Standing on my Soap Box

Well, have you looked at yourself lately? Have you considered what you are telling people when they look at you? I am amazed at what some people think is appropriate to wear out of the house. In my profession, I am amazed at what some people wear to interviews. I once had a woman show up for an interview for an office job wearing Croc flip flops, longer shorts, and a palm leaf printed shirt. I have also seen young people show up to fill in an application form wearing fleece pajama bottoms!

Now as you may (or may not) know, I have 3 boys. They are 16, 13, and 11. Now when I see what girls/women have decided is appropriate to wear, I shudder for my children. I realize that the responsibility to be gentlemanly is 100 percent in my boys’ court, and that gawking is not appropriate. I also know though, that they are male. God has designed the male human species to be visual. When women wear clothing that is too revealing/too low/too tight, it has an effect on men.

If you have read my Call to Action blog, you know that I am a survivor of sexual abuse. My abuser was 28, and I was 14. His wife constantly got on my case about not being modest. While I understand that some of my clothes were not the best choice to wear, they certainly weren’t as short/tight or low as what I am seeing now. I also know that it didn’t matter what I had on, my abuser was responsible for his actions, and my clothes had nothing to do with it. I tell you this because I want you to know where I am coming from.

Part of how we dress comes from how we feel about ourselves. I spent a few of the more recent years looking a little drab. In the year’s right after my abuse, I dressed overly matronly (oh vey! I shudder when I see the pictures). I am not asking women to dress drab, or matronly, or even out of fashion, what I am suggesting though is that we consider what we wear. Being in fashion doesn’t mean that we leave nothing to the male imagination. Dress well! Be proud of “what your mama gave you”! Just don’t show it to the world.

So, why am I telling you this, because I see a need. A need for beauty to come from the inside…