What is wrong with the women in my church? Last Sunday one lady looked like she just stepped out of an early-80′s Madonna video. She wore a black lace shell blouse with a black lace bra underneath.
Holding a conversation with her proved difficult because I kept wanting to stare at her chest. I’m assuming that’s what she wanted me to do since she was dressed for it. Plus, she’s not a spring chicken, if you get my meaning. She should have known better at her age.
Then there was the gal who decided to go bra-less. Yup, you read that right – no bra. Not a big deal, you say? Well, it is if you’re wearing a backless, loosely- fitting top. Anyone sitting behind her and a bit off to the side got an eyeful. I took one look at her and quickly moved my husband to another pew. How is a man supposed to concentrate with her cleavage distracting him? Hey, it destracted me, and I’m a girl.
Don’t even get me started with the camis. I do like a nice cami. Who doesn’t? So comfy and cool in the heat. But to church? Especially on a woman blessed with extra in the bosom department? Not a pretty sight.
The women I mentioned are not new believers either. Do they not have Bibles or did they skip those verses that call for modesty?
I’m not saying we should all wear a long-sleeved dress with a high collar and pantyhose. I’m okay with the proper amount of skin. Just use your common sense.
Just so you know I’m living in today’s society, and I do know a thing or two about fashion, here is an example of what I think is okay for church. Last month, I wore a cotton blazer, tank top, knee length skirt and sandals to a Sunday morning service. The bright blue tank made for a nice splash of color under the blazer – a blazer I made sure to keep on me. I also had on the proper undergarment, too.
It’s easy to dress modestly without doing it like a Pilgrim.
You know what the sad thing is about these women I mentioned? If I were to pull them aside and lovingly tell them that what they are wearing may be cool in the heat, it’s not cool to wear to church. I would certainly be accused of being (gasp!) judgmental.
So I remain silent.
I don’t want my husband – or any other man in the congregation – to have to worry about what they might catch a glimpse of while singing praise songs or listening to a sermon. My boys are going to start noticing these – dare I say it? – trashy-looking women, too. What do I tell my girls if they want to choose clothing that leaves little to the imagination? What is a mother to do?
It sure does make the idea of home church appealing.
This sort of issue makes me want to become Mormon – they have a very specific code about what is “modest” vs. “immodest”. For example, don’t show your shoulders, but it can be as tight as you want! When I wear a sleeveless top (like right now, not tank top – just no sleeves) I realize my Mormon friends think I am immodest, but I think it is modest because it is cut modestly and has a high neckline. It is hard to live in a community where we are each judged by our maker and not a set of rules. (I’ve read but not been convinced by books which argued for a specific set of rules.)
Becoming Mormon is definately NOT the answer, I’m sure you will agree. Their Jesus is not my Jesus (that’s a post topic, no room here in the comments section to address that issue.)
Your point is made – it’s much easier to follow a set of rules from an organization. We have our “freedom in Christ,” don’t we?
Thought-provoking!
I found this through the Christian Carnival.
Excellent point regarding how women dress. I only hope that I can raise my daughter to appreciate the need for modesty.
I do think you are touching on a larger issue here though, the extreme casual attitude that I see prevelant in our churches. Which is a whole topic in itself. Thanks for bringing up some great points.
Blessings…
I know what you mean! And, to think, when my children were growing up (they are 35 & 38), you would never have seen that in church.
This goes on in my church: low cleavage on BIG-busted girls, SHORT skirts, no slips, bare-backed sun dresses, and their Mothers dressing like the teens, too! One woman said, “Oh, my daughter dressed me”. I thought – not my daughter! My 35 year old knows better than that, and so does her 16 yr old! Just not acceptable in church!
It won’t be long that anything will ‘go’ in church. Very sad that they have no reverence for the house of God. Oh, I know he ‘lives’ within us, but so many are lacking common sense on dress, and as you said, ‘it draws attention’ to them that shouldn’t be there.
Eric and Barb, we are all of the same opinion: too casual of an attitude. I’m getting ready to put my thoughts here. Thanks for commenting, everyone.