Polished Cornerstones

In family bible time, we have been studying Proverbs. Being in a family of 3 girls plus my mom and cousin, we were all excited to reach Proverbs 31. We went through the chapter, studying it in depth.  After we completed our study, Mom pulled out her copy of Polished Cornerstones, written by Pam Forster. If any of my readers own Polished Cornerstones, they know that it is setup by chapters such as “A Cheerful Woman” or “A Patient Woman”. Each chapter has verses and application activities. Mom recommended that we each choose an application activity from the chapter, “A Godly Woman”. I chose a study of cornerstones in comparison with Psalm 144, particularly verse 12, which reads, “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” (KJV)   

                I found that cornerstones are a foundational part of any structure. They connect two sides. They are often engraved, and sometimes contain a time capsule. In Psalms 118:2, Jesus is referred to as “the stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” (KJV) This verse is quoted in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, and 1 Peter. God knew that this was important. Jesus is mentioned again in Ephesians 2:20 as “the chief cornerstone”.

                From these facts and verses I have learned a few ways we as daughters can be “cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” First, if we are called cornerstones, then that means that we are a foundational part of our families, and ultimately the church. If we crumble, so will they. Secondly, just as a cornerstone is sometimes engraved with the builder’s name, so God has engraved his word on our hearts. Thirdly, a time capsule is meant to represent our time to another generation. God wants us as daughters to represent Him and be obedient to His commands for passing on God’s word and wisdom to the world. Finally, Jesus too is called a cornerstone, which means He is our ultimate example. What’s more, He is the author of the Bible, which means that the Bible is our ultimate reference book!

                Psalm 144:12 mentions cornerstones that are “polished after the similitude of a palace.” Think about Solomon’s palace.  The chosen cornerstone was probably sanded until it was perfectly smooth. Then it might have been overlaid with the finest and purest gold. In the same way, God chose us carefully and now sends us trials to make our character smooth. Someday in Heaven God’s holiness will overlay us.

                Recently I had the privilege to visit Washington D.C., our nation’s capitol. While we were there, we visited several memorials including the Thomas Jefferson memorial. As we were leaving we noticed a stone that was engraved. It was the cornerstone. Like the cornerstone, we can be overlooked, but God always sees us. He knew when He called us cornerstones that He was giving us a character description that would help us better understand our roles as daughters.  -Molly

A Discussion on Modesty: Part 2

Today we are posting part 2 of our discussion on modesty:

Q3: What is the line between fashionably feminine or gaudily beguiling?

Megan: First and foremost, I believe this is matter of the heart. I could have on the most conservative jean jumper in the world and still have an attitude that says I am fiercely independent. Whenever I start getting too obsessed with strict dos and don’ts of modesty, I have to go back and remind myself of the heart of modesty.

Taking this a step farther, I think the line is also related to our actions. No matter what we are wearing, we should have an attitude “…which is proper for women professing godliness…” (1 Timothy 2:10)


Amy: The difference between these two lies in what your heart attitude is and how you are perceived by other people. This doesn’t mean you can’t be fashionable, but you have to examine your heart and dress to make sure you are giving out the right image of a godly, modest young woman.“A girl is generally taken at her face value; that is she is thought to be just as she appears to be” (A beautiful Girlhood) When you are dressing fashionable feminine you are modest, dignified, and dress your age. People see this through your clothes and how you carry yourself.   Whereas when you are gaudily beguiling you are dressing to attract attention and can receive the wrong kind of attention.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 ~ In like manner also, that woman adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Q4: Do you have any resources that encouraged you?

Megan: Several :)… I've been engrossed in reading different opinions and visiting lots of online modest clothes stores. Here are some of my favorites…

The Modesty Survey This is an excellent resource that allows girls to see modesty (and immodesty) from a guy's perspective

Feelin Feminine This website stemmed from a group of girls who began holding monthly modesty challenges, where girls were challenged to wear skirts/dresses for 7 days. Now the website features articles on health and hygiene, hairdos, and modesty resources.

Swim Modest Melissa and I got suits here last year and really enjoyed them. They were very modest, but allowed us to move freely in the pool.

Matthew 5:14-16

 ¹⁴Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 ¹⁵Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
 ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

Megan: These verses remind and encourage me that my goal in dressing modestly is not to fulfill a checklist. Instead, my goal is to be a light to the world. Dressing modestly should not be an end in itself, it should be just one part of an image that points people to Christ.

 

Amy: The most important thing about modesty is to remember that everything we do needs to glorify god. If we truly love him then we will obey him and he has made it clear that we are to dress modestly. He has called us to be cities on a hill so that others will see the hope within us and seek our heavenly father.

I hope we have encouraged you through our thoughts on modesty. Please comment and share your thoughts and resources on modesty with us. We love hearing from our friends!!  -Megan 

A Discussion on Modesty

Today, Amy and I are co-posting an article on modesty. We have put this in question and answer format. Due to the length of the article, we will post half of it today, and half tomorrow. -Megan

Q1: Describe your past struggles and victories with modesty?

Megan: Several years ago, I made the decision to go skirts and dresses only. Unfortunately I made this decision based on what I thought the typical Christian girl looked like. Over the years I struggled with this "conviction" for a few reasons. One of them being, that I was trying to wear outfits based on a human checklist, rather than scriptural principles. I found myself feeling bad if I decided to wear a pair of pants, but not feeling right about a skirt/dress outfit that just didn’t go, but had to do. 

Last November, while reading one of my favorite blogs, Joyfully At Home (by Jasmine Baucham) I saw two articles labeled In Defense Of Pants and Modesty Update. Always interested in modesty, I decided to check it out. I was surprised to see that similarly to me, she had made the decision to go skirts and dresses only, but recently had reversed that decision. This surprised me and I found myself agreeing with much that she had to say.

As I read the article I was very impressed. She talked about how she had built herself into box of only wearing skirts/dresses, and as a result had sometimes come out looking a little 'grandmotherly'. At this point I totally agreed! How many times had I settled on an 'old-fashioned' look, rather than don a pair of the 'dreaded' jeans, which I was 100% sure were an 'immodest option'??

She referenced that her mom, although not 100% skirts is the most modest and feminine lady she knows. Again this resonated with me! My mom always looks beautiful and feminine even though she never wears skirts during the week. It's her attitude more than dress that makes a point.

Another feminine picture which I will never forget was my friend, Emily. She was the oldest in another home school family at a bible study I had attended. She was quiet, but as I look back I see her quiet feminine spirit in contrast with my prideful and somewhat show-off attitude. While she wore cute jeans or feminine capris, I wore dresses that made me look like I stepped out of the 19th century.  It reminded me of something my mom has told me, "You can be so modest that you can affect people's perception of Christianity in a negative way. By dressing in a more neutral way, people will notice not so much my overboard modesty look or my really immodest dress, rather I hope they will notice something different about my life that comes from the glow of Christ.

            I have come to a new understanding of modesty.  No longer do I walk out of my closet feeling guilty for wearing jeans or knowing that this skirt outfit doesn't necessarily work, but out of creativity, I just choose to make it work. I have finally realized that modesty is truly an attitude of the heart.

            I know that some girls can wear modest skirts and dresses all the time and still focus on the attitude of their heart. But in my family the focus was too much on the outward look and less focus on the inside when I wore skirts fulltime. I also realize that there are some families where the Dad and Mom are fully committed to the ladies dressing in modest skirts. That's okay.  I may one day be at that point, if my husband feels that is what the Lord is calling for us to do.

            Although the Lord has given me the conviction that so long as they are modestly loose and feminine jeans/pants are okay and sometimes much more practical. I still enjoying wearing my many skirts often, but now freely without a feeling of obligation.

Amy: I can only thank God that I have grown up with a mother who has always encouraged me to be modest. I have always struggled with being able to look at myself and see that maybe this is too short, the neck line is too low, or I’m not looking the way I should. But mom to the rescue!! She has always set an example for me both in her own dress and by her gentle correction of my own dress. Moms are one of the best resources about modesty, so if you have questions or you’re not sure about something you’re wearing, just ask.  Another thing I struggle with is fashion. I am a very fashionable person. I love to put together an outfit and look good. I also go to public school, so I feel peer pressure to look fashionable and have new clothes. For me this is something that can easily become an idol when I care too much about how pretty I look instead of how modest I look. It’s easy to forget this when you lose your focus of how God wants you to look and focus on how everyone sees you. Now it’s hard to think of my triumphs when I have so many short comings. I would have to say one of the triumphs I have is making immodest clothes modest. When I go out shopping it’s hard to find nice clothing that isn’t too low or too short. For my last birthday I received a set of Cami Secrets. They are inserts of cloth you can put under your shirt to make the neck line higher. I am so happy I made the decision to use them because I feel more comfortable knowing that I am covered. I am also blessed when I go shopping and come away with the things I need that fit a modest criterion. It brings home to me that fact that God does indeed provide and all we have to do is ask him.

 Matthew 6:28-34

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

What are some ways that girls can stay feminine while still staying comfortable?  

Amy:I often see women and girls who wear long skirts all the time and I think, “I can’t do that, but how can I still be feminine and modest?” While my life style and comfort preferences exclude wearing skirts and dresses 24/7 and I can still be feminine. I wear shorts and pants( when appropriate) but try always to make sure my appearance does not look masculine, I am modestly covered, and I do not draw undesired attention. I think it’s important that girls look feminine, that’s the way God made us, and why would we want to look any different?

Megan: There are several ways. I would suggest that you evaluate areas where you may be tempted to wear immodest clothes because they are not readily available. Oftentimes, with a little research I have been able to find a modest solution.

One example is when I started to walk and jog for exercise, my dad requested that I wear a pair of jeans or exercise pants, instead of my skirts and dresses. My dad, along with my mom, helped me fine clothes that were appropriate for the sport while still modest. Now I wear capris, instead of short shorts and a t-shirt instead of a tank top.  

Another example is bathing suits. My mom has helped us to locate a few modest options online and then allowed us to pick. We have also done plain swimsuits with boardshorts. With a little searching, we have found that it is possible to be modest at the pool.

I would encourage you to evaluate your wardrobe with your mom or dad. They will be able to help you figure out what is okay to wear and what may be pushing the line.  

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 thy God."

Wasn't that excellent? Although Megan and Amy have different perspectives, they came together to write this insightful article. What do you think? Do you have any helpful hints?Please let us know! Oh, and check back tomorrow, because they will be answering more questions. -Melissa

Summer Challenge Update - Week 1

Today, I (Megan) am going to recap our first week of the challenge (June 27-July 3).

Reading:

• Melissa and Amy are trying to expand their horizons by reading books from different genres. Last week Amy read a historical fiction, Princess Adelina.  Melissa read a non-fiction book, We Band of Angels. 
•  Molly chose a fiction book, Elsie Dinsmore.
• I chose a non-fiction book to complete my 300 pages. I read Make It Your Ambition by John Notgrass. I really enjoyed reading this book because it challenged me to re-evaluate my priorities and life goals based on scripture, rather than the world’s ideas. It was a well-thought out book, which reminded and encouraged me to glorify God in every area of my life.

Health:

• We have all kept up with drinking our water. Personally, this is one of favorite parts of the challenge, because we often turn it into a race to see who finishes their daily quota of water, before the others J

Exercise:

• Due to the warm weather that we have been experiencing lately, we chose to go swimming everyday last week as our form of exercise.

Memorization:

• Melissa, Molly, and Amy challenged themselves to memorize Ephesians 6:10-17.
• I have chosen to memorize Colossians 3, and got through verse 4.

Homemaking:

• Megan, Amy, and Molly teamed up to try a new meal. We made Oriental Chicken, Fried Rice, and Steamed Carrots. The meal was pretty good (if I do say so myselfJ)

That’s our update. We hope this will encourage you to join us. It’s never too late to join us, even if you can only participate in a portion of the challenge, or for a shorter amount of time. Please comment and say hi, we always love hearing from our friends!

-Megan