Devotionals

---

Judging Teen Covers
©
by

Stephen A. Peterson


Hurrying, apparently to get to class on the campus of Oklahoma State University—Oklahoma City, a young looking woman crossed my path. “Sir, excuse me. Please, can you tell me what time it is?” As I flexed my arm to check my watch, I gasped, thinking: “Oh, geez! She’s losing her pants! Her underwear are showing!” Then another young woman approached, and I saw that her pants were falling in just the same way. I thought that perhaps it must be the style among college women this school year 2004-2005.

Stunned I felt relieved that I did not immediately blurt out my thoughts. I gave the young women the time then walked on. While walking towards the campus library, I thought, “Why on earth would these two women think they look attractive? They, though pretty, look so sloppy. Who could possibly think they are appealing?” I stopped in mid-thought; remember when a woman asked one of my Native American colleagues and me, “Are you two related in some way?” We were astonished and protested, “No!” wondering how she could mistake a 6’4” oval faced, skinny, olive colored skinned fellow and a much shorter woman of a tribe native to Oklahoma. Recently, I found a college picture of myself in shoulder length hair. I laughed out loud. With longer hair, I did appear to look like my colleague.

Now I told myself, “A person does not have to like their styles. Teens and young adults are generally trying to develop a sense of who they are. They are generally trying to blend in and at the same time figuring out who they are as individuals.” I recalled that both young women were polite. They both said to me “Sir” and said “Please” and “thank you”. As young women continued to walk on the campus, another young woman caught with them dressed identically (to my eyes) in a flannel blouse with torn jeans, I smiled. Styles come and go occasionally re-appearing at times in the future. Politeness is eternal. The young women carried the schoolbooks but on this day I had learned an important and valuable lesson—not to coldly judge young people simply on dress, although I do not approve of provocative dress. God still loves ALL of His children and knows their imperfections. The Lord calls us to do the same.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE