Put some clothes on!
Posted by Lisa on Feb 17, 2012 | 2 comments
I sound like an old woman don’t I?
But you’ve seen her too and probably thought the same thing.
Pass by a middle school or high school just before or after school and you’ll see her.
It can be 40 degrees outside (which is cold by Houston standards) and you’ll see her with skin exposed, wearing flip flops sashaying her way to school. Yes I said sashaying.
In my head I run down what I think happened. Her mom insisted she put on real clothes but lost the battle on that particular morning. Or maybe mom had left for work already and had no clue her daughter left for school wearing little of nothing. Or maybe mom told her she looked hot (hey it happens).
A friend of mine volunteers at a middle school and she gave me another reason why teen girl living in an affluent suburb is near naked in 40 degree weather. “Lisa,” she said, “Some of these girls don’t have clothes to cover up with.”
Silence.
I had never considered given the demographic of the area that not having a jacket or even a hoodie was the issue.
Sashaying then becomes a coping mechanism to deal with the cold; deal with the fact that my parent(s) can’t afford to buy me anything proper for cooler weather so therefore I walk with attitude to shut people up.
Not a scenario I’d even considered. Once upon a time, we had a teenage daughter in middle school so I’m very familiar with the coat fight.
A couple of scriptures come to mind. One of them says that man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:17). Then Jesus tells us not to judge, condemn or criticize one another (Matthew 7:1-3).
As you head into the weekend remember not to judge too quickly. It may be nothing like you supposed. And I know it’s easy to do. We’ve accumulated a bit of knowledge, seen patterns and we quickly assess what we see. We judge it based on prior experience and engage that person based on what we’ve perceived…not what we actually know. That’s why discernment is so important.
So the next time you see near naked teen girl on her way to school on a cold Houston day, it could be she’d put some clothes on if she had them.
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I know as single mom what it is like to struggle as seasons change and kids are growing trying to find money for new items.
I am also now raising a busty teen who has to come to terms with her own body and how comfortable she is with showing off what where and when. I can’t make her dress like me. Well I could but it would not serve her long term purpose. I have to lovingly lead.
She is learning and growing. I do think those who can afford it should offer to take a woman they think is improperly dressed out shopping or over for coffee. Not to judge and preach at them. To listen and be a blessing, read between the lines of things not said.
Find out what they are thinking and craving in their lives. Find out who loves them and who notices them. It will silence and hopefully activate the inner critics.
ToscaSac, my friend who volunteers at the school did just that…she took a hoodie and gave it to the counselor to give to her. It just goes to show that we don’t always know the reason why. Jesus was so wise in telling us to hold off judgement. He even told some folk, “when I was naked you didn’t clothe me.” Let’s take care of one another.
Thanks for sharing.