Cover it up, girls ...

I've been meaning to post about this for a while, but I never seem to get around to it. After all, its actually kind of embarrassing. But God uses all kinds of stuff to bring home His truth, eh.

If you're an evangelical, or close to evangelicals, then you know that one of the hottest topics of debate around is the issue of dress. Not just anybody's dress; FEMALE dress. Whoo boy; the amount ah bacchanal that does cause in church is no joke, nuh. People does get asked to leave the front row, given sheets to wrap around themselves ... let we say that it not pretty sometimes.

Now as a girl growing up in evangelical Christendom, you are VERY aware of all the unspoken rules and regulations. And if you aren't, the second you step out of line, you get a 'gentle' reminder. As a Christian, I believe that we Christian women shouldn't dress like dance hall queens. However, I did try to push the envelope while growing up, as my ever-vigilant father will tell you freely. My friends and I would say stuff like, "Well the guys need to pray more, cause even if we wearing something revealing, they have to take responsibility for their own eyes." Stellar logic, I know. I went on to read more about causing your brother to sin and also to understand more about the male psyche (X RAY VISION, OK!) and so, I reluctantly, resentfully tried to tone it down. In front of my mother. UWI was a whole 'nother story.

However, I was seriously convicted about this issue nearly a year ago. How did it happen? A fiery sermon? A heart to heart with a counselor? Lix? No. I felt convicted because I had a conversation with a devoted Muslim woman about wearing the hijab.

It was someone I'd gone to school with; at that time she didn't wear the hijab. But she popped up on FB when I joined, and I noticed it. And went, "Hmmmm." Had the opportunity to interview her about it, cause everyone is always curious about what would make you voluntarily wear yards of cloth around your head and neck in Trinidad weather. And this pleasant, sweet person told me honestly about what she believed; that her unclothed body is for her husband's benefit alone. Allah said it, she believes it. Everybody else can suck it. Of course I am paraphrasing. But her CONVICTION is what stuck with me, despite the fact that it wasn't a popular decision, even among some members of her own family. She believed that, and she was rocking her hijab, with cute little fringes, and sparkly crystals and embroidery. Seriously, some of the hijabs I've seen recently making me want to start wearing them.

So I went home and spent some quiet time thinking about what I believed. Did I really care enough about my male brethren who, no matter what I say, will be drawn by revealing or tight clothing that I wear? Do I really care about younger Christian girls who are looking at me for what to do, how to act and how to dress? And lastly, what is my purpose for wearing deliberately revealing clothes? Is it to glorify my God, or glorify my nice shape? Hard question to ask myself, but the Holy Spirit and I worked it out.

I have toned down the way that I dress since then. Looking for looser tops, better underwear and shape wear, opting these days for skirts and tunic tops with tights rather than hipsters. And modesty was one of the major considerations when I chose a wedding gown. I've seen people look modest in strapless gowns, but I'm a little more blessed in certain areas so it woulda turn out like a peep show basically. I loved my little bolero top cause it completed my vintage look, and made me feel comfortable at the center of attention all day without worrying about what body part would make a guest appearance and when. But at the end of the day, what I do AND what I wear has to reflect who my Daddy is. And if God was your Father, I don't think He might take too kindly to you leaving the house in that crop top, Missy. But He wouldn't force you; He'll probably point it out to you just as quietly as He did to me.