DRESSED BY GOD BLOG

"You are my daughter." 

The clean blankets were cozy, having been freshly warmed by the dryer . I didn't want to leave my journaling spot on the couch. I had been deep in the mental battle of trying not to spend another dime on stuff, and I was working through it with God on the pages of my journal.

I mean after all, January 1st 2023 is a hard break, right? It's the day that we have to adhere to all of our new goals whether they make sense or not.

All or nothing.

"You have a few more items to find. A hat, a cosmetic case, a black daily bag, a wallet, the bag that will carry everything."

"You are my daughter. I know what you need more than you do right now. Only I know where I am taking you."

Daughter.

He was right.

Much like I spend time preparing everything that my own daughter Daisy will need, long before she actually has to have those items in hand. 

I focus on what she will need in the next season based on how much she has grown, what her current interests are, and the colors and styles that I think she will be most comfortable and confident in. 

And now, as a 42 year old woman, I was finally allowing my Heavenly Father to do the same for me.

So I allowed Him to pick out each of the finishing touches, even when my flesh wanted to control every aspect of every item, I just turned it over to Him.

I trusted Him in an area that I would later learn I had made off limits to Him.

How was I trusting God to provide for me in every way, but this?

All along He knew what I needed in this season of life, because He was the One that planned it.

Elevated comfort, set-apart style, packable, lightweight, effortless.

When God is preparing you to take back Kingdom ground, you don't need any distractions.

You only truly need Him.

With each piece that He guided me to, the capsule built in the most beautiful way. 

And I started to get a glimpse of what this season of life held for my family, our businesses, and the impact we were going to be able to make due to becoming lighter.

Each and every piece of the Winter Capsule Wardrobe was handpicked by God.

I set aside my long-time career, expertise, and ego. I stepped to the side, and prayerfully asked Him to guide me. 

When He said an item wasn't quite right, I didn't buy it, or keep it from my former wardrobe.

Below are most of the pieces that were selected.

How it's going.

 Well, I have briefly had moments of anxiety about how a bunch of winter clothes will fare when the weather finally does break.

But, if I have learned anything from this experience, it is that the idea that something will pop up that the Father has not equipped and supplied for you is a lie.

I have learned that having control in an area is exhausting and rips the life right out of us. 

The areas that we don't let God into are the areas that need His healing touch the most.

I feel full of life, and so much more ready to take on one of the busiest seasons of our life.

I also feel like I need to do this around our entire home.  What other chains might be hiding in our cabinets and nightstands?

I haven't even worn all of the pieces yet. I also couldn't pinpoint an actual favorite. Each piece fits so well and feels amazing on. I feel like a Million Bucks in all of it.

How do I feel about the clothes that are packed away?

It's like they aren't even mine. And it's possible that they never were. I was just a through point to get them to their rightful owners.

Did I save money.  Hands down yes. Even though I made purchases for the accessories on God's list, I still came in well under what I would have spent on a usual month.

Not only that, I am actually using every bit of it weekly, if not daily.

I am breaking the chains. 

Now, I won't lie to you in this.

I did push back. 

Out of control, or a general feeling of unworthiness? Only God knows. And if it is for me to know, He will reveal it in due time.

But now that I was giving God full access to this area of my life, I had to see it through.

Here is a short list of where I said, "No are you crazy, I don't do/need that." And God showed me that I had been lacking freedom due to an identity box I had placed myself in.

Some of these, I am ashamed of my ignorance and previous adamance against.

I don't spend that much money on a single pair of shoes. Truly, had I really known that I would only ever really need one pair of heels, and they would be this comfortable, and go with everything, I would have saved heaps of cash along the way. What I had previously gauged as an investment piece was sorely off.

I don't wear wool anymore, it makes me itch. I also am feeling more like only adding neutrals to the capsule, so hot pink is out. Even though the sweater was gorgeous, I turned it down twice. But God sent me back to it. It's one of the pieces I am most excited about, and it feels dreamy and looks even better.

I don't need 30 pieces. What a waste. How about 20? I now realize that He knew exactly what I would need in this season. He knew what I would wear on television, what I would need to attend a funeral, what I would wear on appointments, and on my days running errands....and all of it. He knew. 

I won't ever buy a big suitcase, I ONLY carry-on. I will NEVER use this thing. What a waste of money on a television prop. Turns out I needed a big suitcase for carrying my lighting kit to shoots and getting display pieces and wardrobing to television. I use that big-ol bag 2-3 times a week, and it has been the biggest source of help for easy transport. Now I can't wait to pack this bag for a family trip.

I'm not a "hanging toiletry bag" kind of girl. know when I decided that? I was 20. And I stuck to my guns on it. But then God led me to one, that I even had monogramed. The separate compartments are perfect, and it lays out beautifully in sections. Easy to find everything that I need, and the ideal size for all of my makeup, brushes, and skincare. 

I don't carry nylon bags. They look cheap and will stain and tear easily. I can't even begin to apologize enough for my snobbiness in this. My whole body has appreciated carrying bags that have very little weight or bulk to them. 

Maybe this list sounds a little like what you have been dealing with in your style?

It can be hard to live within the perimeters of the identity boxes we've condemned ourself to living in.

This list could go on for days, but each area was a chain keeping me back from my identity in Christ, that is now broken. 

Bottom line takeaway here? Every time I think "I'm not ____" God showed me that I am, and can be anything He needs me to be.

"You won't need these where I am taking you." 

His voice was all I needed to hear as I removed everything from my closet to place it on the bed.

I moved shelves and rearranged what was to remain. The collection of colors and styles that would be moving with me into the new year was beautiful.

I couldn't have done a better job of picking out how each item went together myself. Only God could do this.

The sweater I fought not to buy, matched shoelaces perfectly on one of the pairs of sneakers. 

The gunmetal trimmings on the black bag was identical on the black sweater. 

The gray and white speckled mock neck went beautifully with each of the bottoms. 

I was overwhelmed in the best of ways by my Father's love for me.

How many more women need to feel this, I wondered. All of them. 

As I gazed at the heap of designer clothing on my bed, knowing full well that there was more in storage, I heard God again.

"Sell everything." 

I felt a little daunted.

This will take all year, and likely be an additional full-time job. I don't have time for that.

God assured me that He would make it easy.

I can't wait to see what God has planned here! Follow along to get all of the details at the link below.