As y’all know, homegirl and I have been getting our Say Yes to the Dress on, and this night is no different. We snuggle up under {relatively} clean sheets and watch an episode featuring a bride and her particularly opinionated “friends.” After getting a feel for the bride’s taste in dresses, a store consultant brings her a strapless drop waste number with ruffles and rosettes playing along the skirt. The bride slips into the dress and turns around to see herself in the floor length mirror. One look and she lights up like the sky on the 4th of July. Indeed, the dress does fit her like it was made for her. She twirls. She gushes. She glows. She digs this dress and then some.
The bride beams as she sashays out to her entourage. Smiling bigger than Dallas, she enthusiastically asks, “Well? What do you think?” And that’s when the posse’s ringleader knocks the wind right out of her sails:
“What do I think? I think it looks like a kid’s art project.”
That is, he thinks the dress looks cheap and thrown together. He thinks a lot of other things too, and he doesn’t hesitate to tell her. He carries on, and her countenance falls. Her other friends didn’t join his diatribe, but they didn’t speak up for her or her choice, either. {And sometimes, isn’t silence the loudest voice of all?} They just sat and stared. Pretty soon, it’s obvious this bride will be saying no to the dress.
It’s silly, but my heart hurt for her. Have you ever said no to something you wanted to have or wanted to do simply because loud voices around you criticized it? Heaven knows I have. It’s easy to buy into others opinion of what you should or shouldn’t be doing.
I don’t know what project the Lord has placed on your heart, what brave new thing you are diving into, or what creative endeavor you are chewing on. But I do know you have that thing you love to do that makes you grin bigger than Dallas. I also know others may praise you for it or slam you because of it. Or not say anything at all as they sit and stare at you. But know this in the depths of your heart: If you’ve prayerfully considered God’s wisdom in something and you feel Him leading you or your family in this direction, then by all means choose it. Run towards it, twirling and sashaying your little heart out. Don’t let the too-loud voices of others turn your couture idea into a kid’s art project. {Unless, of course, your fab ideas are great kid projects!} It may be just what God has chosen for you.
I also read a post this morning about purging toxic things and people from our lives. I think this gal needs some new encouraging friends!
Perhaps? It convicted me not to place my personal opinions on other people, especially when their choice seems a good fit {even if it wouldn’t be my own choice}. Who knew a show about dresses could be so thought provoking? Heh.
Lovely friend just what I needed to hear. Been writing on the potential impact of the kony 2012 viral campaign and what it means to love our enemies. Been met with love and some not love 😉 but this sail is catching His wind regardless- Thank you for some precious fresh air encouragement.
“This sail is catching His wind regardless” ~ Michele, that’ll preach! Love that. And you know, I wondered how that whole debate affected those {like yourself} in the trenches. I’m checking out your words in 3, 2, 1…
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Kristen, I love reading your posts. Thanks for encouraging me!
Thanks so much, Jennifer.
THANK YOU, Kristen!!! I love the freedom that comes with just looking right at God and letting Him alone lead me on the path of His will!! And that smile the size of Dallas…mmm. I want that. I live in Dallas so I know how big that smile would be ;). Here’s to saying no to grown-up peer pressure! Here’s to living out of confidence, not criticism!
“Here’s to saying no to grown-up peer pressure.” ~ I say yes to that! So well said.
Oh, so true…
Especially from my grown children critizing me, my decisions and choices for my ‘grown up’ life!
God has give me a new direction, and I ‘m following it. One of my daughters even said to me “I just don’t know who you are”.
Oh, how I love you, Kristen. This Wisconsin girl needed a little slap in the right direction today. Those criticizing voices have, sadly, all been coming from my own head lately – and you’ve reminded me those are as bad as the nasty bridesmaids. Your encouragement blesses me! Have a wonderful weekend!
Oh dear ~ those voices in our heads? Worse than the meanest of the mean bridesmaids. You bless me wildly, Becky. Thank you!
Love, love this! Those of us who are people pleasers need to hear this and hear this. Thank you for the reminder and the encouragement to sail on!
Maureen, you *know* I have to hear it more than anyone. So thankful for you, friend.
Thank you, Kristen. I have been debating on a course of action and holding back for fear of “what might people say.” None of us wants to receive such treatment as you describe. Prayerfully, Monday, I will move forward . . . asking God to open doors if it is the right direction or close them if not. Thank you for encouraging words.
What a great post. It’s definitely too easy to get caught up in what others are telling us we should/shouldn’t do. Thank you for the reminder that we shouldn’t buy into what others think (unless it’s good Godly counsel of course).
SOOOO true! I always need to hear this…I hate to be the one that others say “well isn’t she strange”, or I imagine they might! I’m getting ready to see an old friend that already lives by your story. She is 100% herself. I’ve always admired her and want to be 100% myself!