What are You Wearing?

This is Faith...

...in her self-imposed uniform. A dark blue shirt and a pair of blue jean capris. She has to suck in her tummy to snap the capris but, "They're perfect, Mama! I love them."

If the uniform is clean, it's on her body. Unfortunately, I'm the kind of mama who does laundry daily, so, yes, she can wear it every day. Unless she sleeps in it. I love the nights she goes to bed in this getup because I get to see her in something different in the morning. Maybe even something purple. She looks beautiful in purple. She is one of my most creative children. Perhaps this is because she doesn't waste an ounce of mental energy deciding what to wear.

I have two more children who dress predictably. We read a science book a few years ago that showed how dark colors absorb heat and light colors reflect it. Hot-blooded Lauren took this to heart. She dresses in khaki shorts and a white t-shirt.

"How 'bout if you wear your black shirt with those shorts? Black looks so good with your hair. Or the coral one? It highlights your skin tones."

"I'll be hot! Dark colors make me hot!" End of discussion.

John goes for comfort. I bought him a soft pair of blue and white plaid flannel pants at the local thrift store last fall. He put them on in October and he's still wearing them. We have this conversation every time we are getting ready to leave the house:

"Hey Bud, you need to get changed. We're leaving in a few minutes.

"Why? I like these pants."

'I know hon, but they look like pajamas. You can't leave the house wearing pajamas." And he goes grumbling off to dig through his drawers to find something acceptable... and comfy. It usually takes him a few tries.

So the other day, I was at the far end of the house in the clothes room. I sorted the uniforms into their drawers. Look at these clothes. Why do they just wear the same things day after day? They don't wear most of what's in here. Don't they realize how good they would look in these things?

That thought was followed by this one. Look at what you wear. Day after day, you put on the same old stuff...pride, impatience, worry... You have other stuff in your closet you know. Peace, humility, gentleness. You should pull those out more often. They're a perfect fit and you're stunning in them.

Tomorrow when the kids all suit up in the uniforms, I'll check to see what I'm wearing.