My dress reform journey

I’ve always heard that we are to “do all to the glory of God” and I’ve always read this verse thinking that it only related to spiritual practices. Then in 2013, while at Rhodes SDASM a speaker spoke about dress reform. He exhorted the ladies to not be stumbling blocks and he included even the shoes we wear. I was angry because I loved high heels so much and a new shop selling heels had just opened.So, I just dismissed him. But the Holy Spirit convicted me of one thing-being a stumbling block to my brothers. So I purposed in my heart to never wear skirts that show my thighs.

Three months after this, I met a friend who is dear to me. God used him to help me understand the dress reform message. He shared about dress reform on fb and I started wondering if God really cared about what I wore.So,I began searching the word and the first verse I came across was Deuteronomy 22:5 which reads “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God” and soon after reading this passage I came across Malachi 3:6,” For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed”. After reading Malachi I could not argue against the Holy Spirit and I made a decision to never wear my trousers again.

The following day I got into my skinny jean and as I was about to exit the room I just felt naked, as if everyone could see my body. I never wore trousers again.So, I was convinced as long as I wore skirts and dresses I was okay. When I went on to study about dress reform I learnt that the skirt had to cover the legs. My dear friend went on to share about head covering. I must say I was shocked. I wondered why only married women wore covered their hair.I went on to ask two ladies who confirmed. One shared with me Isaiah 47:1-3 in relation to 1 Corinthians 11.

I still wasn’t prepared as I really loved my relaxed hair and showing it off.It took me about a month to come to accept this. I sincerely prayed for God’s direction and he directed me that I needed to cover my head when coming in his presence-by prayer. So, I initially wore the doek when I was going to pray. But since there’s no appropriate time for prayer I realised I needed to wear the covering even during the day.
I also got rid of all my heels .There was one problem though, my heart was still not right. I thought dress reform made me better than others. But as I studied I learnt it was about pleasing God and when I completely understood this it came from the heart. I no longer care what people say as long as God is pleased and my brothers aren’t tempted when looking at me.

Dress reform has made me realise it’s all about God and giving him glory. I’m now at a point where I’m not dressing to be seen but so that Christ can be seen. I no longer feel the deep need of measuring up to other ladies and adhering to the fashion of this world. I feel liberated and I am humbled that I get to have this privilege of wearing for God’s glory. 

"In dress, as in all things else, it is our privilege to honor our Creator. He desires our clothing to be not only neat and healthful, but appropriate and becoming."1Education, 248

As a woman:being loud DOES NOTmake you INFLUENTIAL!

 Growing up,I thought that there was only one way for a woman to be INFLUENTIAL.I thought you had to be loud or you had to become a preacher.I noticed how women preachers were admired and always receive attention;but it's only now that I realise:you can be an introvert and still make a huge difference in people's lives.

You don't have to be an extrovert,a preacher,educated,and in a leadership position to fulfill God's duty for you as a woman.You can be a light irregardless of what you have or do not have.By the words you speak,by the acts of kindness you perform,by expounding the word with those who do not understand,by your prayers and your example and many other good deeds.

For the past year,I've been observing various women in church.The first one is my elder's wife:she's an introvert,down to earth and soft spoken.She never meddles in other people's business.As soon as church is out,she looks after her toddlers.One trait that stands out in her is her ability to choose when to speak and when not to.As a result:a lady who was backsliding,has come to church because of her influence.


The second one is my "third" mother.She also doesn't say much;but her presence is comforting.There's always joy and peace wherever she goes.

And last Sabbath I met a lovely sister for the first time and I was instanly drawn to her;there wasn't anything about her clothes or hair.But what attracted me to her is her deportment-especially what comes out of her mouth.Every word praises God and she is filled with so much gratitude and praise for her master and she speaks with wisdom.I pray that I may be like her-modest inside and out.

I can go on mentioning all these women:Some,always bring Christ in every little thing they do,they are meek,kind,caring and more.And I thank God for the opportunity of letting me meet them so that I can learn what it means to be feminine,modest and godly by example.
 
You can be INFLUENTIAL in every sphere!

*As I learn,step by step
 

The beauty in modesty(dress reform):continued

I had written an introduction about why God is concerned with what we wear in 2013 and promised to continue.So here goes:

After much studying and prayer,this is what I've learnt so far concerning dress reform:
 -It covers 4 areas,which are;simplicity,health,distinction of gender and sadly,I can seem to remember the last one.

It is crucial for us to uderstand that God does not approve of nakedness.Even Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves-yet we see that God made an appropriate coat to cover them.

Furthermore,Isaiah 47:1-3 defines what nakedness is in women:"UNCOVERED LEGS,THIGHS,UNCOVERED HAIR".As you go to the New Testament,1 Corinthians 11 says it is shameful for a woman-note not a wife-to pray or prophesy without her hair covered.So,from the two texts we can conclude:Our legs,hair,thighs should not be exposed and when they are exposed we are naked before the eyes of God.

"The dress of the second class which passed before me was in many respects as it should be. The limbs were well clad. They were free from the burdens which the tyrant, Fashion, had imposed upon the first class; but had gone to that extreme in the short dress as to disgust and prejudice good people, and destroy in a great measure their own influence. This is the style and influence of the 'American Costume' taught and worn by many at 'Our Home' in Dansville, New York. It does not reach to the knee. I need not say that this style of dress was shown me to be too short." Present Truth and Review and Herald Articles, Vol. 1, p. 73.

What do the testimonies say concerning how we should dress?

“ ‘The limbs, being remote from the center of circulation, demand greater protection, instead of less. The veins which convey the blood to the extremities are large, providing for the flow of a sufficient quantity of blood to afford warmth and nutrition. But when the blood is chilled from these parts, the veins contract, and the circulation is retarded. Not only do the extremities suffer from cold, but through lack of nutrition the limbs do not attain their natural development. A good circulation purifies the blood, and secures health; while a poor circulation renders the blood impure, and induces congestion of the vital organs.' {CTBH 91.2}

“ ‘If any part of the body should be favored with extra coverings, it should be the limbs and feet, which are at a distance from the great wheel of life, which sends the blood through the system. The limbs should ever be clothed with a warm covering to protect them from a chill current of air.' H. R. {HL 124.1}“ 

‘We have decided that health and modesty require that women clothe their limbs as thoroughly as they do other parts of the body.' ” {HR, March 1, 1874 par. 13}

GENDER DISTINCTION:

When God created the female,He made her different from the male-both physically and emotionally.The woman has been created with a feminine touch and God would have her clothes tell of that.

Deuteronomy 22:5King James Version (KJV)

5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

"I saw that God's order has been reversed, and His special directions dis­regarded, by those who adopt the American costume. I was referred to Deuteronomy 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD they God.' God would not have His people adopt the so- called reform dress, It is immodest apparel, wholly unfitted for the modest, humble followers of Christ.

"There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible, but God pronounces it abomination. 'In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefaced- ness and sobriety.'" 1 Timothy 2:9.

HEALTH:

“Our Creator has formed the limbs with large veins and vessels to contain a large proportion of blood, that the limbs may be sufficiently nourished and proportionately warm with other portions of the body. But fashion robs the limbs of coverings, and the life current is chilled from its natural channel and thrown back upon its internal organs. The many coverings over the chest and lungs induce the blood to these parts, and the animal heat thus retained weakens and debilitates these delicate organs, causing congestion and inflammation. The head, lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys have too much blood, while the limbs have not enough for warmth and proper development. The result is, the blood vessels in the limbs contract because they are not filled and cannot contain the due proportion of blood which nature designed they should, and they are always chilly. Because this chilliness is habitual, it is not noticed by children who are thus unhealthfully dressed. These children, who are disciplined to conform to fashion, are not well proportioned. Their slender, fleshless limbs testify to the abuse they have suffered. Fashion has robbed their limbs of their natural plumpness.” Ibid., January 1, 1877.

“There is but one woman in a thousand who clothes her limbs as she should. Whatever may be the length of the dress, females should clothe their limbs as thoroughly as the males. This may be done by wearing lined pants gathered into a band and fastened about the ankle, or made full and tapering at the bottom, and these should come down long enough to meet the shoe. The limbs and ankles thus clothed are protected against a current of air. If the limbs and feet are kept comfortable with warm clothing, the circulation will be equalized, and the blood will remain healthy and pure, because it is not chilled or hindered in its natural passage through the system.” Selected Messages , book 2, 479

“Every article of clothing upon the person should be worn so loose that, in raising the arms, the clothing will be correspondingly lifted by the action. . . .

“The shoulders should be made to sustain the weight of every article of clothing worn upon the person.” The Health Reformer , February 1, 187