Dressed With Joy

    Clothing is powerful.
    Once a friend in Bangkok gave me a free "Color Me Beautiful" analysis. I was glad and also figured she thought I was unaware of what colors I should be wearing. I used to have a lot of olive green (yuck) in my wardrobe. Those went away. When she draped a deep purple swath over my shoulder I almost gasped; it suddenly looked like I'd had a little face lift. (I was younger then!)
     Many people wear dark clothing for a period of time when someone has passed away. Others wear it because it is fashionable or has a slimming affect. Some wear bright, cheerful clothes when they prepare to go to a party or a picnic. We know about "power suits" and how to dress for success. Style, color, and appropriateness are certainly vital issues!
     Psalm 30:11 says "You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy."
     So, what do your clothes of mourning look like? Not the actual clothing, but when you are sad, angry or frustrated, what happens to your demeanor, your face, your whole outlook?
     When you are experiencing God's joy, how do those change? What happens to your face, your eyes, your mouth when you've put on joy?
     It's time for me to change clothes today!