Fashion Me

Fashion-

Webster's first entry definition is this: the make or form of something.

The more common definition (for a woman's brain at least) is this: a prevailing custom, usage, or style (1) : the prevailing style (as in dress) during a particular time (2) : a garment in such a style

Something occured to me a few hours ago and I HAVE to share it! I shared it the other day with my husband and I felt the Spirit leading me to write a blog about it...

The other day my mother in law asked me if I wanted her "In Style" magazine. She subscribed for one month for free and of course, they are continuing to send it to her even though she no longer wants the magazine.

In Style...It brings back memories...When I was in high school (x- years ago) I would eagerly wait for my new magazine. I reviewed it every month. I liked to look through the magazine and get ideas of how to "get the look for less."

Now, as a woman and closer to the LORD I have no desire to look at this type of magazine. Let me explain why:

1.) It's depressing. These types of magazines send a message of consumerism. You NEED this perfume to be attractive, You NEED this type of clothing to be hip and cute, You NEED to be as thin as these women (models) in the magazine, You NEED these accessories that cost $300 each (that's my downfall, jewelry and shoes), You NEED this make up to make you look pretty and on and on and on...
2.) My true identity is not in my outward appearance. As a teenage girl, it's ALL about how you look and appear. Now, I want to cultivate my relationship with Jesus. I want to be a woman after God's heart. I want to be a submissive, helpmate and encouraging wife to my husband. I want to be a mother who is praying for and pouring the love of God into my kids. That's what I want my identity to be! I want to encourage and pray for people. I want to be a Proverbs 31 woman.

Don't get me wrong! I still like fashion, clothes, shoes, accessories, make up, etc. However, those things don't DEFINE me. My identity is in Christ. I'm not writing this to seem overly spiritual or like I've arrived or anything...God is constantly pruning and purging me of lots of things....but God revealed to me, "You're not that girl any more. That girl that was constantly walking around a mall or make up counter trying to fix up and make the outside look cute and funky. Now, you have realized that true beauty comes from spending time with the Father. Let me fashion you"

Today I was listening to one of my favorite Phil Wickham cd's in the car. Part of the song says this, "Invade my very heart. Change me until I am who you want. Come and fashion me until every part is how you desire. Come and fashion me....come and fashion me..."

It clicked! The world's view of fashion and trends and clothing isn't really important to me anymore. I do like fashion, but it's not that important....I want to be clothed in robes of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10) I want to put on the armor of God. (Eph 6:13) I want to put on love which is the bond of perfection. (Col 3:14) I want God to fashion my heart...well if I can
in-expensively (I made up the word) make my exterior fashion look cute that's just bonus...Remember the first definition of fashion is "the make or form of something." That's God's area- creating, forming and molding...

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks [himself] with ornaments, And as a bride adorns [herself] with her jewels." Isaiah 61:10

Please feel free to leave a comment. I will be blessed to read your thoughts...

Happy Anniversary to My Husband, 12 years already?

After 12 years of being married, my husband can still land a “backside disaster”-a.k.a. A cool skate trick

When I first started dating my husband I already knew that he enjoyed skateboarding. I would hang around West Covina High School and he would be there….skateboarding.
Since July 17 is our 12 year wedding anniversary I wanted to share one of my favorite stories….

On the evening of our first date Chuck tells me that he put on some nice pants and a nice shirt and boots. He looked in the mirror and decided to change his outfit. “If this girl is real she’ll like me for me” He changed his clothes, put on a skate shirt, jeans and Vans. We went out on our first date. I love this story! One of the things I love about my husband is his honesty, transparency and integrity.

He is the real deal.

He does not sugar coat things and tells things as they are. I love the fact that from day one he wanted me to like him for who he really was…A young man, a man dedicated to Jesus Christ, a man who enjoyed reading and studying his Bible, skateboarding, worked at CostPlus World Market and was enrolled at Citrus College. He told me on our first date, “If Christ is not in the relationship it can’t work.” I was in love!!!!!! What guy brings up the importance of having Christ as the center of a relationship on the very first date? He brought this conversation up even before he knew me. That’s my Chuck.

My husband and I have truly matured together over the years. They say some couples either grow together or grow apart. Well, I know from experience that a marriage with Jesus in the center, a marriage that emphasizes self-denial, prayer, daily encouragement in God’s Word, DATING each other, Eph 5:33 (love and respect), friendship, patience (and every fruit listed in Gal 5), is truly amazing and will produce growth.

I told Chuck the other day that there is nothing that attracts me more to him than seeing him interact as a dad. I realize that Olivia is going to one day be a wife and mother. I told her, “See how Daddy opens the door for me, your husband will do that for you too.” He spends time with her even when he’s tired. It’s those things that matter. I tell her that her future husband must answer the 5 questions- Do you read your Bible? Do you pray? Do you have Jesus in your heart? Do you go to church? Do you go to work? If he says yes to all these things then you can marry him. I know it sounds funny but I want to teach her while she’s young to look for these characteristics in her future spouse.

A girlfriend of mine said, “Even if he answers the 5 questions correctly, Olivia…you can’t get married yet…you have to wait a few minutes and see if he really does those things”

I thought that was a great addition! Watch and see! As a woman, I have observed my husband continually show me sacrificial love. I have watched him grow into a man of prayer, a man committed to serving young men and encouraging them in their walks with the LORD. I can honestly say my husband is a role model. As an 8th grade teacher, many of his students look up to him and they can say like I do, “Mr. G is the real deal.” Sometimes he still skateboards with his students after school and can win them at a battle of “sk8.” That is what I love about my husband. He is so down to earth and approachable, yet he is also full of wisdom and knowledge about life and about God’s Word. I love it that we still stop at skateparks on our vacations! I love it, my kids love it and it reminds me of when we were dating and I would watch him skate…I am privileged and honored to have Chuck as my husband, my love, my soul mate and best friend.

My encouragement to women who read this is to remember that your husband knows you love him….what he needs is your respect. Tell him you respect him as a man and pray for him daily. See photo above of Chuck landing a backside disaster, photo credit- his wife of 12 years...