Modest Dressing and Headcovering Anniversary

February, 2015 marked my two year anniversary of modestly dressing in skirts/dresses and wearing a headcovering daily.

I have been the only lady in my church to wear a headcovering.  Just this last Sunday, I had a lady (whom I have done volunteer work with) come up to me before service started and begin to ask about my modest dressing and headcovering – did I make my own headcovering?  Were the changes I made hard?  She had been convicted through a variety of situations and confirmed with her husband as the head of house.

I am so thrilled to have another Sister in Christ who headcovers. I did not ask if it was just during church or always as I do.  Either way, I was blessed with our conversation.

I did let her know that my headcoverings are purchased from www.garlandsofgrace.com and I am blessed by that group of sisters.

The Lord is good!

This, That & the Other

A week until I am on a mini-vacation.  I get to visit with family and slip away from my job and community for a few days.  I pray that it is a joyful time of fellowship and re-energizing for my body and soul.  The last 2 months have been hectic at work, although that hasn’t pushed into other aspects of my life (other than an eye tic that won’t stop!).

My small group is in the middle of a book we are reading and discussing.  We usually do some type of study; however, a couple of gals were interesting in this particular book.  More 'book news' ~ I have just finished reading most of Charles Dickens’ works [I think I may have missed one or two but will double check].  Hmmm, I am lagging behind in crocheting – I would like to make some items and maybe put them on www.Etsy.com to sell.

I am amazed that it has been about a year since I started wearing skirts and headcoverings all the time.  I wasn’t sure how it would be in the winter; however, this year we have not been inundated with precipitation as the East Coast has.  So all in all, the adjustment to wearing skirts (or dresses) only has been extremely easy.

Success...Different Definitions

The end of January is looming on the horizon.  The beginning of 2014 is already coming to an end.

I have never given much thought to 5 year or 10 year planning.  I know that is what all ‘successful’ people do…I don’t put my head ‘in the sand’; however, I do my utmost to follow God’s lead.  Some years I am more successful at this than others.  I do give thought to being more Christ-like and studying the Word of God to know Him better.

Today, I received some disheartening news.  I had inquired about an order I had placed for a cowl (headcovering) from Garlands of Grace (www.garlandsofgrace.com) and through the USPS tracking, found that it had been delivered on January 23^rd.  Well, I don’t have it…either it was delivered to a wrong address or someone relieved my porch of a parcel.

Although I am upset/saddened by this news, my prayer is that whoever is in possession of the headcovering is blessed.  The family of sisters at Garlands of Grace put scriptures leading a person to Christ in with each order, so may that person be a blessed recipient.

"Appearance" Update

It has been four months since I began my modest dressing by wearing headcoverings and ‘skirts/dresses’ only.  There was a very small adjustment period and no looking back.  I find I am most comfortable with my scarf-type headcoverings versus the three caps I have.  I always feel as if the caps were going to come off.  The freedom I feel with the skirts is wonderful.  I don’t feel ‘on display’ and worrying about how my bottom half looks to others.

I am thankful for the support of family and friends during this ‘appearance change’ and know that I would do it regardless just because I have felt led by the Lord to do so.

I am feeling restless about life and not sure why.  The Lord’s ear is probably tired of my wonderings and I need to turn my ear towards Him to hear where/what He is leading me to do.

I was reading an Amish series this week and the first book had this Amish proverb which struck me as wunderbaar (wonderful):  “Happiness is the inner joy that can be sought or caught, but never taught or bought.”  How true that is!  The Lord’s joy is elusive yet attainable by prayer and thanksgiving at all times.

Thank you Heavenly Father!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Whew~what a busy weekend that was!  Very enjoyable times with my small group, daughter, church and volunteering.  I was gone from home most of the weekend and didn’t get any yard work done [this issue is hanging over my head].

My first Farm Chicks event!  What a great time we had~a huge thumbs up.  I think we may make this a Mother/Daughter yearly event.  A big ‘thank you’ to Serena for this wonderful yearly show of antiques and handmade items with lots of vendors.

Yes, I bought a ‘Newzgirl’ style cap while there.  Actually that was my goal~to add to my headcovering repertoire.  A shout out to www.oldmanspants.com ; they are a local, small business that is friendly and helpful.  I am eyeing a couple of other caps on their website.

The Daniel study I am doing on Thursday evenings is wrapping up at the end of June.  My small group has also disbanded for the summer.  I am on the search for some good books/series and a good bible study to tide me over for the summer ~~ I am sure the yard work will be calling my name as I try and plug my ears—LOL!

Changes

I had a conversation this weekend with a lady I have known for about 25 years. We were talking about my wardrobe changes and wearing a headcovering. She asked a very good question and it made me want to share it and my response.

“What are you searching for?” “I am not searching for anything; I have already found it :-) A reason for the appearance change is that I am hoping to convey what/how I am on the inside [learning daily with help from the Holy Spirit] by my appearance on the outside."

As she has known me for many years, she wasn’t surprised or in disbelief over my answer or the changes I am making.

We had another conversation on the aspect of dating/remarriage. The Bible is firm on the stance that a man or woman may remarry if their spouse has passed away. Otherwise, it is adultery. I realize that many people (Christians included) don’t take this stance. I am intent on living my life for Christ and am not ‘looking’ for a spouse. The Lord knows what is best for me; I have been washed clean of my inequities and look to Him for guidance.

Modest Dressing at work

I have changed out my jeans and pants for skirts and dresses. I found some appropriate skirts for work at a second hand store.

The 1st day, the ladies in the office asked “What’s the occasion?” To which I replied I am starting to wear dresses, and that I used to wear them a lot more often. The 2nd day, the ladies said “I like your outfit today”. The 3rd day, my carpool driver asks “What’s up with the skirts, are you Amish now?” “I see you are wearing a scarf, too.” “I figured it was for Lent or something.” I replied that I am wearing skirts for modesty reasons and that it is very freeing; and the headcovering is for prayer reasons. She mentioned she may have a couple of skirts for me (as she only wears pants).

In my immediate work area, there is one older gentleman (with all of us gals). He chatted with me for a few minutes and noticed that I was not wearing pants but a skirt. He complemented me on my feminine/modest dress and said that there are so many crazy styles out there and he wishes more women dressed in skirts or dresses as they used to when he was younger (currently 70). I thanked him and said I believed more women were beginning to dress modestly again.

I think the awkwardness at work is over (for the most part) and I don’t think there will be any other places that I will feel uncomfortable in my new mode of dressing.

Skirts (and I’m sure dresses) are definitely more freeing and comfortable than pants. I also feel more feminine in them.

I received my new headcoverings and am very happy with the finished products from www.garlandsofgrace.com – so happy that I have ordered 2 more of one style which is the discreet one for work.

Our weather is still “winter-like” but I just wear my hiking boots to and from work as needed.

The Lord leads the way and we are to follow. I know that the way we dress doesn’t make us better Christians; yet, the way we dress is an action that gets judged by others. By my modest dress and actions, I hope to convey an appropriate Christian attitude to all who see me.

Modest Dressing and Headcovering Thoughts

I have been praying about wearing a headcovering. In the Bible, Paul is speaking to the church in Corinth to set away the doings of the world and be set apart. 1Cor. 11: 3-16 is clear about prayer and head covering:


3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man,[a] and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

7 A man ought not to cover his head,[b] since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own[c] head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.

I wore a bandanna all last weekend, although I haven’t worn it to work. I did order a couple of headcoverings and am waiting for them to arrive. I believe I will begin wearing them to work. They are a softer material than the bandannas I currently have at home. Of course, I will wear the bandannas as well for variety. I am convicted to wearing a headcovering at all times. As I grow in my faith and try to obey the scriptures in “praying unceasingly” this seems to be a natural progression.

My other prayer has been with a concern of modest dressing. Most of my clothing I would consider as modest. However, the more I read about Christian modesty, the more I am inclined to wearing skirts and dresses. Tight shirts and jeans accentuate a person’s curves. Is it right to flaunt your form in public; is that being a modest Christian woman? Modest doesn’t have to be frumpy. Of course, I feel frumpy while I am overweight. Gee, another reason to continue exercising :-)

I am at peace with my decision to wear a headcovering.  I am still waiting about the modest dress issues.