Time for new clothes?

This morning, in my devotional, the author talked about a season of re-dressing. Specifically, he said, “This is a season for re-dressing. Choose your clothes carefully.” - Craig Cooney

I’ll be honest, I re-read that multiple times and still kept repeating it in my head. What does this mean for me? What does this look like?

Are we “dressing for success” for Jesus?

Maybe?

Since I couldn’t stop pondering it, I knew it was time to get out my prayer journal and do a deeper dive of my own.

Have you ever journaled to Jesus? I highly recommend it.

In fact, I recommend it so much that I published my own prayer journal, in hopes of making it feel less intimidating to some, and even enjoyable. (I can link it at the end of this post if you're interested.)

I find that when I reach for my prayer journal and begin by thanking Jesus for meeting me where I am, the words I didn’t even know were inside of me just start flowing.

And then I’m like, Wow.I just had a deep, insightful conversation with Jesus, where (more times than not) He shines a light on something I’ve been wrestling with or simply wanting to go deeper on.

I wish I could say I prayer journal every day. I really should. If I did, I might have answers to everything.

(JK JK.)

Anyway, back to the topic of re-dressing.

What I always remind myself when reading a devotional is this: the words are just a direction, a suggestion. The person writing it didn’t craft it just for me. The author didn’t say, “This is for Samantha and only Samantha,” because (hopefully) I’m not their only reader.

A devotional is there to get your mind wondering. Wondering how this fits into your life, not your neighbor’s life or your spouse’s life, but yours.

in fact, when my son accepted Jesus as his Savior last summer, I told him:“Now is the time to explore what your relationship with Jesus will look like. Your prayer time, your spiritual connections, and the way Jesus works through you, it will be unique to YOU. It won’t look like it does for me or your locker buddy. Jesus intentionally made us all vastly different, and your relationship with Him will be something special between Kaleb and Jesus.”

That’s why I feel so passionate about prayer journaling. Not only is it a way to connect with Jesus in the comfort of your own words, but it’s also a way to build a relationship that no one else can touch or replicate.

...and that was a TED Talk I was not planning to give in this post.

“Squirrel” distractions are a real thing. LOL.

So, this re-dressing... again. What purpose and intent does that have for me? What direction is Jesus pointing me with that powerful sentence?

I asked Him. In my journal. And in being very vulnerable, this is part of what I wrote:

“Jesus, thank you for meeting me here this morning. This devotion about re-dressing and choosing my clothes carefully really stuck out to me. I want to lean into this with You.

There are many gifts You’ve given me that I haven’t tried on yet. Some I believe haven’t even been discovered. But I am ready. I am ready to drape myself in the threads You’ve set aside for me.

Show me what they are. What are they made of? What colors have You prepared for me to wear?

Jesus, I want to do Your work. I especially want to please You as a wife, mother, and daughter in Christ… but ALSO with the talents You’ve given me as a creative. I can be so much through You and for You. I believe You gave me an incredible testimony because You want it shared across the world.

Show me what clothes to put on. Layer them appropriately. Sew the pieces together into a patchwork of all the ways I can serve You.

Let the seams and stitches show, so others can see where You have so beautifully stitched me back together.

Take the old, tattered fabrics and discard the ones that are no longer meant for me. But keep the ones that still hold value and put them to good use. Nothing You’ve ever done is wasted.

Show me the pieces meant for layering and draping. What pieces are meant to show? Which ones are simply meant to mend another? Which ones are made for warmth and personal growth where no one will see? And which are made to be seen, made to be bright and colorful to bring joy to someone else?

Jesus, I understand and believe that what we’re clothed in has purpose and power.

Hold my hand and lead me to be clothed in YOU.

In Jesus’ name...”

Did that take a turn for you, too?

Gosh, what I love so much about talking to Jesus this way is the unpolished honesty that flows from my heart. I didn’t use big words or check if I had complete sentences, yet the most profound thoughts came out… right there on the paper. Jesus shined His light on what this devotion could mean for me, and I love that.

I also loved the message I received from Him about the fabrics.

The layering. The tattered. The purpose. The pieces meant to share, and the ones that are just for warmth.

The sentence I shared in the beginning, “This is a season for re-dressing. Choose your clothes carefully.”...for me, it means being open to new clothes, but also remembering that God might be repurposing my “old” ones. And honestly, I’m okay with that.

My old clothes tell a story. They made me who I am today. I’ve never been one to shy away from sharing them. But I also understand that some of them I can completely part with. I’ve outgrown them, and that’s okay. They served a purpose in their time, and I’m forever grateful for that.

I’m a visual person IRL. And I LOVE color. When someone asks me my favorite color, I can never choose just one, it changes with the season.

So for me? I’m excited to try on new clothes! I’m excited to discover my new favorite color in this season—or heck, even just today! Jesus might have me in turquoise cotton today, and neutrals in sheer fabric tomorrow. And it wouldn’t surprise me if He stitched those together someday and turned them into a beautiful new cloak.

Friends, Jesus has a unique message and a fabric for each of us today.

Maybe this whole “re-dressing” idea means something entirely different for you. Maybe it’s time to ask.

Blessings on your weekend,

Samantha

https://a.co/d/hWGXD2a <--- prayer journal