Clothes Make the (Wo)man - Encouragement Café - May 19, 2015
Clothes Make the (Wo)man
Café Menu for Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Today’s Special is: How to Dress For Real Success
Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Angela Moran
Main Ingredient:
Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Entrée:
After a long day of being a wife, mother, and friend, there’s just something wonderful about putting on a pair of nice comfy PJ’s. Somehow I just feel less stressed, more relaxed, and able to unwind.
Honestly, some days I stay in my PJ’s all day long. Those are the days that my kids like to call “chill days,” where we just hang out, play games, and spend time together. It’s a nice change of pace in our overly busy, scheduled hectic lives.
It’s funny how what we are wearing can totally change our mood and outlook on the day. I’m not sure about you, but I’m not a fan of choosing what to wear. I have friends who plan out outfits days in advance and some who shop for the perfect accessory to make their outfits “complete.”
Me? I like to wear what I call “uniforms” – outfits that are comfortable and I know look good together. I don’t have to think; I just put on my clothes, and I am ready for the day. Sometimes, I deviate from my “uniforms,” and I just don’t feel like I’m at my very best.
Although, it’s not really fair to blame it on my clothing. It’s usually my attitude – the words I use, the facial expressions I make, or the deep breaths I take a bit too loudly so someone will notice my dissatisfaction. Many days I find myself being harsh, mean, prideful, rough-around-the-edges, and impatient – when it’s all because I’ve been walking around inappropriately dressed, spiritually speaking.
In Colossians 3:17, it says
Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
When we get dressed in the morning, we have a choice about what we wear. Clothing our spiritual bodies is equally important.
I’m wondering, if we spent time each morning thinking about spiritually clothing ourselves, how our days would change.
What if today we intentionally take some time to put on the garment of compassion for our children, kindness for a stranger, humility in admitting we aren’t perfect, gentleness when chatting with a friend suffering a loss, and patience in the midst of highway traffic?
I think we’d handle life a bit more appropriately, and we’d feel a lot more comfortable, like a nice warm pair of flannel PJ’s - peaceful and relaxing.
Take Out:
When is the last time you thought about dressing yourself – spiritually? Have you been walking around dressed inappropriately?
I know I have. Take some time today and clothe yourself.
What’s hanging in your spiritual closet that you haven’t worn in a while? Kindness? Compassion? Patience?
Try it on. I bet it looks good on you.
Dessert:
Dear Jesus, I thank You that in Your Word it says You have “dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:10) May we be overwhelmed with joy in you Lord! Be with us today as we choose to clothe ourselves in the garments of Your Spirit – showing compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience to ourselves and others. Thank You for loving us so completely. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.
© 2015 by Angela Moran. All rights reserved.
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