Always Learning: She Gave Her Gift Away

Thursday, March 12, 2015

She Gave Her Gift Away

The other day I {TheJoyFilledWife} was running an errand with one of my children and as we got back in the car, buckled up, and drove away, I noticed that it was an unusually quiet ride. The particular child I had with me that day is of the talkative variety and is rarely void of words to say. Sensing something wasn’t normal, I pulled up to the stop light and glanced in the back seat. My glance was met with sad eyes and an equally sad spirit.

“What’s wrong, sweetie?”

“I’m just feeling sad and disappointed, Mom.”

“Why? What happened hon?”

“She gave her gift away.”

“Who did? What gift?”

“That girl we were standing in front of in line inside the building…the one wearing clothes that show her stomach, her thighs, her bottom, her back, and her chest. Her body is supposed to be a special gift for only her husband, Mom, but she gave her gift away to everyone. It just made me feel sad inside, so I prayed for her to realize what she is doing.”

The conversation with my child that day impacted me in a huge way and made me look at the topic of modesty through a whole new set of eyes. My sweet child was right that day; our bodies are meant to be the temple of the Holy Spirit and a gift only to be unwrapped by our husband. The female body is so powerful and the message we are sending with what we are wearing {or not wearing} should never be taken lightly. God is a god who forgives and is able to purify us from our past choices.

It is my sincere hope and prayer that we would choose today to sever the ties we have with this world and any lies we may be believing about our bodies and the impact our choices have on those around us. If we were a brand new groom on our wedding night, would we want to “unwrap” the gift of our new bride’s body, knowing that it has been willingly given away and “devoured” by many more men before us? Or would we hope that we were the only one who has ever and will ever have the privilege of seeing and enjoying this precious gift?

Next time we are about to leave the house, may we choose to take that extra 30 seconds to glance in the mirror and ask ourselves honestly, “Am I giving my gift away?”

Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful

woman without discretion.

Proverbs 11:22

Comments (18)

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Kudzi · 524 weeks ago

Powerful stuff. You're doing a great job with your kids. God bless x

1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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thejoyfilledwife 62p · 524 weeks ago

Thanks, Kudzi. God is so faithful to water the seeds we plant for Him.

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FREEINDEED! · 524 weeks ago

Out of the mouths of babes. . .

I am always so amazed at the wisdom that comes from the innocent heart. I like to tell people that's why we homeschool - so I don't miss out on all that my children have to show me :)

Blessings to you today, JFW.

1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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thejoyfilledwife 62p · 524 weeks ago

I feel the same way, FreeIndeed! I was just telling another mom I met at the park the other day that I feel like my children teach me much more than I ever teach them!

Great to hear from you, friend.

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Shelah · 524 weeks ago

Thank you so much for this..... especially as we head into warmer weather and the customary "disrobing" of the general public.

1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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thejoyfilledwife 62p · 524 weeks ago

It really is sad, isn't it? My husband always says that our modesty standards shouldn't change with the weather or the water. I learned recently that the body stays coolest in hot weather you wear breathable fabrics that cover the body versus very little clothing. The sun penetrates the skin that way and causes your body temperature to rise. I learned this from people who live in a very hot tropical climate and that's common knowledge. Not covering your skin in sunny hot weather is very detrimental.

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Lady Virtue · 524 weeks ago

What a great post! TJFW, your daugher sounds like a wise girl on the way to becoming a wise woman.

1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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thejoyfilledwife 62p · 524 weeks ago

Thank you, Lady Virtue. This particular child of mine is quite young, but has the heart and mind of someone much older. I believe the Lord is going to use them in a big way as they grow up.

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Carolin Martens · 524 weeks ago

I enjoyed the article, but sat here pondering the question of what to do in the case of bathing suits. My girls are going to a family type resort that is all swimming based. They are to tall and thin for a one piece so we have to settle for 2 piece. Not much material to those things.

3 replies · active 524 weeks ago

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Lori Alexander 122p · 524 weeks ago

Board shorts and tankini top! It's what I wear and love.

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thejoyfilledwife 62p · 524 weeks ago

Carolin,

I am tall and thin myself, so I understand your dilemma. Our philosophy in our household is that we don't change our modesty standards just because we're going to be in the water. I found that because of my height, even most board shorts were quite short on me and definitely not a length I would wear around town. I think that a well padded tankini top (so nothing shows through when cold and wet), board shorts, and one of those swim covers to just right above the knee works great for me. It provides enough coverage and modesty and looks really cute. Lots of compliments on that, and the material is fine for being in and around water.

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Abby · 524 weeks ago

Hi Carolin,
I have struggled with the issue of swimsuits for a long time (I wore one-pieces with board shorts growing up but the suits were always too low in front for me to feel comfortable. I have sewn some suits, but that is time consuming/difficult if you don't have experience. I currently work as a lifeguard/swim instructor, so I have had lots of practice finding suits that work. Here is an idea (it does take some shopping). I started with a bikini top and bottom for support and then went to Walmart and bought the exercise leggings (polyester material is actually far better than nylon for swimming and last lots longer) and an exercise shirt with cap sleeves (also polyester). I then made a swim skirt (front and back sewn together with elastic waist) to go over the leggings, but I have friends who have purchased these type of skirts also (just look for exercise type skirts in, again, polyester). This type of suit is definitely different from what you will see at most beaches and resorts, but it does provide pretty much full coverage. And you can make it look super cute. I have a black top and leggings with a sparkly blue skirt and little girls have told me that I look like a princess. Hope this gives you some ideas that might work!
-Abby

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Yolanda · 524 weeks ago

This is beautifully put. I am so proud of your daughter.

1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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thejoyfilledwife 62p · 524 weeks ago

Thank you, Yolanda!

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mmolesy · 524 weeks ago

Thats one smart girl trained well by some very wise parents.

1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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thejoyfilledwife 62p · 524 weeks ago

Thanks, mmolesy. God gets all the credit for His faithful guidance as we navigate the waters of parenthood. We are certainly not doing this perfectly, but it's a comfort to know that His power shines brightest in our weaknesses.

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Amy · 524 weeks ago

Wonderful training.

My daughter who is 10 took aside a teen and quietly told her that she was dressed in a dress so short that she could see her panties. She told her that she needed to care more about herself than that. The teen went home and changed her clothes.

1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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thejoyfilledwife 62p · 524 weeks ago

Your daughter has a bold and noble spirit, Amy. Even most adults wouldn't have the courage to do that.

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