Just six days left in this month of 7. I have decided that I have pretty much zero follow-through on anything. That's probably why I've started two masters programs and keep starting over at week 1 day 1 of the Couchto5K program. I really made a good effort this month. When I failed to put on one of my seven approved items, it is not out of vanity because "so and so" might have seen me in that outfit twice already this week (though those moments have occurred when I see someone out and about). Nope. I failed because my seven things were dirty-- ok, six of them were dirty and I didn't want to lay around the house in a dress. :)
The entire book convicted me. While I am realizing that actually living out this fast is really hard, it doesn't mean I am any less convicted. I have too much junk. I think it's quite intentional that this month you wear only seven things and next month you give away seven things a day for 30 days-- because I have already had the urge to purge! When you realize that you really CAN get by without fifteen blazers, 20 dresses and 30 pairs of shoes it makes it easier to part with them the next month. So, call me a cheater if you will, but I've already started in on my 210 items for next month.
I am a clothes horse. I LOVE fashion. I love cute things with ruffles, a tailored blouse, riding boots-- and don't even get me started on accessories. I love to be feminine and girly. I love the way a dress with the perfect cut can make me feel. And there's this one. I have it a few years. Given, it was a TJ Maxx purchase, but it's still Maggie London. It's the perfect length and the most beautiful shade of blue. It looks great with leggings and riding boots, or absolutely precious with a cardigan and strappy sandals. But alas... it is a size that fit me one baby ago... :(
I had no problem purging most of the stuff in my closet. My (BRAND NEW!) sister-in-law, I knew, would make a good home for a few things. But most of the things, in the spirit of not blessing the blessed, but instead giving away my things to someone who really needs them, went to a local clothing ministry. While I don't need a blazer in every color anymore, there are women in this community who can't afford a nice jacket to wear to job interview. It felt good to fold up some of those things and give them away. I knew they had made me feel beautiful and made me look sharp at meetings with clients, now another woman could put on that crisp white blouse and feel beautiful. I pray she feels God's peace and trusts that everything will work out. I pray it fits her perfectly when nothing else in her world seems to fit. But that blue dress... it would fit me again. I mean, really, it will. I won't keep this
I got an email last week about being a part of a scripture collective in which you send a passage of scripture to ten people and, ideally, they respond to you. I got one response from my round. But, it was the only response I needed. Man-- isn't the Lord so
Oh. Do you hear that? That's the sound of my toes being stepped on. Ouch. "It's a freakin' dress, Allysa!" That's what Jesus was saying. "You have ten others you AREN'T giving away and you're going to get wrapped around the axle about one."Matt. 6:25-34"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed in the fire to heat the oven, won't he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? So then, don't worry saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given unto you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own."
"But, Maggie London isn't exactly on the SAHM budget anymore".
"Give it away."
"But I will be grateful every time I wear it."
"Give it away."
"Well, there is that friend..."
"Give it away."
And, so, thanks to Holy Spirit using my friend Mike to send EXACTLY the right scripture, I gave it away. I took it from it's precious little spot in the back of the closet (you know, where all the "maybe next year" stuff hangs), folded it carefully and placed it on top of a bag of clothes I was giving to a friend who also lives on a frugal SAHM budget and gives tirelessly to her girls but not as much to herself (any mommas who can relate?). I knew her delicate little frame- that you would never believe carried two babies!- would look gorgeous in that satin-trimmed number I loved so much.
She texted me to say the clothes were a "perfect fit". I knew they would be. The Lord's pretty good like that.
So, Month #3 hasn't even begun and the Lord is chipping away at my closet and the need for approval I store in there. I'm excited--and a little scared-- to see what else comes from this. If you're in the market for new clothes, probably wouldn't hurt to stop on by. My prices are unbeatable. :)
1 comment:
awesome. I would love to have you guest blog sometime. I do have my scripture for you.
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