Modesty reaps what your cleavage won't!

I woke up this morning with some thoughts and images in my mind that had caused my heart to cringe yesterday.  In fact, I may even offend some of my friends and family with what I'm going to say.   After having been out shopping with my husband yesterday, I felt a deep calling to write about

it...but, in my heart I knew it would be risky and the possibility of losing some people in my life kept me from being obedient to my Lord.  Lord forgive me for not putting Your call into action immediately.

I feel I need to share a bit from my past so that I am transparent here and so those who have a time frame ready in their mind regarding it, won't need to comment.

Not just a year ago, I too wore clothes that revealed cleavage and made sure that I wore the "perfect" bra so that they were presented well.  And even before then, I made choices in my life that I know did not win people to Christ.  In fact, I'm sure I kept some from even seeing Him in my life!  My tongue was untamed and I was more focused on what my family's wants were, rather than our needs. 

It's sad.  I am ashamed of it.  But, I am not that person anymore.  I am thankful for where I am in my walk with Jesus.  The closer I get to Him, the more clearly I see.  I don't see/view life and other people the way I used to.  It's quite refreshing and there is much freedom within it.  

Though through this view, seeing differently can also bring sadness and then the Mama/Wife Bear wants to be unleashed.

Due to my health lately, I've been pretty much homebound.  Until God gave me a huge blessing yesterday.  I was without pain!!  So I decided to enjoy it the day to the fullest!!

As I was getting ready for my evening, my focus was honestly, I want to look classy sexy for my hubby!  I did my hair and makeup, wore my favorite jeans and a sweater from my daughters closet.  My jeans weren't "painted on", and my sweater did not reveal any cleavage.

So my hubby and I are doing our shopping...and everywhere we looked, cleavage grew more to "lets just cover the nipples" & shorts shrunk to "lets just let it all hang out!"

As a wife, I am upset with these women/girls.  As a mother, I am ashamed of them.  There were a few times that I actually had to hold my tongue because I wanted to ask each one of them what they had hoped to accomplish/gain while dressing so trampy!  Those thoughts quickly left and were replaced with, "prayer".  Prayers for protection of these ladies; prayers of salvation and placing people in their lives that could mentor them; self respect, self worth etc.

Though my thoughts and heart don't stop there.

The more exposed women we saw, the more I began to pray for my husband, our married friends, my son, daughter and the sons & daughters of our friends and family.

The Bible says we are not to say or do anything that would cause our fellow brother to stumble.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. (Romans 14:13 KJV)

For our husbands, I pray that they rely on God.  I pray that they walk upright in honoring themselves, their wives and daughters by not looking and falling into temptation.  For our men to be men of their word.  For them to be a godly example.  One that respects themselves and has the desire to keep their mind, heart and marriage beds pure.

For our sons...I pray that they too will follow righteousness.  I pray that they will desire a woman that loves God and has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the beautiful in heart, classy in taste, one who dresses & believes in modesty, so that they can keep what God intended to be sacred, scared.

For our daughters, I pray that they will know the difference between lust and love.  I pray that they draw closer to Christ.  That they recognize that modesty is true beauty.  It says I respect myself, my fellow brothers in Christ and mankind.  It says, you can trust me, I am real.

For the women who continue to reveal the temptation for men, I pray they recognize that men don't look at them with respect, therefore they won't be treated as such.  I pray they learn to respect and love themselves enough to cover up.

If we could only see how truly beautiful God intended for our sexual intimacy was meant to be with our husband, our marriages would be even more incredible.  Women, we are to save and only share ourselves with our husband. Save those sexy revealing clothes for your behind the closed doors time.  Enjoy the covering up in public!  Men enjoy using their imaginations. 

From Mama's point of view, you may be the sweetest and most kind and wonderful young lady at heart...but, dressed like that, I will not allow you to date my son, be in my home let alone a family function.  I am raising my son to honor, cherish and respect women. If you dress like that, your children (my grandchildren) will learn to follow your lack of modesty.  I refuse to allow him to fall into the mind set of this world!  Therefore, I pray that God would help my son to recognize that true beauty comes from God and that the closer he walks with Christ, he will be blessed in knowing that a real woman will save "all of herself" for him and him alone.

From the point of view as a wife to "The Love of My Life."  Ladies, shame on you!  Put yourself in our shoes! Do you want your husband/man checking another woman out?!  Do you want him to be tempted to be unfaithful, have thoughts that are impure and then want to go home and while having sex with you, the vision he sees is not you but the woman he was drooling over not just an hour before he arrived home & one day possibly succumb to such lusts?!  

We all have temptations in life.  Ladies, I urge you and pray that you will love & respect yourself.  Instead of conveying, "look at me and what I have to offer", live by the values, ideals, morals and beliefs that bring true love, joy, trust and peace. 

I have recently learned there is an unfortunate amount of the "lack of respect" towards our girlfriends, sisters etc...there is no greater disrespect than having your friends over and they are dressed as if they are clubbing or working a corner somewhere and my husband and children are home!  

Transparently speaking, if you have not been invited back to my home, this writing explains why.

If you don't respect yourself, have respect for your girlfriends, sisters and fellow men who are doing their best to stay pure and honor their wives!

I love the man God has given me. We love our son & daughter very much too!

In our home and in our lives, we have values and beliefs that make us better.  We thrive together through prayer and God's love.  We will continue to do our best to keep one another on the narrow path that stands upright for the cause of Christ.