Unusual Compliment

I was out and about with all 8 of my children which usually brings about some interesting looks, stares and comments from onlookers. I'm sure it's quite entertaining to most to watch us all load and unload from our 15 passenger van, and do our business. People usually count us all and wonder if they are all ours.

Most comments are very kind and encouraging with the occassional "How do you do it?". We received 3 of them while we were at Culver's (our favorite restaurant!) for lunch. One was from a really sweet family saying what a nice family we have, another was from an older lady saying how much she appreciated watching us all hold hands and give thanks to God for our food. We thanked them for their sweet words, and gave praise to God. But we have never before received a comment like this one:

A young gentleman came up to me and said, "Ma'am, I just want to tell you how much I appreciate the modesty of your family." I thanked him for his kind words, gave praise and thanks to God, and he left.

Then I got to ponder his unusual comment. Modesty? Then I was quickly reminded of what an important issue this has become since our boys have reached this teen age.

Jeff has done a great job training our boys to bounce their eyes, and set no unclean thing before them, but in todays society it's increasingly hard. We love the warm weather, but hate the immodesty it brings.

My heart breaks for a young girl who seems even comfortable exposing her body that God created for her future husband. Undergarments aren't private anymore, nothing is sacred or protected. I immediately pray for this girl that God would bring someone in her life to protect her and teach her such things her parents should be doing.

God is so holy that He said even looking on a woman with lust is like committing adultery. Yes, men are certainly responsible to keep this in check, but women also have the responsibility to not cause them to stumble, or draw the eyes of someone other than our husband.

Modesty comes in many shapes and forms. Body language, facial expressions, conversation, and dress, but this all comes from the heart, a heart that is concerned with glorifying and honoring God, and living true to His Word.