Clothing at one time was one of my fondest treasures and a way to tell if I kept in step with the rest of my gender. I was a true clothes horse. The major focus of my childhood Easter Sundays was my outfit. For church, a new dress, hat, with accompanying gloves were topped off with matching purse and shoes.
A change occurred during high school with more emphasis on being in style with the latest fads to maintain my social standing, such as it was. Maybe I could be accepted into the popular kids group, if my clothes said I belonged there.
This approach was challenged in my senior year when my grandmother moved away and couldn’t be with me to provide her generous closet contributions. Instead, she gave me a checking account to cover whatever needs I had. My immature, materialistic attitude went overboard. I became my small town’s fashionista, at least for a short period.
When my checking account became depleted, reality hit and stopped my closet’s engorgement. The good times had come to a screeching halt as well as my dreams of capturing the social scene.
Two important lessons emerged from this experience: clothes alone do not make one popular, and money given for needs should be spent that way.
I’ve found that maturity brings out a contentment with what the Lord provides. My sweet grandmother’s fashion contributions are only treasured memories. Now, thrift stores provide for my clothing needs without any shame over unfashionable labels. In fact, nothing excites me more than discovering a good deal there and even that infrequently.
My goal these days is comfort. My favorite blue jeans are sloppy and worn along with my favorite shirt featuring small blue flowers and a frayed denim collar. It is almost a uniform considering how often I wear it around the condo.
If I’m clean, decently dressed and look faintly feminine, my clothes suit me. No longer will I worry over the coverings for my body. This former clothes horse has decided to settle down in the Okay-With-What-I-Have-Corral.
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. Matthew 6:28-29 NLT”
Dianna
Sharing the Fruit of Maturity
