What Not to Wear

One of my favorite shows on cable is TLC's "What Not to Wear" with Stacey and Clinton. I've learned a lot about how to dress, and what goes together. You will have to judge if I've actually succeeded in dressing well.

I don't very often get peeved, nor do I very often rant, but this is one time I think I probably should, though I realize I am preaching to the choir.

Personally, I don't care what people wear to church. I think worship should be inviting and people should come in whatever clothing they wish to wear. God doesn't look at the clothes, God looks at our hearts.

But weddings and funerals are different! Over the past few weeks, I've had several funerals and a couple of weddings, so this is fresh in my mind. It just breaks my heart to see men walk into a wedding in jeans and an open shirt. This is someone's most important day of their life, and they are going diss them by showing up like a slob? Women aren't always a lot better, but for some reason most women care about how they look. There are a few exceptions. Sadly, some women dress as if they are hoping to pick up someone at the reception and take them home. A little modesty would go a long way.
I've seen every kind of attire, and it really irks me. Jesus once told a parable about a wedding feast and someone actually got thrown out of the wedding feast because they didn't have on the right clothing. I wish we did that sometimes.

And funerals ... it is almost worst there. Funerals are to honor the deceased. They are to be supportive of the families, and they are supposed to be signs of respect. Yet again, untrained, uneducated or oblivious people walk into funeral homes and churches dressed like they are going to the beach. Where's the respect in that? Where's the sense that this is a solemn moment? It used to be (and this was way before my time, so it's not just that I am getting old) that when a funeral procession went by, people would stop what they were doing, they stood still and took off their hats, while the hearse passed by. Now, people cut in and out through funeral processions like it's just so much traffic. I've seen cars put on their high beams and flashers to join a procession, just to ride through red lights, and then once clear of the intersection, they turn off their lights and speed by.

I don't know how we could share some instructive word with our "unchurched" and ill-trained friends, but for Pete's sake people. Dress up a little bit for the sake of others. Tell them, "It's not about YOU!" Weddings and funerals are about others. It's about those whom we say we care about!

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now, and go back to being Mr. Nice Guy.