Modesty is about respecting yourself and those around you.  It’s not about cramping your style.  Modesty is not a swear word!  As a doting and protective aunt to some very beautiful tween girls and some rad tween boys and a “big sis” to some fabulous teens at my church, I get pretty fired up about topics relating to youth.  Modesty is one of those hot button ones for both parents and youth, so when I saw this I wanted to share it.  Jessica Rey has some good things to say no matter which end of the spectrum you are on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJVHRJbgLz8

I know that it can be tough for teens.  They are trying to figure out who they are, what they want to do with their lives, what they really believe all at the same time as their bodies are changing and their hormones are running rampant.  They have pressure from all sides.  From Friends.  Teachers.  Parents.  The world at large.  People call it the greatest time of your life, and maybe for some people that’s true.  But for many  it’s a really awkward and rough stretch.

Parents….your young people need some freedom to explore various clothing and hair styles within some reasonable boundaries of course. Cut them a break if they want to dye their hair some florescent color or cut in some strange style. It’s hair and it will grow back. Choose your battles based on what really matters. If girls want to wear Chucks with a dress…so what. Is the dress covering what it needs to cover? That’s the battle to fight, not the style or color of the dress or shoe choice. It’s also in for boys to wear neon skinny jeans. I don’t get it, but as long as their pants are pulled up, I’d consider that a success. I personally detest the dropped pants look on anyone, but if a kid wants to look foolish well, they’re going to do it. In my opinion, full grown adult men should NOT wear skinny jeans. Seriously men….don’t do it! EVER! But I don’t want to get started on that.

Young people…please be respectful of your parents. Example, if they’re taking you to a nice restaurant, dress appropriately. You can dress appropriately within your style. Some compromise goes a long long way here. I’d recommend not doing anything permanent to your body until you’re at least 25….i.e. tattoos. Who you are at 25 will probably be a long way from how you are at 13, 17 or 19 years of age. I’m not against tattoos at all. But seriously guys, do you really think you’re going to want SWAG tattooed on your chest when you’re 30? And ladies, you may dig One Direction now…but in 5 years, you really will have moved on from Harry Styles.  I know it may seem cool now, but taking a few days to really think about something you cannot undo is wisdom.

Young ladies….There are ways to try out different clothing styles within the boundaries of modesty. You can be develop your personal style and fashion and still be modest. You do not need to wear a see through top and a skirt that barely covers your butt to be fashionable. All that look will do is make you a target for negative attention from the types you don’t want attention from. Not to mention that it tempts the decent guys out there, and they’ve got enough to deal with…just like you.

Young men….Modesty isn’t as big of an issue for y’all as it is for the ladies, but dressing appropriate still applies. There’s a link below that addresses you guys better than I could.  Please keep this in mind little brothers, people will not take you seriously with the dropped pants look. Please do yourself a favor and just pull your pants up.

All ladies….No matter what age or size you are it is difficult to take someone seriously with their boobs and/or butt hanging out. If your top has a low neckline wear a cami or a tank under it. Seriously. Even though I try to give people grace about what they wear, I have a hard not time thinking less of someone who dresses immodestly at work, church or at any business I shop at. If I’m having a hard time taking you seriously, you can be assured I’m not the only one. I don’t care what style you prefer to dress in, your style’s not the point. Your modesty is the point.

I’ll leave you with this… God made you beautiful ladies. Gentlemen, God also made you in His image.  Modesty is not about covering up what God made and hiding who you are. It’s about treating yourself with respect because you are worth respecting.

Again, modesty is not about hiding your body. Your body isn’t bad or wrong! Your body is beautiful! So beautiful in fact that the Holy Spirit has chosen to live there: I Corinthians 6:19, “Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.”

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