Today I want to add a bit more to the modesty chronicles! Titus, chapter 2 gives us much to think about and is really a key passage for Christian behavior. Starting at verse 3 and reading through verse 5 we see, "the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things--that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their chidlren, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
This passage indicates a type of behavior expected out of mature Christian women. Again, let me go "back in the day...." At one time (when I was a young girl--a long, long time ago) you could pretty much count on older women to behave discreetly, Christian or not. The society itself was still steeped in enough Christian morals that people behaved with a sense of propriety whether they were committed to the Lord or not, for the most part. Just a few days ago I was walking down a crowded thoroughfare and behind me were two mature ladies, probably in their mid to late 60's. The subject of their conversation was shocking, lewd, and very inappropriate to what you would expect out of the grandmotherly types. Granted they were obviously not Christians, but on the other hand, shouldn't someone old enough to be a grandparent have learned discreet behavior by then? It was kind of shocking. It just goes to show how far we've slipped as a society. We used to be able to count on the older folks to sort of "rein in" the younger ones (isn't that what verse 3 indicates?).
I said all that to say this: I think that modesty goes much deeper than the way you dress. It encompasses the way you act, the motives of your heart, your speech, and your overall demeanor. A woman can be perfectly covered in body and still signal immodest behavior by the way she gazes at men or the way she uses her body language or her speech.
Another question to ask yourself in the modesty department is, "what am I communicating by the way I dress?" This is a really good measuring stick to go by when selecting outfits. Even beyond the issue of modesty, it's simply a fact that dress can communicate a number of things. For instance, there are certain types of clothing that say, "professional." Other outfits say, "casual," still others, "formal." Clothing speaks. Think of your clothing as having a voice. It can speak louder than your actual words at times.
Let's be truthful. It's really unusual today to see a young girl in a dress that is modestly long and completely covers her body. I saw a girl not long ago in a restaurant and she was dressed very casually, yet was wearing a skirt. Her outfit was casual because though she wore a skirt she had canvas type shoes. She was the picture of wholesomeness. Her clothes were well tailored, attractive, and modest. She stood out like a sore thumb, no kidding! Modesty is just that rare when it should be the norm!
Modesty tip: I've recently discovered the wonderful versatility of shawls! I even wear them with jeans! I sometimes sling them over one shoulder and pin them with a decorative pin at the waist. They can be worn wrapped around your waist and allowed to cover your hips with either a skirt or jeans, forming a kind of "skirt" over jeans. I have begun to collect them in a variety of different colors. I sometimes wear them in the winter under jackets. They add extra covering to the bodice area and look "chic." You can crisscross them over your shoulder and around the neck, pin at the shoulder and completely cover a low or gaping neckline allowing you to use an otherwise unusable blouse. Look for them in a variety of shapes, textures, and colors. I even take long rectangles of fabric and sew a few hems, a little lace and voila! I've made my own shawl!
More thoughts on modesty coming in the next few posts as well as the 2010 Lori Zehr "Fair Report"--hopefully with pictures! Blessings, LORI
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