Threads, Kicks and Frosting ~ Modesty is the best policy

I love fashion. I love checking out new styles, I love shopping and I’m pretty sure there is going to be an enormous TJ Maxx in heaven.  But I think a false misconception is that you have to dress like a frumpy, old woman in order to be modest.

I disagree. Now. I am not trying to open the can of worms that is the modesty issue. There are 2 different soap boxes that come with that.

1. A girl’s body is a girl’s body. It’s not her fault men are pigs and can’t control their thoughts.

2. A girl needs to wear a turtleneck and long baggy pants every day of every year and it is completely her responsibility to keep men from having dirty thoughts.

I’m gonna get all up on all ya’ll’s soapboxes for a minute.

Both of those attitudes are wrong.

Thinking that my actions only affect me is the problem with so many aspects of the world today. No one wants to take responsibility for any of their actions or any of their decisions. Your actions can affect other people. You can be (partially) responsible for the actions of the people around you.

Thinking that I am completely responsible for other people’s actions is another problem. Regardless of what a girl is wearing, guys still have a choice with what they will do with their eyes, and they still have a choice with what they do with their thoughts.

When you have an attitude that is thinking of others as better than yourself, or that is wanting to be above board and above reproach, when you have a heart’s desire to please God with what you do? You will have no problem changing your clothing or changing your attitude.

The reason I hate both sides of this argument is because in both cases, people are putting themselves higher than they should.

What kind of a person blames every girl out there for every poor decision a man has ever made, attack the girls dressing that way, and any other person in their way? A prideful person. A person who wants what they want regardless of how it affects other people. (sometimes, even convincing themselves that they are attacking for good reason because they are just trying to help their husband or other men!)

On the other hand, what kind of a person hears someone say that the reason their husband is struggling with lust is because of the way they are dressing and instantly start going on a rampage agains men, the person suggesting a change, and any other person in their way? A prideful person. A person who wants what they want regardless of how it affects other people.

Only by pride comes contention. Period. 

Try thinking about what the opposite reaction might look like. What if every girl stopped themselves before they left the house, took 2 extra minutes to examine what they were wearing, and maybe even asked their dad or husband if what they were wearing was ok? What if every girl stopped themselves before they started judging every other girl out there and instead prayed that their husbands, or sons would remain pure in their thoughts and actions?

A little different, huh?

In light of my love for style, here are a few tips that will show you how you can still dress in style without being inappropriate.

1. If you wear leggings, always have something covering your butt. There’s really no need for the world to see London and France. If you want to wear a shorter skirt that is hard to stay modest in? Wear leggings underneath.
You can still be stylish and be modest.

2. Never wear nude colored leggings. Ever. I mean for real now. Ain’t nobody got the stomach for that.
(don’t worry, there is no picture demonstrating this one!)

3. Wear a tank top under your shirts.

 I wear a tank top under every single shirt I ever wear. It helps when your shirt is low cut, and it also helps when your shirt comes up in the back. We have all had the unfortunate experience of having someone bend over in front of us only to find out…ahem…they weren’t wearing a tank top. And unfortunately, London and France weren’t even around! I think you get my drift. Do everyone around you a favor and wear a tank.

Don’t forget. You can still be stylish and modest.

I just saw this quote that I liked…Instead of thinking if ya got it, flaunt it. Think: if ya got it, protect it.
Word.

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www.rachellechaseblog.com

That little part that whispers...

When you have been hurt by people, there is going to be a little part of you that always wonders. Always questions. Always doubts.

There is always that little part that whispers... She is probably talking bad about me. or, she will end up stabbing me in the back, Or, She will be one more person who walks out of my life with no remorse, leaving me wondering if we were ever really friends at all. When things like that happen, I find myself trying as hard as I can to remember what I ever opened up about to her and wondering if she will use it against me. Then I find myself shielding myself. Holding back. Not really ever opening up to the next person because of the fear that it will happen again.

And it's not like it happened once. Not even twice or three times. When it starts happening over and over? You start to think it's you. You start to think there is something wrong with you. And then I question. Is it wrong to not trust people? Is it a sin? Am I doing something wrong because I say that I don't need anyone else. Just my family is fine, thank-you-very-much.

But then God. God does things and gives you gifts and allows you to trust a little bit here and a little bit there. He puts people in your life that you are convinced you don't need, because you are fine. Just perfectly fine. And you tell yourself you aren't going to let yourself get hurt again. You aren't going to let yourself end up questioning everything your life is all about just because of one person. You can't and you won't. And God just quietly throws people at you. Sometimes it feels like it's literally that way. He throws people into your life that remind you of something.

Just because some people hurt you, doesn't mean all people hurt you.

And this simple little sentence has been constantly brought back to mind time and time again over the past few years.

Just because some people hurt you, doesn't mean all people hurt you. I know I just said it, but it bears repeating, because with each new person that comes into my life, with each new opportunity to open up a little bit more, come those doubts. Those fears. That whisper of lies that this girl will be no different than the last...even if she swears she won't be.
And sometimes? The face of the past hurts shows itself on the face of the new potential friend. And that is just ugly. And not in the least bit fair. Being afraid of trusting someone doesn't feel good. I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt. I prefer to assume the good in people. And in reality? What does it really hurt? My feelings? My emotions? I choose to let it make me stronger. I choose to find peace in the fact that Jesus directs my steps. He doesn't allow anything into my life that can't be used for good.

So many times, over and over I have tried to tell God that I don't need anyone else. I am just fine. Perfectly fine. But then God. God knows me better than I know myself, and He gives me gifts of friends I was convinced I didn't need.

So thank you. Thank you to those girls in my life who I can't even imagine living without. I would have missed out on so many laughs. So many prayers. So many encouraging, uplifting, incredible people if I had let the past control my future. I can take what happened to me in the past, and use it to make me feel even more strongly about being a loyal friend.

The way God gives gifts...it kind of blows me away. Being hurt by a person here, and a person there - it stings. But when you just trust God, just let him work...He gives you blessings a million times over. *Shout out to all my homegirls. You know who you are. You all have made my life better than I thought it ever could be.
And today... I walked around and saw the beautiful reminder of an incredible creator who made this beautiful earth. This God who is my Father, and puts so much thought into the colors of the world, but He puts even more thought into me.  

Threads, Kicks and Frosting ~ And an awesome giveaway!

*I am posting here, because my wordpress site is giving my NOTHING but problems! Hopefully they will fix things and I can get back to my usual posting.*

I love accessorizing. The more jewelry, the bigger the rings, the brighter the bracelets the better!
Last month when I was at the Pursuit 31 Conference, I had the chance to meet this amazing girl Lizzie.  She is the founder and CEO of Market Colors.
Please take a minute to go here to their website and check out what they are doing. It is an awesome organization and you are going to be moved when you watch the video on the home page! I bought the  beautiful Indigo Quinn bracelet/necklace, and I absolutely love it.   It is awesome to have a bright blue necklace that will add a pop of color to any outfit, but it also makes an adorable wrap bracelet as well.  I love it so much that I decided to give one away!  All you have to do is enter below! Also be sure to check out all the other great items Market Colors has for sale! Support a great cause! a Rafflecopter giveaway