Prayer Request for Style Change

[Pam]

I have always been a pants person. I love jeans. However, I feel the Lord has burdened my heart for some time now to make the transition to dresses and skirts (I like them ankle length). I have trouble finding anything to fit or long enough (especially for a chubby gal). I did purchase some nice denim from one of the fabric stores here and actually managed to find a pattern! I am going to attempt to make them this weekend. I know how to sew clothing and I do quilt so the sewing is no big deal. Please pray they come out beautifully and that friends and family will not give me a lot of grief over the transition. I know they are going to think I am weird (but that's okay). I just pray that I can be a Godly testimony to them for being obedient. This is something that has been on my heart for a long time and I need to do this. I don't relish giving up my jeans (I never wear pants to church), but am willing to at least try and let the Lord take it from there and instill it deep in my heart so that I will never want to go back to jeans again. Will appreciate your prayers in this endeavour! God bless!

[George]

Amen Sister! You shall of course have my prayers during this time of transition. To me there is nothing that looks better than a modestly dressed woman. I sort of got a personal chuckle at something you said. I was not chuckling at you but at myself when I read the following:

I know they are going to think I am weird (but that's okay)

Of course it is okay, let them think what they will. "They" don't matter in the grand scheme of things. The reason I chuckled is because at the local hospital where I get my labs done there is a sign that says, "Significantly abnormal results will be transmitted immediately." It sure makes me feel good to know my doctors get my results immediately because I am most certainly "significantly abnormal."

In Christ,
George

[Deleted]

I was in your shoes 6-8 years ago. I asked my husband if was alright if I go dress/skirts only he said I had to keep one pair a of jeans for the boat LOL I am such a clutz. I don't sew! But I did manage a skirt, it wasn't as long as I would of liked but it worked.

My friends and co-workers were a little shocked because they had never seen me in anything but pants. But the/their tone changed. Men became gentlemen, the language in my office became softend, the bad crude jokes turned into clean bad jokes.

THe only person who had/has a problem with my dresses/skirts only policy was and still is my daughter. My husband never forced her to wear modest clothes and won't it "is her choice not ours for her!" I hear it over and over. I even said then fine she can wear what she wants too but no jean's, shorts or pants, in church and that didn't even work. *sigh* it is so much easier to train kids at a younger age!"

Anyways my point, I had the same scared feeling you have right now. It is the devil trying to stop you from being obiedient.

God truned my feelings into oppurtunities of sharing His word. Yes there has been a few snickers behind my back and to my face but nothing is more heart fullfilling than doing as GOd asks and seeing HIS rewards. Remember this isn't just about you, It is about serving His kingdom! You are making a wise choice to follow God's instructions for your life. Don't let nay say or back talk, talk you into to not following God. That would be a shame and a sin!

I will keep you in my prayers.

Sister Debbi (Oregon)

[Pam]

Oh thank you Bro. George and Sister Debbi! You have blessed my heart, given me encouragement, and uplifted my spirit by your comments! What a treasure brothers and sisters in Christ are! People who are lost just have no idea what they are missing. And Debbie, I too have kids (grown) who just don't see anything wrong with pants or some of the other things of the world. Our children can definitely be a heavy burden!

Back to the skirt and dress issue, I can remember when I was so much younger - I thought it was ridiculous too that women should wear dresses all the time (so I guess our kids really aren't any different than we were at that age). Funny how time and age has a tendency to change things - especially our choices. It's taken me years to get to the point where I truly want to please the Lord in all aspects of my life. It is good that He is so longsuffering and patient with us! Some of us just need years to get to that point! Sister Pam

[Deleted]

Just prayed for you, I gave up trousers (pants) 3 years ago I've never looked back. To be honest before I did so I think I behaved quite manish. I'm not saying every woman who wears trousers acts like a man.
The weather here in Ireland is cold, so I keep several skits for winter, they trail on the ground; when I go out I wear three pairs of tights (I think you call them pantyhose), and leggings under neath.

[Andrea]

I will be praying for you. I have been dresses/skirts only since high school and I've been out of school for over twenty years now. I did have a couple of times through out the past 20 or so years where I questioned myself and why I was only wearing dresses or skirts especially since I came from a non christian family and was criticized all the time. I always fell back on the Word of God knowing that that's all that matters, just like Bro. George said. When it's all said and done and I stand before God, what others have said through out the years isn't going to matter at all.

[Pam]

I am excited to try and make some more skirts this weekend. I have several now but they are more or less reserved for church. I want several denim ones that I can wear every day. I pray they turn out! The one thing I have noticed when I have been wearing a skirt or dress (mine are always to my ankles) is that I feel different when I am out in public - like going to the grocery store, etc. I know people look, which I find odd actually since you see women in dresses and skirts all the time. But, for myself, when I say I feel "different", I feel "separate" from the world. The Bible says to "come out and be ye separate" and that's exactly how I feel. And you know what? I LOVE it! I don't feel like just another worldly person walking the aisles in the store. Another thing, is that I have grown my hair really long and wear it up in a bun. Everyone tells me to cut it off because it makes me look older. Guess what?! I don't mind at all! I don't need to have the "latest hairstyle" since the hairstyles today are designed to make a woman look younger and sexier and I have no desire to appeal to anyone but my husband. I have to say that I am excited to start on this new venture with my Lord!

[rachel]

To Pam,

Good luck with the pants-skirts transition. I've been wearing skirts almost constantly for a number of years now (since I was eight or nine) simply because I prefer the feel of them. When I made the conscious decision to 'go modest', as it were, no-one really noticed but I do get lots of questions from extended family/ friends about the headcovering (only been covering this year). Since I've been percieved as 'weird' for most of my life, I don't really notice, it's just when people make comments about it that it gives me grief. The person that gives me the most grief about headcovering is my sister, aged twelve, and I'm not sure what to do about it.

My sister and I both wore lots of skirts/dresses when we were small but not so often in summer as it's so hot, but we've always had pants as an option and my sister only wears skirts about 15% of the time. Even into last year I was still wearing pants occasionally, I was still going to face-to-face school and I actually believed them when they said I had to wear pants for certain things. There are some things, like riding for example, where you can wear a skirt but I'm going to make some long culottes for that. Culottes look just like a skirt. If you aren't sure about giving up pants, I would suggest culottes.

As a suggestion for finding clothes to fit, I have noticed that many shop-bought clothes rarely fit anyone properly, even if they do have what is percieved as a 'normal' body shape. Good luck with sewing your own, they are sure to fit comfortably!

I am praying for you as you make the transition to dresses and skirts. God bless,

From Rachel.

[Deleted]

I am doing this same transition right now. I found a simple skirt pattern (oddly enough, in the costume section because long skirts were no where to be found in any of the pattern books at the fabric store unless they were as tight as pants), found some lovely fabric on sale, and am going to start today with making them. I will pray for you during this as I also walk through it. I know I will get the from some people. But I am starting to realize that there will always be people that at any decision you make.

[Pam]

Thanks Rachel and Katie for the words of encouragement. Still struggling with this issue. I think it's harder for gals who have always worn pants because that's what's comfortable and normal to us. Friday night, I did take a jumper that had gotten too small in the bodice, cut the bodice off, and ran some elastic in my new "waist". It worked perfectly! Still have my fabric for three more skirts but haven't had the time to get at them - hopefully this weekend. Please keep praying for me as the desire to go "modest" is strong, but the other part of me that likes jeans is still alive and kicking!

[Tyler's Helpmeet]

I pray that you can make the transition easily and with out much grief from others around you.

I went "modest" about 8 years ago. Before that my wardrobe was what I now would consider quite manish. I wore mostly athletic style clothing and jeans. I wore shorts that even though they are longer than what is in fashion currently, I would be ashamed to wear now. I was feminine and pretty but I think I was probably more clunky and manish in the way I carried myself.

Now I am 95% of the time in skirts. I am not perfect about it, I still like to throw on a pair of capris now and then (like today). I feel so much better when I dress like a lady. I feel really self conscious when I wear my capris.

I also struggle with my daughter. Sometimes she tells me that she only wants dresses and skirts but then the next day she is wearing capris and I have to fight her to put on a skirt. I guess she is probably going by my example and maybe if I was 100% she would be too. Once she grows out of the two pairs of capris she has I will not be replacing them. That will solve that problem since she is only 10 and I buy her clothing.

I know I did not really have anything wise to share here but sometimes it is nice to know that these things are a common struggle and you are not alone.