Be Sure to Wear Your Little Black Dress

I was amused when my daughter told me she was invited to a dinner with several women and the tagline was: "Be sure to wear your little black dress." Staci said, "I don't have a little black dress but I'll make it happen!" And, she did!

I remember last year when my granddaughter was trying to decide what to wear for her Junior Prom and she just wasn't "feeling it" with the semi-formals other girls were wearing so she chose a "little black dress" (pictured here). I loved the look and she owned it.

The fact is, we usually clothe ourselves according to the occasion. A t-shirt and shorts may mean a comfortable afternoon at home. A sportscoat and tie for guys and a silky chiffon dress for gals might mean a special night out. An athletic shirt and tights might mean we're headed to the gym. That's what I had on yesterday when I was headed to my daughter's after she called to ask me to come over and see their new "Cinderella" room (that's a blog topic for another day).

In Colossians 3:12, God’s people are encouraged to clothe themselves with five attributes of Christ. Not just for a special occasion, but for every occasion of every day. So when we're asked to "come as you are" or "wear your little black dress or suit" -- we can wear these clothes described in this scripture that really matter regardless how we're stylin' or what "threads" we have on:

~ Clothe yourselves with compassion. Compassion is a way of living that reaches others with the hands and feet of Christ in very practical and loving ways. I love that in my work at the hospital or consoling ministry.

~ Clothe yourselves with kindness. Kindness can be an encouraging word to a friend or a gesture that says, "I see you. You matter.” Kindness is a way of living that finds such great pleasure in making others feel cared about.

~ Clothe yourselves with humility. Humility is the epitome of selflessness. It's a way of living that looks to others first because they genuinely care.

~ Clothe yourselves with gentleness. Gentleness is a way of living that expresses quiet, peaceful and calmness in our approach with others.

~ Clothe yourselves with patience. Patience a calm, peaceful endurance. It is a way of living that accepts God's timing as perfect timing, trusting Him Who holds all things in His hands.

Just a little reminder today that when we go to our clothes closet to choose that "perfect" outfit for the occasion, let's remember to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience each and every day, then we'll always be dressed for success and blessed for being the best!

Jesus Loves Me – This I Know!

Life happens. You hit and fractured your toes when you ran into the end of the door and have to go to the ER. You were attacked by woman-sucking mosquitoes and now you must carry an anti-itch “After Bite” oil for relief. You have to call an Exterminator to get rid of the pests. A pre-cancerous area on your leg has to be removed by the dermatologist. Your garage door didn’t close because it came off the chain. You thought it closed behind you, but didn't. Your neighbor tried to close it for you and your home alarm goes off and you don’t get the call from the alarm service so the police are summoned. You lose your key fob and have to replace it. You forget the tickets you printed out to a very important event. A crazy looking bump shows up on your foot and a big red blotch shows up on your leg. Your washing machine is making squealing noises. All of that happened within a week.to ME!

But…..Jesus loves me – this I KNOW! God is always there to tap me on the shoulder and give me His gentle reminder, deep within my soul, in spite of my "issues". "Jesus Loves Me” -- that simple little song that I learned many years ago in Sunday School is so very simple, yet so powerfully profound. That one statement grounds me in the truth of who God says I am and the best news is it’s not based on how well I perform or what I look like or what concerns me. The Awesome Creator of heaven and earth AND me, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Great “I Am” loves ME!

No question -- we really won’t feel accepted all the time. “Likes and Loves” on our Facebook or Instagram page will never truly make us feel secure. Life is full of surprises -- good and not so good. Life happens and "issues" occur. Having lots of friends and family around us doesn’t mean that we won’t sometimes feel lonely. And chocolate ice cream, as much as I love it, doesn’t satisfy the longings of my soul. There is no person, no diploma or award, or pats on the back that can fix us from the outside when we need to be rewired with fully knowing and embracing….Jesus loves me this I know. Only God can do that.

When my world gets topsy turvy and it seems I’m in the spin cycle of my dryer (which is over 25 years old and I pray it keeps spinning a while longer), I turn to the ONE sure constant that is never questionable. He is my Everlasting, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel — God with us. I draw close to Him so He can separate His solid truth from the shifting emotions and concerns that face me daily.

When life happens, I can choose to let it overwhelm me and perplex me, or I can recall that sweet song once again – “Jesus loves me, this I know”. We are so dearly loved by God. His love causes us to release our woes and cares to Him, and in turn display compassion, kindness and patience even when we don’t feel like it, to someone else. Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”. When we do that, then the Jesus in us will cause others to start to sing “Jesus loves me this I know.”

Jesus really does love us. The Bible tells us so. Little (and big) ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.

“The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3

Got Your Clothes On Yet?

Now that's a loaded question. The answer could be "yes", even if you've got your jammies on, your swimsuit on or a 3-piece suit on.

The fact is, we usually clothe ourselves according to the occasion.

A t-shirt and shorts may mean a comfortable afternoon at home. A silky chiffon dress might mean a special night out. An athletic shirt and tights might mean you're headed to the gym.

In Colossians 3:12, God’s people are encouraged to clothe themselves with five distinct attributes of Christ. Not for a special occasion, but for every day. So when we're asked "Got your clothes on yet?" -- these are the clothes that really matter regardless how we're stylin' or what "threads" we have on:

~ Clothes yourselves with compassion. Compassion is a way of living that reaches others with the hands and feet of Christ in very practical and loving ways.

~ Clothes yourselves with kindness. Kindness can be an encouraging word to a friend or a gesture that says, "I see you. You matter.” Kindness is a way of living that finds such great pleasure in making others feel cared about.

~ Clothes yourselves with humility. Humility is the epitome of selflessness. It's a way of living that looks to others first, because they genuinely care.

~ Clothes yourselves with gentleness. Gentleness is a way of living that expresses quiet, peaceful and calmness in our approach with others.

~ Clothes yourselves with patience. Patience a calm, peaceful endurance. It is a way of living that accepts God's timing as perfect timing, trusting Him Who holds all things in His hands.

As God’s dearly loved children, that before we put on our daily clothing attire, may we clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience . . . each and every day, then we'll answer that question, "I've got my best outfit on today!"