All Dressed Up

What fun it is as a little girl to dress up in mommy’s clothes: Clomping around the house in her shoes. Putting on mommy’s necklaces and make-up. I remember how I loved to go to my great-grandmother’s house and put on her sparkly clip-on earrings. I felt so grown-up and beautiful.

But lately, I have noticed my daughters have been putting on more than just my clothes and jewelry. They have been wearing some of my unlovely attitudes. They have been trying on some of my not so pretty tones of voice. Yuck. Is that really what I want my daughters dressing up in?

It is amazing how much thought and time can be put into what I put on my physical body, and yet, that is not what truly matters in my day…or in the lives of my precious daughters, who want to be like mommy.

Galatians 3:27 tells me “all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” So, as a Christian, I am already wearing Christ. But can anyone tell? Can my daughters? Or am I covering Him up with other unflattering articles of clothing- selfishness, a quick temper, grouchiness, harshness. I need to put on things that accentuate Him, clothes and accessories that glorify Him.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

I am to clothe myself in kindness, humility, compassion, love…things I cannot just slip on by myself. Apart from the Lord, I can do nothing. (see John 15:5) I can’t even “dress” myself! I need to go to Him daily and ask Him to help me get dressed. I need to spend time with Him, spend time in His word, and let the Lord do the wardrobe changing I so desperately need. And as I model a wardrobe befitting a daughter of the King, I won’t have to be worried about my daughters wanting to dress up like mommy.

Father, thank You for the work that You are able to do in me and that You are doing in me. I am so thankful You are completing the good work You began in me. (Philippians 1:6) I am so glad to know I am “predestined to be conformed to the image” of Your Son! (Romans 8:29) I surrender to Your work today. I surrender to the wardrobe change I need. Thank You so much for the good plans You have not only for me, but also for my daughters. I love You and praise You. May You be glorified in all that I say and do. Amen.