
Why do we do it? Why do we dress modestly? Is it because it's easy? Definitely not! It takes time, energy, and sometimes more money to find modest apparel. Is it because it's in style? No again. Most of the fashions today would have you showing too much and concealing too little. A modest maiden often stands out somewhat, simply because she's going against the flow. I've longs since stopped trying to fit in with changing fads, and decided to instead focus on making my own modesty statement and starting my own modest trends.
Modesty isn't something that's easy or popular. Neither is it a list of do's and don'ts or clear-cut rules. Modesty starts in the heart and the outward appearance is what reflects what's inside. Nor does modesty simply apply to clothes; true modesty is evident in the way you carry and conduct yourself.
So, why do we dress modestly? We dress modestly to bring glory to our Heavenly Father and to honor Him with what we wear. We dress modestly to protect our brothers and brothers-in-Christ, so that they may at least be spared the visual assaults when with us. We dress modestly to honor our future husbands, saving ourselves for them alone. We dress modestly for the world, to show them that yes, there is something different about us as Christians.
Why do I dress modestly? I dress modestly because I am one of the...
Share your thoughts:
What does a modest maiden look like to you? How does she carry and conduct herself?
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16 comments:
I like this picture! Very cute...
Many blessings...
You know, so many places I am reading are about modesty. It must be on a lot of hearts besides mine :-)
I know what you mean with trying to find clothes. Mom and I were at JCPenny a few days ago, and I tried on a top that was long. However, it is like the current style: it accenuated the chest too much...and I don't want that. Thus, my sewing lessons :-)
Like you, Anna (and Miriam) I try to dress modest for several reasons. One is that God told me to honor him with body and to protect others from falling. I think that is the big reason. Also, I want to be a testimony of the Lord by what I wear; I want someone to look at me and say, "There is something different, something pure and innocent, about her."
Cute picture!
Modesty surely isn't always easy! It does make a difference though! I sew a lot of my own clothes, which does make life easier. Shopping can be Frustrating!!!
God bless you! -Anna
Modesty is a part of our life! Or at least it should be. When the girl is young, she is told by her mother, to sit in the right way, to not attract attention to herself, and not to laugh too loud. She is dressed in a frilly dress, and her hair is in ribbons, and she is to be a lady. Well, most of the time, we see our brothers do things that are more fun, and we want to do them too.
I have met a family that skis in skirts. They are brave. The one time I did it, I did it with a skirt, and it didn't work out so well. I didn't know how to ski either!:)
Modesty is not just about our dress, it is about the way we are protrayed by others, and to others. If you wear jeans, and have a meek and quiet spirit, you are modest. The only reason why so many of us think that jeans are immodest, is the conduct that is displayed when girls wear them!I have nothing against jeans. I wear them once in a while when I am working in the garden, or walking the neighborhood(I have to,because we have wind here, and a skirt would be embarrasing if it flew up, in the wind)Well, modesty is a state of mind, not just dress!
Anyway, there is my two cents worth!
Laura H
Dear Anna, thank you for sharing this. Yes, dressing modestly isn't easy, but it's so, so important. How wonderful that you realized this earlier than I did!! When I was your age (boy does it make me sound old... :P) I dressed in a manner that makes me shudder now. Well, this has changed, and my life is so much better for it!!
PS: I found that many times, wearing layers does the trick for me: if a shirt has a low v-neck, I can wear something with a high neckline under it.
Amen! :-)
I have found that while for as long as I can remember, modesty has been an issue for me, only just recently have I really started to sort out a lot of my personal convictions. For example, I used to wear some rather short shorts...then regular length shorts...and now I only wear knee-length or just-above-the-knee shorts, and capris. The rule I like to go by is that I don't like to expose my thighs.
A lot, if not most, of my personal convictions regarding the practiacal applications of modesty are not shared by my family members, so it can be hard sometimes! I just remind myself that not everyone is going to come to the same conclusions I have, and it took my quite a while to come to them myself. The important thing is not to judge or be legalistic about these matters.
Lovely post!
I have been listening to past episodes of "Revive our Hearts" lately, and though I would share the link with you:
http://www.reviveourhearts.com/topics/series.php?series=97&topic_name=Modesty/Sexual%20Purity
There from the series, "The Attractive Christian Woman", and I really loved how they brough out the need to have inward modesty as well as outward. Our behavior needs to be modest as well as our clothes!
P.S. - Sorry for my poor spelling and grammar is my last two posts...these things need an "Edit" button! :-)
Great post, Anna!
I wear skirts often, but I wear pants, too. I do wear skirts out in public a lot more than I wear pants, but sometimes I feel like doing pants.
I rarely wear shorts. I did wear some recently in public (they weren't indecent at all), but it felt weird. Probably because I never do it. I like capris and when I can find a good, not-too-tight and decent pair of jeans, I like them, too.
Well, I'm tired, so I shall stop this rambling.
Thanks for all of your thoughts! It's so nice to hear from other girls committed to modesty.
Modesty isn't pants vs. skirts. I do wear skirts 99.999 % of the time, but it's because I really like them. =) I can't imagine skiing in a skirt though, Laura. I've skied before, and it doesn't seem very conducive to skirts! ;-)
King's_Daughter - I agree, they do need an edit button! Thanks for the link; I'm off to read it!
I agree, and I totally understand those vacant sighs at the end of a long day of shopping. I just really don't get what's so great about going shopping for the sake of it, especially when there's nothing modest to buy!
I have recently started thinking a bit more about modesty, and I'm constantly checking with everyone whether a shirt I'm wearing is too low or pants are too tight and such. Fortunately, I'm doing just fine. :) It's not that I wasn't conscious of it before, it's just that I want to be MORE conscious of it.
I also purchased a new swimsuit a few weeks ago from www.swimmodest.com, and I love it. It's still stylish, but it covers everything. That makes me a whole lot more comfortable when swimming in public. ;)
It's a hard thing sometimes, but for the glory of our Heavenly Father, we can swim upstream in this area!
In Christ,
Sheila
Keep on serving him! I really enjoyed this post because it is a topic close to my heart. I remember the countless trips with my mom when I really needed something to wear. We often came home with nothing! I wasn't very good at sewing although I did try several times to make something.
Being very petite, I didn't even fit into women's sizes for a really long time, and only fit into junior sizes. There was usually not ONE outfit in juniors that was appropriate.
God was ever faithful though. In those days there was a young woman who was married and very modest. She was growing out of her things, and passed them ALL down to me! I still have some of those clothes.
I don't like to sew at all, but I keep on learning because 1. I will never have any of the dresses I love unless I do! (I love so many of the dresses you have made!), 2. When I grow up, I suspect it might be harder to find modest clothes- so I'll want to sew for my girls., and 3. I do like the idea of being able to sew...it seems like a good homemaking requirment to me! :)
But, anyway, I dread going fall shopping. My standards in modesty and femininity have changed so much in the last year that I don't know what to expect!
I love the picture, very neat!! :)
I just love you girls, I hope and pray my daughter will be like you!
I love modesty and dresses, but my hubby don't like me wearing dresses around...I guess he Is more up to date...Im the old fashion heart!
I love the lord and he knows my heart.
you girls are the best!
your sis In christ Tabby
Hi Anna and Miriam,
I LOVE this post. After much ado I was finally able to get a link for your site on my new blog, Julia's Journal. You can add me to your maidens list!
Julia
http://jewelsbyjulia-lauren.blogspot.com/
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