Wanna Be a Steader!

Socially Retarded...By God's Grace!

 1 Peter 4:4-5 - "They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.  But they will have to give account to Him Who is ready to judge the living and the dead."

1 Sam. 16:7 - "...The  Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

WHAT in the world is going on in the clothing industry lately?!  I have 2 daughters (one 20 and one nearly 17) and we can hardly find anything suitable for them to wear...thank the Lord for Eddie Bauer and L. L. Bean or they wouldn't have a modest yet fashionable pair of jeans to put on.

On any given day, a trip to the mall, a view of the TV screen or a gander at a magazine cover in the checkout line can be an eye-opening experience.  What's a Christian parent raising Christian teens and young women to dress modestly to do?  Even well-meaning gift-giving relatives have bought into the world's corrupt ideas of "fashion" when it come to birthday and Christmas presents.

I'm very bold when it comes to protecting my family and I am NOT above returning a gift or tactfully declining to accept one.  Of course, we get met with those questioning looks, but I will NOT allow my girls to dress like prostitutes, nor will I allow anyone else to influence them to do so.

I know that I'm not the only one who feels this way...but why does it seem that no one else is letting the store managers know?  Whenever I can't find anything suitably modest enough to buy, or see something that anyone should be able to SEE is unsuitable for a teen, I often (much to my teen daughters' chagrin ) summon the store or department manager and let them know that they are losing a HUGE market.  "Not everyone wants to dress their daughters like street walkers."

Most of the time, I get that "well there's nothing I can do about it" answer, to which I reply, "You can tell your buyers."  (I didn't spend 8 years in retail for nothin'!)  There must be others out there getting up the guts to say something about it besides me, because I just read an article saying that "Skin if Out!" for the next fashion season.  Of course, they made it a point to say that it had nothing to do with the "Christian Right"...which makes me say a big "hmmmmmmmmmmmm...Me thinks thou protests too much!"

Yes, my girls are socially retared...BY GOD'S GRACE!  My daughters have been raised in a loving Christian home with parents who care enough to say "no" when it's necessary.  Parents who have guided them to find "...whatever is true...noble...right...pure...lovely...admirable...excellent or praiseworthy..."  (Phil. 4:8).  We have prepared them for how hard it can be to stand up and say, "The emperor has no clothes!"  (We didn't realize that it would be LITERAL!)  We have reminded them of the many Bible figures who stood alone for the sake of the Lord and His mighty cause.  I have reminded them of Elijah and how he thought for sure he was the ONLY righteous man left, but the Lord told him that there were 7,000 who had not bowed their knees to Baal.  No matter what the world says, we are NOT alone! 

I have reminded them of how young David was chosen by God to be king.  Even when his tall, handsome, muscular brothers were paraded about, God told the prophet "no" until the sweet little shepherd who had a way with a harp and a sling-shot stepped forward.  Even his own dad couldn't believe it!  But God looks at the HEART.  NOT a fashion statement. 

Our family might be "socially retarded" as the world sees us...but who has the better reward for how we will live our lives?  Not by works, but by the faith we have in Christ and the obedience that faith causes us to walk in.  I'm hoping that after our initial shock and disgust at seeing how so many girls have been sucked in by the world's lies, that we will remember to pray for them.  They were also created in God's image and we must remember..."There but for the grace of God, go I." 

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

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11:21, 2008-Jan-31 .. Posted by OklahomaSweetPea06

I know what you are saying, when I worked as a head cashier at a western store, we got bombarded with clothes that were very distasteful, then it happend to be that my manager, and the buyer were there and asked for me and another young gals opinion(mind you I was in my very early 20's) They asked if I would ever buy things like this(some very racy western tops) and I said not unless I wanted to be labeled a S**T, I think my choice in words shocked my manager but it was the truth and the buyer actually thanked me for my honesty(this was a guy probably not much older than I), I even said look I go out dancing, believe me there needs to be no more skin showing at the western dance halls, we have enough booty shaking as it is, and that I was quite saddend really to see that western wear was going that route like hip hop and rock clothes. And that there was no distinction between the different generes

Edited by OklahomaSweetPea06 on 2008-Jan-31 at 10:22

Clothes and so much more...

11:32, 2008-Jan-31 .. Posted by Anonymous

When I read your post I thought not so much about the clothing issue but the overall innocence issue. My last kiddo left at home is only 8...and a boy so clothing per se isn't really the issue (jeans and t-shirts!) but I've noticed the invasion on his sweet little mind and habits! We were staying at a hotel/waterpark for a mini-vacation and we all walked to breakfast in our pjs (like all the other guests). My son had on his spiderman jammies with little net wings connected to the sleeves (he likes flying around in it). But as he walked down the hall, two other boys about his age stopped and stared and laughed. Jack asked me if he could go back and change. My heart sank...Another time he mentioned to a neighbor boy about a video he likes to watch (Elmo in Grouchland) and was accused of being a baby if he still watches that kind of thing. So my prayer is for God to continue to protect his heart and to help me raise up this young man to stand tall when others want to pull him down. Thanks for your scripture reminders!
Connie

I didn't mean to post as anonymous!

11:35, 2008-Jan-31 .. Posted by connielj

I hadn't logged in yet this morning when I posted my comment...I never want to post as anonymous so I felt compelled to let you know who I am! (What does that tell you about my personality!!)
Blessings!
Connie