Deuteronomy 22:5 says, “A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.”
This verse isn’t about whether or not a woman can wear jeans (I have a few well-worn pairs myself!). It doesn’t impose an impossible list of do’s and don’ts. This passage is about a principle…the value God places on the differences between the sexes. Blurring that difference offends God. Christians should celebrate the difference. (Barbara Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Woman, p. 91)
I’ve shared on this blog that I received a heavy dose of feminist thought throughout my childhood and most of my teen years. For Halloween one year, Mom thought it would be a great idea for me to dress like a man. I remember wearing a suit, tie, and hat as we went trick-or-treating. That was just for fun, though. What was not “for fun” was the always-present idea that boys and girls are not really different, and that there isn’t anything I can’t or should not do just because I’m a girl. Those ideas do not come from God’s word, and it has only been since God has been at work in me to change my heart and my mind that my thoughts regarding the differences between boys and girls have changed. More importantly, my ideas about the differences between a man and a woman have changed how I view the husband/wife relationship.
We are different and it is good. One example is that I have started to enjoy thinking of myself as the weaker vessel. The kids have caught on to this as well, particularly the boys. I have even overheard Karl talking with them at various times about their role as protector (right now for their sisters). I am still learning how to move from being a strong woman to a woman of strength. Similar words, big difference in meaning.
As for matters of dress, plain and simple commented the other day, “have you ever seen a man wear women’s jeans? He’d look like a girl! Women’s jeans are cut for women and if you wear them with a nice top you’ll look like a woman! I don’t think you *have* to wear a skirt to look feminine.” She’s right. The point is that women are supposed to look feminine. I just haven’t always been very good at that. I haven’t ever tried to not look like a girl, but since I have hated dresses from the time I was a little thing, I still haven’t figured out how to wear one and look comfortable in it.
I am thankful to be learning from my daughters how special it is to be a girl. I think that’s one reason God gave them to me.
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Leslie Wiggins 
8 responses to “Celebrating Our Differences”
I grew up in a similar situation, so I know where you are coming from. I always wanted to do what boys were doing. I never liked dresses or frilly things and I’m still not a big fan. It has been the same way at our house. I think I have shared with you that our middle daughter LOVES dresses and everything very girly. It’s so neat to see how God changes our hearts and how He works.
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I was a bit of both tomboy and girly. I loved playing with the boys when I was little. I was right in there with the best of them, playing with bugs, building forts, climbing trees (never playing with dolls)*but* I would have been quite happy to do it wearing a frilly dress!My favourite aunt was never a girly type (though she is very pretty), much to my mother’s dismay (mom is eight years older and helped care for her sister quite a bit). I know a few funny stories about my mother bribing her to wear dresses! She never has been very comfortable in dresses or skirts and is usually wearing a pair of jeans, but she certainly doesn’t look masculine :)Then, there’s my daughter. Super girly, would be happy wearing a dress every day, and is constantly running about in a pink tutu 🙂
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“I am still learning how to move from being a strong woman to a woman of strength. Similar words, big difference in meaning.”I love how you put that. Very true! Christina
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I was very much a tom-boy. (Where does that term come from anyway?) Most of my friends were boys. I had girl friends, but we didn’t play much because I didn’t know how to play Barbie very well. I was always Ken and all I wanted to make him do was drive the car! As I got older, I was really involved in my school’s athletic program, although, one year I decided I wanted to cheer. It was fun, but I couldn’t handle all the girl stuff. I got demerits for not attending the squad slumber party! I still enjoy getting sweaty and dirty. I like to run, but I don’t make as much time for it as I used to. Aren’t you into cycling, Wendy?Of course, being athletic does not rule out femininity. I never bulked up. Thanks, Christina! I didn’t come up with that, though. I remembered hearing it from another lady about four years ago who read it in another book. So, I have no idea where it came from! But I liked it so much I’ve remembered it all this time.
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I think it’s wonderful that you foudn out how satisfying it is to embrace your role as a woman of God, (of strength! I love that!)wife, and mother. There is something so special about the relationship between a husband and a wife if God’s view is honored. Thanks for sharing! I’ll be back to your blog.
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Interestingly I have seen a man wear womens jeans, and he didnt even know they were for women, neither do any of the people who see him wear them on a regular basis.I still wear jeans. I really want to wear skirts and dresses only however. You never see a man wear a dress, unless he is gothic and TRYING to dress like a woman to deliberately blur the roles.I think so much really depends on the cut of the jean. and women’s jeans need to be modest too… one major flaw of the woman’s jean is how tight they are, especially on teh thighs and derierre. They draw attention to the rear and crotch. So anyway thats my two cents.I hope one day I will wear only dresses and skirts. I also felt uncomfortable in them but, at one point i had enough to wear only that and after about two weeks they felt normal, after a few months, jeans felt awkward… (the reason I wear jeans again is because after this last baby i didnt lose enough to get into my skirts, i need to drop about twenty pounds, also, the jeans i wear are stretchy waist maternity jeans ! lol, i know i know i need to go shopping or lose some weight.)Mrs Meg Logan
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I’m with you with needing to lose about 20 pounds.
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I will share a bit….you really couldn’t get me out of jeans in my teens and twenties unless it was a special occasion. (I wasn’t a tomboy, but jeans were the thing, and I just would never have considered skirts and dresses for everyday) However, in my 30’s, it seemed God sort of did a work in me restorying my femininity, softness, etc…(I am 44 now)I grew up with a mom who wasn’t feminine in demeanor, was rather frustrated, angry, like a bulldozer at times with her temper. So…did not have a soft, nurturing role model. God has restored some of that in me…I generally wear skirts and dresses…pretty, but very comfy. (I refuse to be uncomfortable, but like to look like a lady!)I am a thrift store shopper, so have quite a nice wardrobe…I find the outward helps and reminds me of the inward…for me, a desire to be feminine. I also like to wear pearls, jewelery. p.s. I am a schoolbus driver, but still wear my nice skirts and dresses for work! –Patti–
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