Analogy for the Fashion Conscious

Sabrins O'Malone There's a trend in today's society. Often it seems like there's nothing that can be said or done about it that hasn't been said or done before. Well, Working Mom has something new to say, and we say it best in analogies or parables...

A scrawny boy who nobody paid much attention to grew up. As a teenager, his muscles developed; he grew bigger and stronger than the other boys. He became a real dynamo on the football field. In fact, when he walked down the hall, he went straight through the crowd...if someone got in his way, he knocked them over... after all; he had the power to do it.

A scrawny girl who nobody paid much attention to grew up. As a teenager, her body developed; she had a figure most girls didn't. She became a real head-turner. In fact, when she walked down the hall wearing something that showed off her curves, anyone with two eyes would stop and take a second look...after all; she had the power to make them.

USE OF HIS POWER

In church on Sunday, while standing in the line for a fellowship meal, would it be appropriate for the boy to push a 90-year-old lady out of the way - so he could eat first? After all, he's got a stronger need for food since he's still growing. And if something rings true in the adage "might makes right" then he's got the right; because he's got the might.

Um...no. Of course not. That kind of reasoning simply doesn't hold water. It's clearly an abuse of the boy's God-given physical power. It's bad enough when he pushes people around in school, but it's even worse when he does it in church to a 90 year old lady! Ultimately, his choice to satisfy his own needs at someone else's expense will cost him something...respect. (Not to mention assault and battery is against the law of the land - as well as the laws of God.)

USE OF HER POWER

In church on Sunday while standing in the line for a fellowship meal would it be appropriate for the girl to wear something intended to "turn heads?" Arguably, she's got a stronger need for "appreciative glances" since she never had them before. And if something rings true in the adage "If you've got it; flaunt it!" then she's got it; so it's hers to flaunt.

Um...no. Of course not. That kind of reasoning doesn't hold water either. It's an abuse of her God-given physical power. It's bad enough when she dresses to "turn heads" at school, but its even worse when she does it in church to people who came to worship God. Ultimately, her choice to satisfy her own needs at someone else's expense will cost her something. Respect. (Not to mention lewdness is against the law of the land and the laws of God.) She'll pay the price for "turning those heads" the minute her back is turned.

SAYS WHO?

You seldom hear admonitions to dress modestly from someone who actually could flaunt it...but chooses not to. If I had a mind to talk about myself, I could probably do it without looking too ridiculous, but I'll spare you. I don't want you imagining me as anything other than the ordinary working mom I am. But I will tell you the reasons I've found to NOT to reveal too much in my clothing choices:

REASON #1

1. Habitually dressing "sexy" magnifies a very telling insecurity. It's begging for an answer to these questions:

"Am I worth looking at?"
"Do you like me?"
"Do you REALLY, REALLY like me?"

Most of us have enough self-control not to ask questions like that to perfect strangers, (no matter how much we might want the answer.) But dressing sexy begs the question-without words. It reveals more than skin and curves, it reveals a pitiful insecurity.

REASON #2

2. Dressing without modesty also shows a lack of concern for others. For example, if you had a friend who was on a low-carb diet, would you deliberately put donuts right in front of them? A nice person wouldn't say, "Hey, if you can't control your appetite, I'm not going to restrict myself!"

Likewise, men at work and men in church are on a "low-lust" diet. A nice person wouldn't deliberately fan the flames of desire by wearing provocative clothing. "Hey, if he can't control his thoughts, I'm not going to restrict myself."

It's self-centered,
Shows no concern for the welfare of others,
And seeks to take attention away from getting the job done at work, or the worship of God at church.

It diverts attention to something else...anything else...even a woman's body. Now who do you really think inspires that? Who do you think wants to see it happen at church on Sunday, or in the middle of an important assignment at work? It's like giving the enemy of God a toe-hold.

REASON #3

3. No one looks at a man who beats up on his wife and kids and thinks "Now that took courage, he's a strong, brave guy!" Beating up on women and kids doesn't take any courage at all. It proves just the opposite. It proves he doesn't have any or he'd pick on someone his own size.

Likewise, it doesn't prove a woman's beauty when she dresses in tight or revealing clothes. If she were beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside, she wouldn't need to show so much of her "stuff" with the hopes of being noticed. In both those scenarios, it makes their insecurity and weakness all the more obvious...

Hopefully this provides new insight to an old dilemma. These are my thoughts, and you can quote me, Sabrina O'Malone. Feel free to send this to people you think might have something to say about it. (We love to hear everyone's point of view.)

-Sabrina O'Malone

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