Dressing For Success

 

As I was growing up, my wardrobe was much less to be desired. I never had the trendy stuff until about 13 years old. My Dad at that time had gotten a lucrative position and was able to purchase new clothing for all four of us (Dad, Mom, Brother & Myself). And the trendy stuff I received was far and few between. I remember receiving hip hugger bell bottoms and body suits -- body suits are the teen version of onesies. Remember the snaps to close the bottom of the tops, so the tops wouldn't come above and over the waist or hip of the pants. I remember owning Wallaby's (shoes) and Ditto Saddle Back Pants. I wore Puka shells. Now that I think of it, I don't know how that worked, since I wasn't allowed to wear jewelry -- maybe it was acceptable because it was a string of God made shells. I know I wasn't allowed to wear turquoise jewelry, but was mesmerized by all the tanned girls who did wear it. All I remember is that I barely had enough clothing to get through my school week. I was always trying to find ways to wear the same pants, but had a fairly adequate amount of tops -- to make it look like I had a new and different outfit everyday. I used to admire the girls who seemed to wear a new outfit every single day. It was only once in a while you would see them wear an item twice in a month. It wasn't until I got my first job out of high school that I was able to buy enough clothes for the week and beyond. To this day, my closet is packed with clothing, shoes and accessories.

As an adult, I could buy my own clothes and did the best I could to be properly attired. Because I worked in business, I had to make sure I looked the part. I didn't spend a lot on clothes, but I looked professional. It wasn't until after I started having babies that I gained a lot of weight and had to figure ways to look professional with limited choices that were inexpensive. I remember after having my daughter, it was hard for me to buy stuff for myself. My kids were my priority for spending. So my clothes were looking less professional with each day. 

This was during a time I was a legal secretary. I worked for a family member. I remember one time, the entire family had gone to a day at Disneyland. My then sister in law had paid for my kids and family to go with them or we wouldn't have been able to afford such a luxury. While I was walking ahead with my family, I overheard my employer family member who I worked for maliciously talking about me to other family members. He was making fun of what I had chosen to wear to Disneyland and then told them that can you believe, she will sometimes wear that to work. I was so embarrassed to hear him discussing me in such a derogatory manner. I later told my sister in law that I had overheard what my employer family member had been discussing regarding my clothes. I explained to her how I tried to provide for my kids first and hadn't realized what I wore to work was inappropriate or offensive to him. She saw my tears and embarrassment. I told her I just couldn't afford to buy new business apparel that would fit me. She told me, she didn't even respond to his criticism, but that she was going to help me in upgrading my wardrobe. 

The next day, she took me to JC Penneys and bought me the most beautiful suits, shoes, undergarments, hosiery, purse and accessories. She told me that this was my Christmas gift from her and her husband.  I remember she spent an alarming amount of money on me.  She had me pick out my dresses/suits and had me try each one on and commented so positively with each one I tried on. My sister in law had always been my greatest cheerleader during a very dark time in my life. She was kind and generous to everyone. She loved the Lord immensely and served Him well throughout her long life. I loved her to pieces for many reasons too long to write. When I showed up to work dressed so business like, he asked me why I hadn't dressed so professionally before; I told him because I couldn't afford to. I told him, I knew how I had to dress, but I just didn't have the funds to be able to -- I also told him I had heard what he had said about me to other family members and how embarrassed I was. He then saw my hurt and profusely apologized that I had overhead him talking about me. Life moved forward, but it was because of the generosity of my sister in law that from that point forward, I made it a point to always look professional on my job.

I also had a coworker who always dressed so beautifully and professional. This was during the time I was an Administrative Assistant for a school district. She was a Principal. I would always compliment her style of business attire when she would come into my office. She told me that she loved coming into my office, because I had a way to make her feel beautiful and good about herself. I noticed that she had lost a lot of weight and was buying a new wardrobe. I told her again how lovely she looked since losing her weight, but thought she was always beautiful. One day she came into my office carrying several bags of clothing. She told me that she knew that I loved how she dressed and she wanted to give me her larger wardrobe so I could enjoy the clothing for myself. I offered to buy them from her and she said absolutely not. All her larger clothes were high quality designer labels and some of the most beautiful items of clothing I had ever seen. I remember when I started wearing them to work, all the compliments I would receive from other coworkers. I told them how my coworker had gifted many of the dresses I was wearing to me. They thought I was so fortunate to receive such a gift. This coworker actually influenced how I dress to this day. Her clothes were very professional, but very comfortable. They could easily be interchanged to become casual wear as well. She also used to accessorize so nicely, so I picked up on how to accessorize for myself. Again, I'll never forget this woman and her generosity to me.

I mention these two ladies in particular as I really feel that God had his hand in my life with these two ladies and they became His vessels. They were both woman of God. They never tore me down and were constantly lifting me up with their positivity. I loved them both immensely.

Matthew 6:25-33 --  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?'