What’s that one piece in your wardrobe you just could not do without?
Is it a scarf? A white blouse? The jeans that fit you like a glove? A jacket or a certain sweater? A pair of boots or shoes?
Is that piece also your favorite, or do you have another that makes you feel like a million bucks when you have it on?
I have a couple favorites, and yes, even one I feel like Wonder Woman when I wear it. (Okay, maybe not quite Wonder Woman, but maybe Super Girl.)
If you’ve had any history with your wardrobe, you already know styles change, often from season to season. What was popular last year, might not be popular this year. My closet could use a good going through to remove items that I no longer wear and that are no longer “in style.” I’ll get to that, one of these days.
As I was preparing for a talk I recently gave, I came across a scripture I’m familiar with, but I had not read it before in this particular translation. It impacted me so, I wrote it down and I plan to place it on my bathroom mirror, where I’ll read it every day as I’m deciding on what pieces to wear from my wardrobe.
Take a look:
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Colossians 3:12-14
I’m convicted. Some days I get too concerned about the wardrobe I’ve picked out, and less about the one God has picked out for me. Too many times I’m putting more emphasis on my outward appearance, when I should be looking more closely at the inward qualities God has given me: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, and discipline.
These qualities, not the pieces hanging in my closet, are what’s important.
If I lived every day with these three verses as my focus, can you imagine the difference they would make?
And the most important piece in our wardrobe? It’s Love. (I guess it’s not my favorite jeans after all.)
Love is the most important quality we can wear.
May you and I wear it proudly, boldly, and beautifully today, and may those in our lives experience this love through us.
Blessings!
Julie
It’s a blessing to link up with some great people: Crystal for #IntentionalTuesday, Holly for #TestimonyTuesday, and Kelly for #RaRaLinkup.
These words are so important to me, because even though I know in my heart that I am NONE of those things naturally, I can PUT ON compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience just like I throw a sweater on through the power of the Spirit in me. Another favorite that keeps me “properly dressed” is in Joel somewhere: Rend your heart and not your garments. Turn to the Lord your God. He is gracious, merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness.” And when I say those words to God, I always finish by saying, “And I’m not, so please help me!”
Thanks, Julie, that I always know that I’ll be challenged when I come and sit in your friendly space!
Ooh, I love that verse, Michele. I’m going to look it up. And how you end it is so appropriate! Puts our focus right where it needs to be. Thanks for that. It’s always a gift to have you here. Thank you. Have a blessed day!
You also got me thinking about Proverbs 31:25 also “She is clothed with strength and dignity.”
That’s a great one, Sarah. Amen to that! Thanks for stopping over. Blessings to you!
Such a great post. My current fave clothing is LuLaRoe clothing. I feel so good in their clothing. But yes I want to clothe myself with the fruits of the spirit.
I’ve heard great things about their clothing, but haven’t tried them. What’s the first piece I should get?? Thanks for being here, friend.
Placing the emphasis on my inward qualities over my outward appearances — beautiful reminder and beautifully said, Julie. : )
Hi Crystal! Thank you! I appreciate your continued encouragement and kindness. Thanks for hosting us each week for #IntentionalTuesday!
Oh, Julie … Love makes the way for so much! I want to wear this love every day! By the way … Love the bleeding hearts!
Hi Dianne! Those bleeding hearts are from my mother’s flower garden. I cherish every single plant that was once hers. I want to wear love too… better than I do most days! Thanks for your encouragement through your words. Have a great week!
You are so right – if we all wore those qualities everyday, what a difference it would make. Particularly kindness – it truly makes a difference, and it goes with everything, doesn’t it?! 😉 Great encouragement, Julie – visiting you today from the #testimonytuesday linkup.
Hi Tiffany! I’ll be over to visit you soon. Yes, it would make all the difference for me… especially in kindness. Hope you are doing well, friend. Thank you for stopping by!
Oh wow, no matter what else I wear, I need my watch. Always, every day. I only take it off to shower, I even sleep with it on. What is my obsession with having to know the time, no matter what/when? I don’t know, but for me, there is great comfort in knowing the time. You are making me think that I just might need to leave it off for a full day and rely on God to be my true comfort in all. And I can put on the garment of love more fully when my focus is not on a wrist item, something that truly is not as important.
That’s interesting, Kim. But, you know? We all have something we can get obsessed with. I’m trying diligently to live out being led by Jesus… and I fail miserably most days. I totally understand where you are coming from. Let me know if you took your watch off for a time and how that went. I’m so thankful for your presence here, and for your online friendship! Bless you!
Holy cow!! I’ve never noticed that phrase…”the wardrobe God picked out for you!” Total perspective shift. Wow, wow! Can you tell I’m excited about this?? I am!! I am!! Alright, I’m a little nuts at the moment. Going to go ponder this over dinner and possible paint something to hang near my closet. LOVE IT. Thanks, Julie! #RaRaLinkup
I’d love to see what you painted! It’s been a perspective shift for me too. So glad we can encourage one another on this journey. Blessings to you!