Altering The Dress

I am looking for a dress for my son’s wedding.
The wedding is in a few months, so I have time.
I have seen dresses I like as I look at my favorite stores online.
I have even ordered a few to try them on at home.

When my daughter got married two years ago, I found my dress online.
I saw it and knew it was the dress I wanted to wear.
It fit well but needed a few minor alterations.
I took it to the store, which does the alterations for you.

When my son got married two years ago as well, I tried a few dresses before I found the one.
I literally bought my mother of the groom dress right off the rack.
I did not need to do anything to that dress.
It was fine exactly as it was.

This mother of the groom dress selection has been a bit more difficult.
I am looking for a different color from what I wore before.
I am looking for a different style.
I know that I will know the dress when I see it.

I have returned at least eight dresses.
They arrive.
They fit.
They do not look exactly the way they appear online.

I drove to the store to return the evening gown in person.
This is the store that does the alterations for you.
This store is where I purchased my mother of the bride dress.
I was wearing a summer dress and sandals; I had no intention of trying dresses on that day.

As I approached the register, I decided to look around a bit.
A sweet young salesgirl took my return from me and put it behind the counter.
She saw me choose a dress from the rack.
Can I start a dressing room for you? She asked, Those long dresses get pretty heavy.

I handed her the dress I selected.
I handed her another one and another.
Four dresses were back in the dressing room waiting for me.
I tried them all on, as she came back periodically to see if I needed anything.

I don’t think any of these work, I said, disappointed.
I really liked the first one I chose; I love the color, I admitted through the dressing room door.
I am sorry that none of them worked for you, she said.
I heard her walk away.

I was going to get dressed but decided to put the first dress on again.
I really liked it.
I thought that perhaps a seamstress could come back and give me her opinion.
I walked out of the dressing room wearing the dress.

The young salesgirl finished with a customer.
She came back to the dressing room.
Oh, I really like that dress, she said, I love the color.
Do you think I could talk to the seamstress? I asked her.

Within minutes, the seamstress came back with her ruler, fabric pencil, and pin cushion.
This dress is too big on you, she said in a matter of fact tone.
The young salesgirl went out to get a smaller dress.
She came back and I tried it on.

It fit so much better; however, things still needed to be done to enhance the fit.
What is the dress for? The seamstress asked.
My son’s wedding, I answered.
I don’t think this is the color for a son’s wedding, she said.

I assumed that only a blue dress would do in her mind.
This dress was definitely not blue.
Another seasoned saleswoman came back to assist as well.
She kept bringing me dresses that had so many sequins, it was actually hard to lift.

The dresses she brought me were not stylish.
I refused a few of them.
All I wanted to do was alter the dress that I selected first.
All I heard were reasons why this dress would not be right for me.

I got dressed and met the older saleswoman at the register.
She and the young salesgirl were looking online for me.
I noticed that the young girl was very quiet in the presence of the older woman.
Nothing the woman showed me appealed to me.

I returned my dress, which was the reason I came into the store.
Since I was at a very large mall with many lovely stores, I visited a few more.
In my mind, nothing compared to the dress I just saw.
I needed to think, so I drove home.

On the way home, I could not get the dress out of my mind.
I used Siri and called the store that I left over an hour before.
The sweet young salesgirl answered the phone.
I said who I was and she immediately remembered.

I am so glad you called back, she said.
I really liked that dress on you, she continued.
I did not agree with the things they were saying to you.
I think you should get a second seamstress’ opinion, she suggested.

The dress is on hold until I go back to the store.
I asked for another seamstress to assist me.
I came home and showed a picture of the dress to my youngest daughter.
Oh, Mom, I love that dress on you; I love the color, she said excitedly.

So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.  He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he. But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused. (Job 32:1-5)

After I ended the conversation with the young salesgirl, I thought of Elihu.
When Job went through all his painful trials, his three friends came to visit him.
When they saw how distressed he was, they sat with Job in silence for seven days.
That was the best thing they could have ever done for Job.

After that time of compassionate silence, the three friends made their opinions known.
They questioned Job as to the reason for his suffering.
They pointed fingers at Job.
They theologized and tried to explain why Job was suffering.

When the three friends had said all they could say, young Elihu spoke up.
He waited to speak because the other men were older than he.
He stood back in respect.
He spoke when they were finished.

God speaks before Elihu could finish all he had to say.
God said that all of the men said things that were wrong about Him.
Only Job, who never cursed God in his suffering, was correct.
God said that Job was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. (Job 1:1)

Often what we say to others is wrong.
It is our own opinion and not based on facts.
It is what we think and not based on truth.
Obviously, opinions about a dress pale in comparison to more important things.

The young salesgirl waited until the older women were finished.
Only when I called did she say what she wanted to say in the first place.
She had no idea that I was going to ask her to hold the dress for me.
She said what she could not say before.

God allows us to speak our minds to him.
We do not have to hold back and wait.
We have total access at all times to our Heavenly Father.
How blessed we are.

2 responses to “Altering The Dress”

1. That dress will look beautiful on you, Gina, because it is what you like, what you were drawn to and feel comfortable in…it will be perfect for your son’s wedding! How often we need to go with what our gut tells us and not be swayed by others varying opinions…even in more important matters, listening to the Holy Spirit first over others quick suggestions and advice.
   Wear that dress with pride and a glow in celebrating another joyful family event!

   Reply

   • Thanks, Carolyn!
     I went back to the store today, worked with another seamstress, and bought the dress. God gives us intuition. It is wise to pay attention to it, even in small details like a mother of the groom dress.
     Gina

     Reply