Saturday, February 20, 2016

The Esther Project Part 5

What to wear, what to wear:
How is your wardrobe looking? Are the wedding and bridesmaid dresses you've been looking at the type that put others at ease?  We've been told a lie. It is that "It's YOUR day." That is not true. A wedding is God's symbol. How you plan it will, either bring glory to God or, bring attention to yourself or your maids. (The guys are always well covered!) I am pretty passionate about modesty in this day and age. You can read a previous post I have called "Confessions of a Closet Conservative". Now, before you get your back up, it is just an old post!
By now, though, hopefully, you have done some soul searching and it is the Lord that knows your heart. I certainly don't. I can't tell you what to wear, that is something you need to work out with the Lord and your parents even. Then, it will be your husband's responsibility. Now, that may shock you, but, as a guy, he can really help you to dress in a nice way that doesn't draw attention to parts of you that are only for him. That is, as long as he isn't a King Ahasuerus who wanted to flaunt his wife.
How you dress and how you carry yourself will speak volumes as to your faithfulness to him.

Sweet Spirt:
If you want to be honest and check your motives behind your dress, consider this: Is the main attention of your appearance your sweet, cheerful countenance? I'm not saying that you should dress "blah" because that is simply not necessary. I'm saying that there is a gleam and light to share that radiates from your face!
Prov. 15:13
"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."
 1 Tim. 2:9-11 "in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works."
Prov.11:22
"As a ring of gold in a swine's snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion."

Physical Care:
Exercise is really important and a great habit to be formed while you are young. Many young people and newly weds, though, don't have extra money for a gym membership or space for equipment at home. Here in Washington, the weather makes it difficult to get outside! But, don't give up. Our society has made it too complicated. There are simple ways to get a work-out without any expensive/ bulky accessories. It's not complicated. And- bonus!! Mopping the floor and scrubbing the tub is calling on a lot of muscles too. You just need something DOABLE.

https://www.fitwatch.com/blog/10-ways-you-can-exercise-at-home-without-any-equipment

I'll admit to you right now that nobody in my house wants to use my homemade deodorant. I know. Sad. But, if you want to try some, this is really inexpensive and it works for me.
Homemade All Natural Deodorant:
Makes enough for one average-sized deodorant roll-up container.
1 heaping T. beeswax pellets
2 1/2 - 3 T. coconut oil ( probably go with the 3 T.)
1/8 C. arrowroot powder
1/8 C. baking soda (aluminum free)
2 drops castor oil
2 drops vitamin E
24 drops of therapeutic grade essential oil of your choice (recommendations below)
The selections are endless. You could choose just single oils (lavender, lemon, melaleuca, sandalwood, frankincense, etc.) or Young Living has a number of blends that are perfect for a good deodorant (Thieves, Purification, Citrus Fresh, Three Wise Men, Joy, Harmony, Sensation etc.).
If you want to get creative, you could try to blend a few complementary oils together yourself. Here are a few examples:

English Garden:
9 drops lavender
9 drops ylang ylang drops
2 geranium

Morning Breeze
15 drops Rosemary
6 drops peppermint
4 drops lavender
Other good oils choices: Frankincense, Lime, Lemongrass, Citrus Fresh, Rosemary, Valor, Bergamot, Geranium

Perhaps Esther used something like this recipe to refresh her face after a brisk promenade about the beautiful gardens of the Persian palace.
Hydrating beauty mist:
1/2 cup distilled or reverse osmosis water
1/2 teaspoon vegetable glycerine
8 drops ylang ylang
2 drops chamomile
1 drop myrrh
1 drop frankincense
1 drop jasmine (optional)

Teachable:
I will give you a couple hints as to modest dress. If you often have to tug it UP or DOWN, consider wearing something else outside of the house. Later, as a new mom, your kiddo is going to start pulling on your clothes too. You will also be bending down to reach stuff a lot and picking things up off the floor. Please, don't let everything hang out or hike up.
 You want to have an attitude of putting others at ease. You can loose friends over dressing immodestly. After all, not all of your friends are married to men that control their eyes. I'm sorry, but this is true- I have witnessed it. I also found out, much to my surprise, that you can loose friends over being too Modest! I can't understand it, but for some women who are either feeling convicted about their own motives behind their wardrobe choices, or their feeling that they have to be always alluring in order to keep their own man, your dressing from head to toe could make someone mad at you. Now, we are not here to please others, but only to please God. Seek Him in this and see if you can't find a way to dress modestly without going way overboard. That attitude speaks of selflessness and will keep ministry opportunities wide open to you so that you can be a servant of the Lord.


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