Sunday, October 16, 2011

to dress or not to dress

dear emily,

my son isaac returned from visiting his grandfather in the
hospital with a funny story.  we need all the laughs we can get,
and i bet you do, too.

isaac was wearing a lovely checked, buttoned down, and tucked
in shirt, straight from church.   his grandmother did not think he
was dressed up enough, however.   she has been putting on hose,
high heels and a beautiful suit every sunday for eight weeks . . .
then marching up to the ICU to sit with her beloved husband.



she said, "my mother always taught me that you must dress up
for church, because even if you don't go to church, people will
see you and think you did . . . and that will make them feel bad."

hee hee!

love,
lea

"therefore i tell you, do not worry about your life, . . . what you
will wear.  is not life more important then food, and the body
more important than clothes?"  matthew 6:25

23 comments:

Farm Girl said...

That is a cute story Lea, I bet you need a good laugh about now. I am praying for your family.
I do wish sometimes life was the way it was when I was young. My Mom always dressed up, even to the grocery store. Hoes and high heels and of course makeup.
I like the comfort too but there was just something like stepping out of a bandbox. :) Do you remember that saying?

Vee said...

How sweet! Really sweet. She is keeping up appearances, putting her best foot forward, doing her best to keep spirits up. What might her husband think if she didn't?

I'm sorry that the nice button-down checked shirt didn't pass muster, though.

Jeanette Levellie said...

Oh, dear! I hope she was joking when she wanted people to feel badly about not going to church!!

I think it's wonderful that your son visited his grandpa in the hosp. What a great kid he is.

Blessings,
Jen

myletterstoemily said...

kim: bandbox?

Rondalahonda said...

Speaking of church, I missed you there today! But I would not have passed the dressed up test, jean jacket, knit skirt and flats. Our illustrious worship minister assured me you will be back soon, as you have solos coming up. Music to my newly well tuned ears.

highheeledlife said...

Lea, sending you prayers and blessings ... it is so difficult for everyone when a loved one is in the hospital.

Sweet story... xo Blessings, HHL

myletterstoemily said...

ronda: i was there, just not back in
choir yet. joseph is giving me grace
because of walt.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Lea dearest,

HOW WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU! And I believe in dressing up with what you have, to be professional, clean and neat, but again, to use what you have. Some teachers go in to work with sweat shirts and sneakers, and I guess I can understand that to a point; one wants to be comfortable! But I believe in pearls and heals, skirts and some accessories and people actually ENJOY seeing someone dressed up! I hope your family members are well and THANK YOU FOR VISITING with such a kind word! SO NICE TO SEE YOU! Anita

Meg said...

Oh that's cute! We always dressed up for church too. I always had to wear a dress, and even though I hated dresses at the time, I still felt that it was a special thing to dress up so much for church.

YAY! I'm so glad you got him today. I was hoping you would like him. My husband laughed the day I said I went to the post office to "mail the zombie". I can't wait to see the pictures! :D

Felisol said...

When I grew up, back in the fifties, we had play clothes, school clothes and Sunday clothes. (of course there were special birthday dresses and Christmas dresses as well.)Back then I would never dream to go to church in my everyday clothes.

Now there's not this much difference. Shorts, sandals and tank tops are definitely what I appreciate in church though.
I guess it's a matter of cultural differences.

Rosie said...

Oh Lea I have missed you and your charming words. Great story!I have been away from blogging for so long, and just thought I would stop by and leave a HUG on your front door step. Thoughts and MANY prayers are with you. :)
xoxo...Rosie

Anne Lyken-Garner said...

I always dress up to go to worship. I make my kids do that too. Somehow, it feels right dressing up to go worship God.

If I were going to a friend's graduation, I would dress up so her party would look great and important. When I go praise God and encourage others to keep the faith, I want to look like it's important to me.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh too funny...sounds like my 96 year old mother-in-law..she can't get use to how my kids dress. She has asked them if they know how to iron.

Blessings to you all through this season. May you see God's hand on each day...may there be many more precious memories.

See you are dancing in the rain!!! That is why God gave that vision to me of you.

Debbie said...

haha...now that was funny. I was raised the same way....the way you dressed for church was HUGELY important...soo glad that has changed, I think way too many stayed home rather than hassle it. Have a wonderful day!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

I remember seeing them so dressed up. Even us as kids, we wore hats and gloves on Easter and nice little dresses and patent leather shoes every Sunday.

I love how we all looked, but I also love the comfort of what we can wear to church now!

Good for your son... grandpa has to love that he visits. We could care less what our grandkids are wearing, it's seeing their faces that we love! On the other hand... your mil is honoring her husband and making herself look special for him... good for her!! Praying for God's healing for your fil.

xo

Lisa said...

That is too cute! Thanks Lea. You gave me my chuckle for the day.:)

Joan Elizabeth said...

In Australia we are such a secular society I don't think people would feel bad about not going to church more likely they think we are mad. I usually wear what I wear to work which I note is getting more and more casual with every passing year. Perhaps the tide will turn again one day.

Sandy said...

I pray your father in law gets
well soon. It's sweet that your
mother in law dresses up for him.
We were forced by my parents to
get dressed up for church every
Sunday morning and evening. At
midweek service we could be a
little more casual. These days
most of our friends and family
members just wear whatever they
want to church, especially jeans.
I don't think the Lord cares one
way or the other and neither do I.
Thanks for the laugh, Lea.
Hugs~

Liz said...

Lea I Love you! Your blogs are just awesome! Thanks for putting a smile on my face!

Susan McCurdy said...

Well, I guess I never thought of it that way before ...(making other's feel bad for not going to church). Perhaps we could consider it spurring one on to good works? I was always taught to dress up for church as a form of honoring God with my best. Sort of like not going to meet the president in your cut off's and flip flops. It is also person's best is different for each one and we are to do our best ...not judge what may or may not be another's best. Thanks for the smile!

Jen said...

That is great! Dressing up to go out anywhere has become a thing of the past. Maybe we all need the reminder to put on our best from time to time.

Heart n Soul said...

Love wisdom from the older generation. Really is quite down to earth :)

Rachel said...

LOL - such wisdom! I really ought to fix my hair better for church - no matter what I am wearing :)