Clothe yourselves

I've realized that lately I'm spending more and more time standing in front of my closet deciding what to wear. This is the result of not bringing a lot of clothes when we moved here, many of them are now really stretched out and/or faded from hanging on the clothesline, and only buying a few new-to-me tops from a market since we've arrived.

As I read this verse the other day, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" Colossians 3:12, I got to thinking about the process of clothing myself. How does the time I spend choosing clothes for the day (especially when I go to Tumaini) - what matches, what is appropriate for my plans for the day, what is appropriate for the weather, etc. - compare with the time I spend clothing myself according to Colossians 3:12?

How much time do I spend putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and if I do put them on, how long before I either change them or forget that I am "wearing" them? How do I present them to others (do they match and are they appropriate), and how do they come across to others? Do I "wear" them for everyone, just for certain people or when I feel I should or have to? As I consider each item, which do I neglect to put on or which do I change for each "event"?

On examining these, I observe that, while they all have definitely been "worn", patience and kindness are not showing as much "wear". I have come to realize that the times I am usually without these items is while driving, when people unexpectedly come to my gate (often while I'm trying to get something done), and when I am tired or frustrated! I am of equal opportunity, so while Robb and even Micah may experience me without these, others are not exempt!

I am one of God's chosen, holy and dearly loved! Hallelujah!!! However, I am His chosen one, holy and dearly loved ONLY by and through the sacrifice of Jesus! Does how I present myself to others outwardly not pale in comparison to how I should present myself to others inwardly?

Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Are these not attributes of Jesus? Therefore, I must clothe myself with Jesus every day!! Thankfully, I know that the next time I stand in front of my closet deciding which clothes to wear, I will first clothe myself with Jesus, and try my hardest never to remove Him!