Skip to main content

Fall Fashions for Your Heart (How do I look? part 2)

It's time to put away the shorts and t-shirts and get out the mittens and hats. I'm going to have to lock up the sandals since little Missy doesn't understand why she can't wear them when there is frost on the grass. There are a few items I'm reluctant to put away too. I love my capris, but it's just too cold for them these days.

So, I'm wondering, are there some items that we've been wearing on our hearts that need to be put away too? Some heart clothing that needs to be undated or thrown away? Have we been wearing bitterness, pride, or jealousy down there? If we ask the designer of our hearts, "How do I look?" what would He say? If it's time for a heart makeover, let's go clothes shopping first!

Colossians 3:12-17 gives us some other clothing that our heart should be wearing. What kind of character makeover does your heart need? Let’s begin with dressing our inner person with beauty and work our way outward.
Compassion- tender sympathy. How do I look? Am I caring and sympathetic? Am I sincerely concerned about others?
Kindness – benevolent action. How do I look? Do I actually do something to help someone in need? Who have I been kind to this week?
Humility – a lowly attitude toward God. How do I look? Am I reverencing God in my daily attitudes and actions? Do I trust Him to be the One sovereign God?
Gentleness – meekness, a lowly attitude toward others. How do I look? Is there pride in my life that needs to be cut out? Do I place the needs of others before my own?
Patience – self-restraint. How do I look? Are my frustrations and irritations controlling me or am I in control of my emotions? Can I face disappointment and frustration with a peaceful attitude?
Bearing with each other – Am I patient with others’ failures? Am I understanding of weaknesses and imperfections? Do I give grace to others?
Forgiveness – Do I carry grudges or do I forgive graciously and freely?
Love – The most beautiful characteristic of all. Love is what ties our beautiful outfit together. Without love, our ensemble would be lacking.

I hope as you do your fall shopping, you will remember to do some heart shopping as well. Get rid anything ugly and replace it with true beauty.

Comments

Denise said…
I love, love, love this post. I also love you my friend.
I loved both of these posts! Season changes is always a good time to examine our hearts along with our clothing.

I guess were kind of fortunate here, we never have to put away the sandals. The pool is warm enough to swim in but neglect the last few days have left it green :)

Thanks for the timely reminder. It goes along perfect w/ the message I heard last night from Beth Moore. God must be telling me something.
Unknown said…
Love both of these posts! It's so easy to get caught up in the expectations of the world instead of our Lord. Thanks for sharing!

Popular posts from this blog

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Phillip Yancey

Shannon, at Rocks in my Dryer , is hosting a huge giveaway! Isn't that exciting! I love to give something meaningful to my friends - as I shop, I always look for just the right item that fits our relationship and the individual's personality. So, if you stop by this little blog of mine, I think you might like this gift I've picked out. This fall, I have been nourished by the wisdom of Phillip Yancey in his recent book on prayer. Our Bible study has plumbed the depths of prayer with Yancey's help in this amazing book. My personal prayer life has been challenged and I have probed the deeper questions surrounding prayer with a beloved mentor. I would love for you to enjoy this book too. I'll be giving the book away to one blessed commenter. So, leave a comment here and I'll be drawing a name next week to give away this treasure box full of well-mined jewels from God's Word and life's experiences. Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered in the draw...

Thankful Thursday

A few things that fill my heart with gratitude... *Bright explosions in the sky *Bug repellent *Calamine and band aids for when we forget about the bug repellent (and the polka dot girl I put to bed each night whose sensitive skin seems to attract the little suckers) *Days spent at the beach *Life jackets *Aloe, although it can't take away a lobster red sunburn, it does soothe *Photographs and memories *The public library. My family has been enjoying plenty of summer library programs. *Ok, I'm even thankful for cockroaches. The kids sure had fun playing with the huge ones the "Bug Guy" Brought in for the last program we attended. They even ate a few bugs. (I am NOT joking!) I, on the other hand, found it conveniently necessary to excuse myself to the restroom right around the time the roaches and tarantulas were being brought out. *I'm thankful for a new job...which will be starting soon (more on that later). *Green slime, explosions, goggles and lab coats...yes,...

God's Encouragement

I am thankful this week for so much, but I have to share my little piece of encouraging news first. I submitted a little article to our newspaper and then I found out they don't accept unsolicited submissions, so I forgot all about it. Then, in our paper today, I saw my article! It was a little encouragement from God to keep plowing away at this writing thing even when it seems difficult. He is so tender-hearted toward me, I feel overwhelmed! I'm also thankful for the world class concert I attended today. I would have paid top notch prices for this concert which played out in a small bedroom with a karaoke. The first artist was a young singer who wrote her own music (straight from her heart) and the song was something about glorifying God by loving Him in all we do. She sang as she danced about in her ballerina costume. Next up was a short toucan with a toddler face peeping out and a loud voice. His arms moved to the music as he told us "My God is so big, so stwo...