THE GENEROUS CLOSET

PART 4 of 4

Overstuffed closets can become organized blessings. These little spaces can bring joy to our hearts as we give away items we do not need.  Our closet provides a message to our sphere of influence.  Our God given message burns in our hearts and desires to express itself to those around us.  Personal presentation is a communication tool God gives to us.  When our message is connected to our closet we are a well prepared influencer. Our presentation of God’s message is consistent and clear. What people see is consistent with what they hear and experience from us.  As people experience life with us they sense a common message that changes them for the better. At this point we experience the beautiful gift of being the message.

A generous closet begins when thanksgiving resides deep within the owner’s heart. A thankful heart is a generous heart. A generous closet gives to others, gives a message, and gives back to you beyond measure. Each one of us must not underestimate what can happen in our clothes closet… or in the closet of our heart.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!  I Corinthians 10:16

 

 

THE GENEROUS CLOSET – Part 3 of 4

Gives to You

The Generous Closet gives to others, gives a message, and gives to you.  A generous closet starts in with the owner’s heart.  A generous heart realizes she has plenty share with others. This woman gives freely from her closet.  This woman takes time to learn from God’s Word and the skills of others. She does this so she can move confidently into action.  The inner image of this closet owner is secure in God, her personal designer.  Her closet is filled with purpose because each item in it is a good representation of her personal message and influence.

A woman can have a cluster of seven basic pieces of clothing and represent her God-given message well.  Generally I suggest a wardrobe of seventeen or twenty seven pieces.  Every item should fit your body type, your personal coloring, personal style, and lifestyle.  Every item should be suitable for your personal message.  The process of connecting your message and closet is well worth your time.  Getting dressed will always be easier.  Purchasing trends and styles that suit you will save you money and time.  Your clothes will represent who you really are on the inside. Your personal presentation will be a true representation of your inner message.  You will love visiting your clean well organized closet! When you have gotten to this step in the process your closet is giving back to you. However, you may not totally notice because you now have more time to share your God-given message.  You simply know you are blessed.

The Generous Closet can be yours.

Random Tips

1. Modesty is important regardless what fashion dictates.
2. Classic pieces of clothing can be kept for several years. However, if kept too long these items can make a woman look frumpy. It’s good to do a reality check on these items.
3. Check yourself in a full length mirror. If you are wearing a skirt or dress sit down in front of your mirror.  Lean over to see if others can see down your top. See what others see. They do not need to see down your top or up your skirt.
4. Be a model. Model the true worth of a woman to your successors.
5. An outfit should add balance to your body type.
6. A good piece of clothing that suits you is worth having altered.
7. Have FUN being the woman God created you to be dear ladies!

She works with eager hands…she is dressed in fine linen and purple…Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.  Proverbs 31

THE GENEROUS CLOSET

PART 2 of 4

The  Generous Closet Gives a Message

Last week I expressed through a personal experience how The Generous Closet Gives to Others.  This week I’d like to share how a closet gives a message to our world of influence.

What is your message to your sphere of influence?  What are you compelled to do with the life entrusted to you?  The answers to these questions push us beyond general humanitarian good deeds.  The answers come from the core of our very being.  God designed each one of us to communicate and influence the world around us.

Our very presence communicates. Personal presentation communicates what you think of yourself and others.  A woman who spends hours readying herself to be the cutest one at an event is probably more self-focused.  This may be a symptom of a deep need to fully embrace God’s love.  However, the woman who does not see value in taking a few moments to present her best self may have the same need.  Each extreme may be the result of not understanding their value to God. Embracing God’s love frees us to communicate our God-given message.

One of my passions is to inspire women everywhere to know their inner images well and connect it to their closets. Let me clarify this connection by giving a couple of examples using fictional names.

1. Jan is a thirty-eight year old woman who manages a bank. She leads, trains, and presents talks daily.  She is passionate about influencing young adults to consider the financial profession.  She desires to influence with her conservative financial views. Jan believes her applied views will help many.  This passion has consumed much of Jan’s time.  Getting ready for work is a hassle because her stuffed closet is unorganized.  Confusion lives in her closet.  A black tee-shirt, black pants, and a pair of black thick soled shoes are what she wears most days.  Sometimes she applies a little mascara and clear lip gloss.  She doesn’t feel particularly great about her personal presentation and is unsure how to make wardrobe changes.

 

2. Lynn is a forty year old free-lance writer. Her specialty is to write about people and their career paths. She loves to interview people and hear about their passions, failures, and successes. These interviews are turned into inspiring articles. Lynn influences by sharing other people’s experiences.  Twenty seven items hang in her organized closet.  Every item suits her body type, her personal coloring, and lifestyle.  She wears her chocolate brown sheath dress, brown pumps, and gold accessories when interviewing a Corporate Engineer.  Smart looking kakis, an orange twin set, multi-colored beaded accessories, and brown ballet flats are perfect when meeting a pet store owner over coffee. Lynn has also learned how to apply her professional looking make-up in five minutes!  She feels confident that her unique message is well presented.

 

We are all valuable to God and can learn from one another.  Jan is struggling to present her message.  She could use a few encouraging tips to connect her inner image to her personal presentation. Lynn has already received and implemented a few tips. Confidence in God who created her to write is well connected with her personal presentation.

How about you?  Would you like a few tips?  Here’s a few.  I hope these help or reinforce what you already know. Always remember God is the Master Designer.  You are his beautiful creation.

TIPS FOR CONNECTING MY MESSAGE WITH MY CLOSET

1. Discover and be sure of your God-given message
2. Know how to dress your body type
3. Know what colors look best on you
4. Know your personal style which lasts forever
5. Create a plan to make your message connect with your closet
6. Buy what you need first – then add fun items within your budget
7. Remember the words below from Colossians 3:12-13

…dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline… AND regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. 

 

 

 

 

THE GENEROUS CLOSET

PART 2 of 4

Last week I expressed through a personal experience how The Generous Closet Gives to Others.  This week I’d like to share how a closet gives a message to our world of influence.

What is your message to your sphere of influence?  What are you compelled to do with the life entrusted to you?  The answers to these questions push us beyond general humanitarian good deeds.  The answers come from the core of our very being.  God designed each one of us to communicate and influence the world around us.

Our very presence communicates. Personal presentation communicates what you think of yourself and others.  A woman who spends hours readying herself to be the cutest one at an event is probably more self-focused.  This may be a symptom of a deep need to fully embrace God’s love.  However, the woman who does not see value in taking a few moments to present her best self may have the same need.  Each extreme may be the result of not understanding their value to God. Embracing God’s love frees us to communicate our God-given message.

One of my passions is to inspire women everywhere to know their inner images well and connect it to their closets. Let me clarify this connection by giving a couple of examples using fictional names.

1. Jan is a thirty-eight year old woman who manages a bank. She leads, trains, and presents talks daily.  She is passionate about influencing young adults to consider the financial profession.  She desires to influence with her conservative financial views. Jan believes her applied views will help many.  This passion has consumed much of Jan’s time.  Getting ready for work is a hassle because her stuffed closet is unorganized.  Confusion lives in her closet.  A black tee-shirt, black pants, and a pair of black thick soled shoes are what she wears most days.  Sometimes she applies a little mascara and clear lip gloss.  She doesn’t feel particularly great about her personal presentation and is unsure how to make wardrobe changes.

 

2. Lynn is a forty year old free-lance writer. Her specialty is to write about people and their career paths. She loves to interview people and hear about their passions, failures, and successes. These interviews are turned into inspiring articles. Lynn influences by sharing other people’s experiences.  Twenty seven items hang in her organized closet.  Every item suits her body type, her personal coloring, and lifestyle.  She wears her chocolate brown sheath dress, brown pumps, and gold accessories when interviewing a Corporate Engineer.  Smart looking kakis, an orange twin set, multi-colored beaded accessories, and brown ballet flats are perfect when meeting a pet store owner over coffee. Lynn has also learned how to apply her professional looking make-up in five minutes!  She feels confident that her unique message is well presented.

 

We are all valuable to God and can learn from one another.  Jan is struggling to present her message.  She could use a few encouraging tips to connect her inner image to her personal presentation. Lynn has already received and implemented a few tips. Confidence in God who created her to write is well connected with her personal presentation.

How about you?  Would you like a few tips?  Here’s a few.  I hope these help or reinforce what you already know. Always remember God is the Master Designer.  You are his beautiful creation.

TIPS FOR CONNECTING MY MESSAGE WITH MY CLOSET

1. Discover and be sure of your God-given message
2. Know how to dress your body type
3. Know what colors look best on you
4. Know your personal style which lasts forever
5. Create a plan to make your message connect with your closet
6. Buy what you need first – then add fun items within your budget
7. Remember the words below from Colossians 3:12-13

…dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline… AND regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. 

THE GENEROUS CLOSET – Part 2 of 4

Gives a Message

Last week I expressed through a personal experience how The Generous Closet Gives to Others.  This week I’d like to share how a closet gives a message to our world of influence.

What is your message to your sphere of influence?  What are you compelled to do with the life entrusted to you?  The answers to these questions push us beyond general humanitarian good deeds.  The answers come from the core of our very being.  God designed each one of us to communicate and influence the world around us.

Our very presence communicates. Personal presentation communicates what we think of ourselves and others.  A woman who spends hours readying herself to be the cutest one at an event is probably more self-focused.  This may be a symptom of a deep need to fully embrace God’s love.  However, the woman who does not see value in taking a few moments to present her best self may have the same need.  Each extreme may be the result of not understanding their value to God. Embracing God’s love frees us to communicate our God-given message.

One of my passions is to inspire women everywhere to know their inner images well and connect it to their closets. Please allow me  to clarify this connection by giving a couple of examples using fictional names.

1. Jan is a thirty-eight year old woman who manages a bank. She leads, trains, and presents talks daily.  She is passionate about influencing young adults to consider the financial profession.  She desires to influence with her creative financial views. Jan believes her applied views will help many.  This passion has consumed much of Jan’s time.  Getting ready for work is a hassle because her stuffed closet is unorganized.  Confusion lives in her closet.  A black tee-shirt, black pants, and a pair of black thick soled shoes are what she wears most days.  Sometimes she applies a little mascara and clear lip gloss.  She doesn’t feel particularly great about her personal presentation and is unsure as to how to make wardrobe changes.

2.     Lynn is a forty year old free-lance writer. Her specialty is to write about people and               their career paths. She loves to interview people and hear about their passions,                  failures, and successes. Her interviews have been turned into inspiring articles.                  Lynn influences by sharing other people’s experiences. Twenty seven items hang in            her organized closet.  Every item suits her body type, her personal coloring, and                  lifestyle.  She wears her chocolate brown sheath dress, brown pumps, and gold                  accessories when interviewing a Corporate Engineer.  Smart looking khakis,                        an orange twin set, multi-colored beaded accessories, and brown ballet flats are                perfect when meeting a pet store owner over coffee. Lynn has also learned how to              apply her professional looking make-up in five minutes!  She feels confident that her            unique message is well presented.

We are all valuable to God and can learn from one another.  Jan is struggling to present her message.  She could use a few encouraging tips to connect her inner image to her personal presentation. Lynn has already received and implemented a few tips. Confidence in God who created her to write is well connected with her personal presentation.

How about you?  Would you like a few tips?  Here’s a few.  I hope these help or reinforce what you already know.   Always remember God is the Master Designer.  You are his beautiful creation.

TIPS FOR CONNECTING MY MESSAGE WITH MY CLOSET

1. Discover and be sure of your God-given message
2. Know how to dress your body type
3. Know what colors look best on you
4. Know your personal style which lasts forever
5. Create a plan to make your message connect with your closet
6. Buy what you need first – then add fun items within your budget
7. Remember the words below from Colossians 3:12-13

…dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline… AND regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. 

THE GENEROUS CLOSET

Part 1 of 4

Gives to Others

I stood in my closet wondering how does this happen?  My once organized wardrobe is overcrowded, stuffed, and in disarray.  How could I let this happen? Can you identify with me?  What’s in your closet?

I teach people how to have an organized wardrobe that suits their personal style, body type, and lifestyle.  There I stood ready to apply the information I teach to others.

The song designated for my phone’s ringtone began to play, “Thank you my Lord for today…”.  I suddenly began to thank God for the overstuffed closet as I answered my phone.  The call was from a friend with an idea for a Fall Festival our church was planning.  She suggested we offer a clothes giving booth at this event.  Was this a coincidence?   I look at it as God’s providence.  My mind moved from thankful thoughts to heartfelt joy of giving to others. Skills for personal wardrobe organization were exhilarated into action.  I scheduled a few minutes each day for one week to purge my closet. The process of this purge led to several blessings. First and foremost, God once again reminded me of how he meets all needs.  As I bagged items time was spent with God.  I thanked HIM and prayed for those who would wear the donated items.  I prayed for those women to be drawn to HIS mighty love, grace, and salvation.  My small closet actually has enough room to do a “HAPPY DANCE”! Perhaps I should say there’s room to do a “THANKSGIVING DANCE!

God gives each one of us opportunities to be blessed by blessing others. God turned a frustrating and complaining moment in my little closet into a blessing. I am thankful God continues work in and through our hearts during every day occurrences.

A generous closet starts in the heart of the owner.

Generous Closet Tips-

1. Get rid of items beyond repair.
2. Decide where your donated items will be given. Label boxes or bags with the names of people, places, or organizations you desire to receive the donated clothes.
3. Set aside time to create a generous closet. You might plan a few minutes each day for a week or decide to take a whole day. Your goal is to start AND finish this project quickly.
4. Enter your closet with a thankful and giving heart.
5. Staying focused on being generous will help you give away items you do not need.
6. Bag or box all items you haven’t worn in a year. (this excludes that special event dress/outfit)
7. Deliver your boxes or bags to your designated places or people.

A GENEROUS CLOSET GIVES TO OTHERS.   Next week I will share how a Generous Closet Gives a Message.

Generous hands are blessed because they give… Proverbs 22:9 MSG

I would love to read your responses to these tips.  Please feel free to comment.

THE GENEROUS CLOSET

Part 1 of 4

Gives to Others

I stood in my closet wondering how does this happen?  My once organized wardrobe is overcrowded, stuffed, and in disarray.  How could I let this happen? Can you identify with me?  What’s in your closet?

I teach people how to have an organized wardrobe that suits their personal style, body type, and lifestyle.  There I stood ready to apply the information I teach to others.

The song designated for my phone’s ringtone began to play, “Thank you my Lord for today…”.  I suddenly began to thank God for the overstuffed closet as I answered my phone.  The call was from a friend with an idea for a Fall Festival our church was planning.  She suggested we offer a clothes giving booth at this event.  Was this a coincidence?   I look at it as God’s providence.  My mind moved from thankful thoughts to heartfelt joy of giving to others. Skills for personal wardrobe organization were exhilarated into action.  I scheduled a few minutes each day for one week to purge my closet. The process of this purge led to several blessings. First and foremost, God once again reminded me of how he meets all needs.  As I bagged items time was spent with God.  I thanked HIM and prayed for those who would wear the donated items.  I prayed for those women to be drawn to HIS mighty love, grace, and salvation.  My small closet actually has enough room to do a “HAPPY DANCE”! Perhaps I should say there’s room to do a “THANKSGIVING DANCE!

God gives each one of us opportunities to be blessed by blessing others. God turned a frustrating and complaining moment in my little closet into a blessing. I am thankful God continues work in and through our hearts during every day occurrences.

A generous closet starts in the heart of the owner.

Generous Closet Tips-

1. Get rid of items beyond repair.
2. Decide where your donated items will be given. Label boxes or bags with the names of people, places, or organizations you desire to receive the donated clothes.
3. Set aside time to create a generous closet. You might plan a few minutes each day for a week or decide to take a whole day. Your goal is to start AND finish this project quickly.
4. Enter your closet with a thankful and giving heart.
5. Staying focused on being generous will help you give away items you do not need.
6. Bag or box all items you haven’t worn in a year. (this excludes that special event dress/outfit)
7. Deliver your boxes or bags to your designated places or people.

A GENEROUS CLOSET GIVES TO OTHERS.   Next week I will share how a Generous Closet Gives a Message.

Generous hands are blessed because they give… Proverbs 22:9 MSG

I would love to read your responses to these tips.  Please feel free to comment.

THE GENEROUS CLOSET

Part 1 of 4

Gives to Others

I stood in my closet wondering how does this happen?  My once organized wardrobe is overcrowded, stuffed, and in disarray.  How could I let this happen? Can you identify with me?  What’s in your closet?

I teach people how to have an organized wardrobe that suits their personal style, body type, and lifestyle.  There I stood ready to apply the information I teach to others.

The song designated for my phone’s ringtone began to play, “Thank you my Lord for today…”.  I suddenly began to thank God for the overstuffed closet as I answered my phone.  The call was from a friend with an idea for a Fall Festival our church was planning.  She suggested we offer a clothes giving booth at this event.  Was this a coincidence?   I look at it as God’s providence.  My mind moved from thankful thoughts to heartfelt joy of giving to others. Skills for personal wardrobe organization were exhilarated into action.  I scheduled a few minutes each day for one week to purge my closet. The process of this purge led to several blessings. First and foremost, God once again reminded me of how he meets all needs.  As I bagged items time was spent with God.  I thanked HIM and prayed for those who would wear the donated items.  I prayed for those women to be drawn to HIS mighty love, grace, and salvation.  My small closet actually has enough room to do a “HAPPY DANCE”! Perhaps I should say there’s room to do a “THANKSGIVING DANCE!

God gives each one of us opportunities to be blessed by blessing others. God turned a frustrating and complaining moment in my little closet into a blessing. I am thankful God continues work in and through our hearts during every day occurrences.

A generous closet starts in the heart of the owner.

Generous Closet Tips-

1. Get rid of items beyond repair.
2. Decide where your donated items will be given. Label boxes or bags with the names of people, places, or organizations you desire to receive the donated clothes.
3. Set aside time to create a generous closet. You might plan a few minutes each day for a week or decide to take a whole day. Your goal is to start AND finish this project quickly.
4. Enter your closet with a thankful and giving heart.
5. Staying focused on being generous will help you give away items you do not need.
6. Bag or box all items you haven’t worn in a year. (this excludes that special event dress/outfit)
7. Deliver your boxes or bags to your designated places or people.

A GENEROUS CLOSET GIVES TO OTHERS.   Next week I will share how a Generous Closet Gives a Message.

Generous hands are blessed because they give… Proverbs 22:9 MSG

I would love to read your responses to these tips.  Please feel free to comment.

A Good Woman and Her Bling

This past weekend I had an extremely fun and spontaneous chat with a couple of ladies.  Each one of us admired the bling we noticed on one another .  One of these dear friends was wearing shinny silver frames which highlighted her twinkling brown eyes.  Sparkly beads which looked like diamonds were sewn into the neckline of her soft pink blouse.  Her taupe embellished shoes matched perfectly as the same diamond shaped sparkles surrounded her peeping toes . She matched head to toe and looked so cute! As presently fifty- something year old women, we jokingly wondered if we would ever get too old to wear the bling. How we wear the bling may evolve a bit in years to come. Awareness of this possibility does not change one specific fact about us. We will be the blingy old ladies one day. Perhaps I should write that we will be the blingy mature ladies one day!

What I enjoyed most was the last few comments of this conversation.  We talked about how beautiful heaven will be one day when God calls us home.  We know the bling in Heaven will not look like the trinkets we wear here on earth. However, God’s Word describes a place that shines beautiful and bright.

As I walked away I sensed a moment of hope and anticipation in each one of us.  I also thought, ONLY women can talk about bling, clothes, shoes, hair, age, and heaven all at once…AND in just a couple of minutes!   

A moment in time was shared with these good women who are worth more than the bling or diamonds found on this earth. Proverbs says, A good woman is hard to find, and her worth far more than diamonds.

Our world thinks of diamonds as being very valuable.  We might ask WHY?  Why are diamonds so valuable?  Anything extremely rare is considered precious.  Diamonds take many years to form and only a few survive the hazardous journey from depths of the earth.  Only a few actually reach the earth’s surface. Only fifty percent of the diamonds mined today are judged to be of gem quality.  A diamond most likely has been in four continents and involved the lives of hundreds of people before it reaches a woman’s hand.  Many skilled and experienced craftsmen are part of a complicated process of extracting and finishing a diamond.

God says a good woman is valuable.  We might ask, why?  Why is a good woman valuable?  As a good woman you are rare, one of a kind, and considered precious to God.  He created beautiful you!  Good women take time to form.  Their journey may seem hazardous in their own eyes and to others watching.  They may feel like they are buried and can’t climb up to the surface.  Good women stay the course because they know God has designed them to shine brightly for his glory.  Even though they may feel like a diamond in the rough… they allow God’s process to do its work.  Good women allow God to complete his processes in their lives. They stay close to God, seek wisdom of the experienced, and finish well.

Good women shine brightly from the inside out.

A Good Woman and Her Bling

This past weekend I had an extremely fun and spontaneous chat with a couple of ladies.  Each one of us admired the bling we noticed on one another .  One of these dear friends was wearing shinny silver frames which highlighted her twinkling brown eyes.  Sparkly beads which looked like diamonds were sewn into the neckline of her soft pink blouse.  Her taupe embellished shoes matched perfectly as the same diamond shaped sparkles surrounded her peeping toes . She matched head to toe and looked so cute! As presently fifty- something year old women, we jokingly wondered if we would ever get too old to wear the bling. How we wear the bling may evolve a bit in years to come. Awareness of this possibility does not change one specific fact about us. We will be the blingy old ladies one day. Perhaps I should write that we will be the blingy mature ladies one day!

What I enjoyed most was the last few comments of this conversation.  We talked about how beautiful heaven will be one day when God calls us home.  We know the bling in Heaven will not look like the trinkets we wear here on earth. However, God’s Word describes a place that shines beautiful and bright.

As I walked away I sensed a moment of hope and anticipation in each one of us.  I also thought, ONLY women can talk about bling, clothes, shoes, hair, age, and heaven all at once…AND in just a couple of minutes!   

A moment in time was shared with these good women who are worth more than the bling or diamonds found on this earth. Proverbs says, A good woman is hard to find, and her worth far more than diamonds.

Our world thinks of diamonds as being very valuable.  We might ask WHY?  Why are diamonds so valuable?  Anything extremely rare is considered precious.  Diamonds take many years to form and only a few survive the hazardous journey from depths of the earth.  Only a few actually reach the earth’s surface. Only fifty percent of the diamonds mined today are judged to be of gem quality.  A diamond most likely has been in four continents and involved the lives of hundreds of people before it reaches a woman’s hand.  Many skilled and experienced craftsmen are part of a complicated process of extracting and finishing a diamond.

God says a good woman is valuable.  We might ask, why?  Why is a good woman valuable?  As a good woman you are rare, one of a kind, and considered precious to God.  He created beautiful you!  Good women take time to form.  Their journey may seem hazardous in their own eyes and to others watching.  They may feel like they are buried and can’t climb up to the surface.  Good women stay the course because they know God has designed them to shine brightly for his glory.  Even though they may feel like a diamond in the rough… they allow God’s process to do its work.  Good women allow God to complete his processes in their lives. They stay close to God, seek wisdom of the experienced, and finish well.

Good women shine brightly from the inside out.