“We women must realize how visual men are, and because of that we should wear modest clothes. Not because we don’t have the right to wear what we want, but for the benefit of the spiritual life of our brothers in Christ”
~Heather Arne Paulsen Emotional Purity:An Affair of the Heart
So many times when I am on the football field, or even sometimes at church I find myself saying, “I can not believe she is wearing that and my husband can see her.” Did she not look in the mirror before she left for the day? As a wife I don’t like to be in that situation.
As a woman sometimes I can understand because while growing up I struggled in this area. I wanted to dress pretty and be noticed. I believe it is a form or insecurity in many women. It comes from the days of being a little girl in a dress and twirling around saying, “look at me Daddy.” As girls we receive compliments by the pretty dresses, and pretty appearance we display.
When I read the book, “Do You Think I am Beautiful” by Angela Thomas, it was not just the women who consider themselves plain that suffered with the self image problem, it was knock-out, drop dead pretty women. We all want to be noticed. Some are noticed by a special skill or talent, or ability. And some are noticed by how they make themselves look towards others.
Now I have a teenage son, I am seeing things differently. I cringe when I see a lady in a tank top that does not cover her stomach, or someone wearing something low cut that does not leave much to the imagination. This not only can cause a young man to trip up spiritually but it also can cause a grown man who is secure in his marriage to view his wife differently. “Why don’t you wear things like that?” “Oh you would look good in that.” Are comments a wife can hear, and even if said in innocence it makes her feel she does not measure up. There needs to be a balance of being stylish and feeling good about how you look and being modest around others. Your modest clothes are not just to be worn to church (even that is becoming a problem), but at all times. Football games, grocery stores, shopping, etc.
I am shopping for a dress to attend a wedding, and for a Christmas dress. I have to say I am struggling to find something that is not all bare on top. It is becoming more difficult but there are places that cater to modest, stylish clothing. As women we need to make sure we support them with our money, and make it known we will not put up with many of the styles that are out there now.