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| Dressed for the Occasion Clothing Yourself With Virtues by Mary DeMent Raising small children can be a daunting and, at times, humbling experience. My neighbor, Cindy, recently called to report that her daughter, 4-year-old Kelly, had given her a “wake-up call.” Upon receiving several bags of hand-me-downs that my daughter passed along, Kelly (like most girls would, myself included), rifled through her newfound bounty with zeal. She spent the afternoon trying on each “new” outfit, mixing and matching shirts, shorts and skirts. She paraded down the hall and admired her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Finally, she selected her favorite. Kelly’s choice confused her mother. Out of all the pretty, brightly colored dresses and coordinating shirt and short sets at her disposal, Kelly walked into the kitchen sporting a white tank top, a pair of well-worn, what my daughter calls “comfortable” jean capris, complete with a ripped leg seam, and a pair of her own dirty, beat-up tennis shoes. Some of her hair was in a ponytail. The rest just dangled loose by her face. That’s when Kelly proudly announced: “Look Mom! Now I can dress just like you!” Cindy was mortified! Now, any mother knows that it is not practical to chase small children around in heels and pearls (sorry, June Cleaver). Children are living, breathing, mud-slinging, laundry-producing beings, and you must dress for the occasion. So, I pass no judgment on my neighbor. I only laugh with her. I thought about my behavior. What attitudes and actions do I “wear” daily? Do the words coming from my mouth “look good on me”? Do they “match” the clothes God has laid out for me? “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12, NIV). No mom is without flaw. We all have room to grow. And raising small children doesn’t always bring out the best in us. Fussy babies, dirty diapers and toddler tantrums color our mood and actions. But if we allow our heavenly Father to “dress” us, if we ask Him for fashion advice, our “clothing” will fit to perfection every time. Mary DeMent is a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom. She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband, Bill, and their four children, ages 9, 7, 5 and 2. She holds a master’s degree in clinical social work. When have you made it a point to show kindness, gentleness or patience when you may not have felt like it, because you wanted to be a good example to your kids? | Top | Share Your Thoughts... Tuesday, May 27, 2008 05:27:37 AM
kirsten wrote... LOL! Thanks, I needed that! Looking deceint and acting like Jesus is in the room are what I've been working on. Thanks for the comforation that I'm on track. |
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