Modesty. A Hallmark of an LDS woman. It has been something I have been thinking about a lot lately.
I wanted to share a funny expereince I had in Walmart a few months ago. I was shopping with my kids and I wandered by the swim suits. As I was looking through them a group of about 5 teenage girls came over and were looking through the racks. One of them held up a swim suit to herself and said to another "well?" to which the other said "Remember...MODEST IS THE HOTTEST". Then they all laughed and moved on to another section of the store. As they walked away I noticed that each of them were dressed modetly (granted it was Febuary). I honestly wanted to run up and hug them all. To tell them that I was PROUD of them for encouraging eachother to be modest. I wanted to call and congratulate their mothers for teaching them modesty. I will never forget that saying for as long as I live. It will be a story I relate to my own daughter as she grows.
I was reminded of a talk I heard by Susan Bednar when I was at Ricks college on modesty. It really does reflect a respect for our bodies and for our relationship with the Lord. Its a GREAT talk. Here is the link http://www.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/MiscellaneousAddresses/2001_09_16_Bednarsusan.htm
I remember being in high school. I never felt very pretty or attractive and I SURE never understood the way my dress affected boys. But I do remember the first time I went to school in my Cheerleading Uniform. I remember being a naieve Sophmore in that tiny little skirt. I remember walking by a bench full of Senior boys who said somethings I will not repeat. I did not feel attractive.....I felt dirty and used. What was I supposed to do??? I had to wear that uniform to school every game day. It was awkward and because I had been raised in house where modesty was expected it was difficult for me.
I also remember a night I was heading out the door to a school dance. I had just bought this hot pink shirt that I LOVED. It was really tight...but it was long enough, had a high neckline, and it had sleeves so I thought It was fine. My brother matt passed me at the top of the stairs. He stopped dead in his tracks and told me to go and change. I was ANNOYED. But I changed...because if MY BROTHER noticed...surely other boys would. Sometimes I wanted to be noticed....but I'm glad that I had parents and a brother to look out for me.
Modesty is something our world think is old fashioned. But, it invites the spirit into our lives and reminds us to keep ourselves pure and clean. Its something I have recently rededicated myself to pay closer attention to.
