“If it ain’t the softest cotton and it ain’t washable, it ain’t happenin'”
That’s my motto when clothes shopping. And though sometimes I get lured in by cute synthetics and high maintenance fabrics, I know that I won’t really wear it unless it fits those two criteria.
One, because life’s too short to spend time washing things by hand (in my biased opinion) and two, because comfortable will always trump classy in my book. (Much, I’m sure, to the chagrin of onlookers. 🙂 )
As I’ve been thinking a little more about the phrase “garment of praise” I can only imagine the softest, lightest, billowy piece of cotton clothing available. Whether I’m singing or dancing or praying or laughing with Jesus, that praise fits comfortably and moves freely, to be worn no matter what I’m doing at any given moment. Even when I’m struggling or hurting, it’s something that I can slip into, this one-size-many-styles-fits-all garment. And when I do, something happens to me. Like a magic robe, it eases my tension, adjusts my attitude and changes my perspective on the situation. Hmmmm…maybe this “garment of praise” could be considered a “shift” – def. – verb – “to move or cause to move from one place or position to another”; noun – “an underskirt or dress with little shaping” 🙂 i.e. A loose piece of clothing AND something that causes me to change. I think I like that!
I also mulled over the idea of “clothed in righteousness”. There is nothing more irritating than ruining a piece of clothing because I thought it was washable. Or accidentally throwing something red in with a load of whites and having all my husband’s underwear come out pink. But in the “washing machine” of God’s incredible forgiveness, mercy and grace, I don’t have to worry about throwing my “stuff” in with all that He’s laundering. Because He’s told me it’s ALL washable! And the only bleeding of colors was done at the cross where HIS blood became the ultimate stain remover and bleach alternative. Every load comes out “white as snow”. There is no special care label on any of it. It’s all dirty whether it’s as small as an ink mark or soaked in mud. And it is absolutely ALL washable.
So today, I will enjoy my comfortable clothing of “praise” with the full knowledge that, by the grace of God, I am dressed in white…
Isaiah 61:3, 10 – To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory…I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.
Isaiah 1:18 – “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
