Sarah Markley
About the Author

I'm the mother of two little girls, the wife of an amazing husband who'd rather play the guitar than anything else and I love to write. I spend my weekends watching my daughters ride horses and play soccer. I blog daily and my greatest wish is to see women healed...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Great post. I want to wear the fruits of the spirit. This can be difficult to do day in and day out although I think if I start programming myself to “put on these clothes” each AM then it will give me a good focus for the day and will be much more attainable when I face a stressful situation. Again, thank you for these wonderful reminders.

  2. Sarah,
    I’ve heard this so many times. Act differently and then you will feel differently making you want to act that way. I used to say that I didn’t feel any love, compassion, kindness etc. therefore I could not act or offer love, kindness, grace, mercy. It was said to me so many times, almost like a mantra: right feelings follow right actions. The feelings do not have to come first but if you continue to act and do right despite what you feel then most likely you will begin to feel right feelings.

    I did a bible study a couple of years ago–what not to wear–I’m drawing a blank on the name of the person who did it but it was like this. It was choosing to put on different clothes instead of what we would normally put on in hopes to change ourselves like you were describing.
    Lisa

  3. I want to wear joy, that others will see the joy of the Lord in me…

    John 15:11
    These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

    Thank you for the beautiful words of encouragement to wear Christ well!

  4. I find this so true … I think that is why scripture calls us to clothe ourselves in the Spirit, with gentleness, self control, etc. To dress ourselves with the breastplate of righteousness, to gird ourselves with the belt of truth. In the last few years, in discovering who I am (having been abused by my mother and thus was not allowed to be myself), I have finally started clothing myself in clothes that reflect who I really am and even when wearing the clothes I just feel more myself. Perhaps its strange, but it is amazing at how our ‘dress’ can change us. I had even gone so far as changing my first and middle name to what it is now. Even names can do this. So many personalities in the Bible were renamed – the one that comes to mind is Saul to Paul. Names and the things we wear have the ability to enable us to come more into ourselves, in Christ.

  5. What a great post, this is true in our lives both as Christians and in the “worldly” way. If we garb ourselves in “Worldly” concerns then we will behave that way. Our priorities are those which we dress ourselves in. The more we “wear” our faith the more present in our hearts and minds it becomes.

  6. I love it when I read something that is the same thing God placed on my heart as well! I posted last night, and part of the blog was about wear rightousness. Love it! Different, yes, but the same, sorta.

  7. Two days ago I went to buy a bathing suit for we had joined the YMCA and I love to swim. My swimming suit of choice is a pair of cut off and a top that leave no cleavage. Only a “real” bathing suit would do for the YMCA and I fully understand. Ocean swimming in Papua New Guinea ocean where we use to live carries no demands as far as swim clothing, swim in anything. Praise God the sport store had one to fit my fluffy body. So I had the right garment for the right adventure. I wanted to swim when I put the suit on… acted like a swimmer after getting into the water ….did some laps. Yes I think I acted out what I was wearing and felt like I swam well for about a half hour till I got water logged.

    Which brings me to your question Sarah Markley. What do you “wear?” What do you want to “wear.

    I want to wear approiate clothes that is befitting a child of a King and the fruits of the Spirit clothing is approiate attire. Even when I am struggling I want my Fruit of the Spirit clothes to look well on me. I want people to comment on my Fruit of the Spirit clothes and they will if I wear them well….which takes humility knowing it is Him that should get all praise for making the best clothes ever for us forgiven people to wear…Maybe we should call it Forgiven Wear….

    Great post….I will take both my swim suit and my Fruit of the Spirit clothing next time I go to the Y……my prayer is others will not notice my bathing suit but take note of the heavenly clothing given graciously by the Master designer in the world.

  8. Right now, for my teens, I need to wear joy and encouragement (which are rather foreign to me). They are battling so many insecurities right now, and I always seem to say the wrong thing to them.

  9. What a sweet, simple post! Such a visual lesson! I think I need to be playing “dress-up” a little bit more. I could stand to wear a bit more gentleness and patience. Thank you, Sarah!

  10. I so badly want to be clothed in peace, grace and goodness. I can’t help but think that after a while your little one would go back to the way she is, with lacy dress and all she might go back to the ‘rough-and-tumble’ girl she is 🙂 I know when I try to be different than who i am, i always go back. ( I so hope my voice is clear here) So I want to BE peace, grace and goodness. To get there though I must clothe myself with these things daily, dying daily to myself until i become peace, grace, goodness and so much more.
    Beautiful Sarah… just beautiful 🙂

  11. Thanks for the great post—perfect illustration! I tend to wear a lot of love and faith, but this week as a mom, I want to wear a little more grace & patience. We ALL have a better day when I do! : ) And I want my kids to know that not only do I love and believe in them, but I value working with them, too, as they grow and develop.