Humor

---

I love the 'Cathy' cartoons. I don't think there are many women who cannot relate to this poor hapless woman as she navigates life, love, parents, and of course, the neverending trends of fashion. Who hasn't laughed, cried, and sympathized with this cartoon character as she navigates everything from her job, her new marriage, her relationship with her mother, her 'mommyhood' with her pets, her diets, and each one of her forays into the ever changing world of fashion. From her desperation to find the perfect bathing suit to finding the perfect outfit to play up her not so perfect body type--well, I can relate. And I am no happier about the state of affairs than she is.

Just when they finally found the perfect jean, the one that absolutely looks great on EVERY woman, from small to tall, from thin to not so thin, those despicable people, those fashion designers have pulled the rug out from under us again. I am referring to the so comfortable, stretchy boot cut jeans that have made us all so happy with the bodies God gave us. We can move! We can breathe! And if we have not foolishly bought the very low rise editions, we can bend over!

Yes, now we have the skinny jean. The really skinny jean. I wonder how long it will hang around. These jeans were made for six foot tall, and very skinny models, and I just don't know many women who look like that. No, most of us, if we follow fashion, will spend months stuffing ourselves into endless pairs, trying to find the perfect ones for us because 'they' say we should. Because they don't live in the real world, where they might have to actually move around, they have no idea of the horrors they have thrust upon us once again. And, as if this is not enough, 'they' are reverting to the fashions of the '80's shirt wise, when we have been told all through the '90's and beyond, that we should never try to cover up with big, oversized tops, which only make us look worse! What is wrong with these people? I think the name alone, the 'skinny' jean, is very exclusionary.

My outfit of choice? Bootcut jeans, t-shirts or sweaters, tennis shoes. Even for church at times.
I still have shirts that I've worn since before my daughter was born. She is now twenty-four. I will take comfort over fashion anyday. I am praying that while they introduce the new, they will be kind and keep the old too. Seems to me that every time they get it right, they turn around and mess it all up again. For everyone.

I am having a Cathy moment. I say, "AACK!"

Thankfully, most of us don't base another person's character on what they wear. Some women will look gorgeous no matter what the trends are, whether they incorporate them or not. I never have been one to follow fashion--I think it's just another way to make other people rich. I don't 'buy' into these things. And some women, no matter how prettily they are dressed up, or how much they paid to have their hair styled and highlighted, will never be beautiful because they left out the most important part of beauty.

I like God's fashion design best. This one will never change, and will withstand the test of time, will hold together through multiple wearings, and makes every single one of us beautiful. Faith, love, hope. And the greatest of these is love.

When you have His love, and you freely share it with others, you can't help but be absolutely beautiful, no matter what you have on your body.
No matter what body type you are. You will radiate with His beauty.

And you can still bend safely over!

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE