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Expectant Prayers ®

Jennifer Jo Weiss

Putting on the Garment of Praise

When I was younger, a school friend and I (for no particular reason) found it fun to put on formals occasionally when I would go over to her house.  There's just something about putting on a gown- it makes you feel like a princess; feminine, elegant... and quite the lady!  We would dress up, adorn ourselves with costume jewelry and pretend our knight in shining armor was going to come and carry us away, reminiscent of a Disney fairytale!   We were also known to don our gowns and take a walk in our small town!  How odd we must have looked to those who observed our quirky behavior.  We'd do our best princess wave and then giggle uncontrollably.

A few days ago, while I was searching for something in my hope chest, something caught my eye!  What is this????  The glimmer of pink taffeta drew my attention to the bottom of the hope chest.   I uncovered it to discover... my bridesmaid gown from my sister Sharon's wedding!  So, naturally I put it on.  I couldn't zip it up, though.  It was a size 3/4 and I am not that size anymore... need I remind you of the several pregnancies I've had?

I continued sorting and sifting through my hope chest and didn't think a thing about my frock.  One of the children came into the room and burst into laughter.  "What?", I asked.  Then realizing that I was sitting there in a pink taffeta gown... with my other clothes underneath.. must have looked a little, well, amusing.  I simply asked, "Don't you adore my dress?"   Then my husband came in... same reaction.  The kids couldn't believe that this dress was from Aunt Sharon's wedding.  Moses said... "I'm sure it was really pretty back then."    LOL    I still like it!

Then, one by one, they all tried the gown on... including the dog.  I'm not kidding.  My oldest son thought he looked the best in the gown.  LOL- I couldn't' believe he tried it on, but it got a big laugh!  It was "nice" to hear him say, "Boy, Mom, you sure were small!"  Ahem.



Isaiah 61:3 tells us that God will give us the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.  The key is, it's up to us TO PUT IT ON.  We can choose to wear the dark, ugly garment of despair and sorrow, or we can choose praise.  I don't know about you, but I want to clothe my spirit with praise!

Our Bible study today was found in Psalm 104.   "O LORD, my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty.  He wraps Himself in light as with a garment."

What are you spiritually wearing today?  Do you need to get rid of those old duds and exchange them for something greater... without spot or wrinkle?    Maybe you've never felt the splendor and majesty of being clothed with Christ!  Maybe you're just used to what you've worn for so long, it's hard to imagine the "newness" God can bring.  Why not step out of your comfort zone and try it!

Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness! 


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