The Gracious Bride

Short engagements and high expectations will stretch even the most gracious bride to the breaking point. The best way to demonstrate graciousness is to expect stressful situations and plan accordingly.

1. She is Forgiving and Forbearing

Prepare for people problems. Planning a wedding means dealing with people and people mean problems.

 

Understand that offences and errors will come. Exploding does not fix anything and usually requires clean up. Problems happen for a reason and may even cause a better result.

 

2. She has Seasoned Speech

Practice gracious replies for negative comments, compliments, and dealing with problems before they arise.

 

Practice graciousness when speaking about sizing. This is a sensitive issue whether coming from a large or small person. Comments about a dress making you look fat when you are wearing a size 8 can sound prideful to others.

 

It's best to use general comments when you dislike a style on you as in "this isn't the style I was looking for" or "I don't care for the fullness." These are less offense and shows respect of other's feelings.

 

3. She is Discreet



Keep private matters private. Wedding planning involves close contact and communication discovering sensitive issues about someone. Not everything needs to be shared with others.

 

Learn to read peoples expressions and reactions. If you see someone is uncomfortable with a wedding decision be sensitive of their needs or beliefs.

 

Control yourself in uncomfortable situations. Don't make a scene this only draws more attention to what you are uncomfortable about. Use your practiced reply.

 

4. She is Genuinely Kind and Considerate

Humbleness is not discounting the compliments of others. That only discredits their opinion.

 

Be aware of all of the people in your presence. Acknowledge everyone that you can especially if the event is to honor you.

 

Learn to graciously say NO to overly helpful people and unnecessary offers. People that care about you can show their excitement by wanting to help not thinking that you may have plans for that area. Thank them for their offer and tell what area you could use some help so they can feel useful.

 

Treat family kindly. Stress can cause us to take our frustrations out on those closest to us. When the wedding is over you are still family and you don't want to have resentment over wedding plans.

 

5. She Fears the Lord

"Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 30:31

 

Do you have a reverential fear of God? When it all comes down to it true graciousness comes from within, it really can't be faked. People know if you are genuinely gracious.

 

As a Christian bride you represent the church of the living God. Graciousness is a typical characteristic of the church; wouldn't you say?

 

Keep in mind your Heavenly Father knows the desires of your heart and ordains all circumstances you will deal with because all things are for our good and His glory. Prepare to represent your faith in the best possible form, because this day really isn't all about you. It's about creating a God ordained family. 

 

Happy Planning,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to use this article? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Owner of Simply Elegant, Dana Ellison publishes "Fancy That" a monthly e-zine. Get your FR*EE modest brides shopping guide: "What Every MODEST Bride MUST Know to Turn Wedding Gown Shopping into a Delightful Experience" at www.simplyelegantforyou.com . Get updates, ideas and sneak peaks on her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/simplyelegantforyou



Tell Us Your Modest Story!

I enjoyed reading Michelle Duggar's blog post about "Why She Chose Modest". It brought back many memories for me as a young Christian believer and the MANY conversations I had (excuses I made) with the Lord about my clothing. It's similar to a salvation experience, trying to reason things in your mind and learning to discern the Holy Spirits voice in your head.

As a child my precious mother always dressed me and my sister in our best Sunday dresses for church services, so church and dresses were synonymous. As a teenage I stopped attending church and didn't attend again faithfully for 4 years. Because we were attending more regularly my Sunday best wasn't always appropriate for the church activities so I began having to buy more causal dresses. Of course, many of those weren't modest either, but when a baby starts walking he's not too good at it.

With a daily diet of God's Word the Holy Spirit began to speak to me about wearing pants and shorts; you know, like when you knew you weren't suppose to do something and did it anyway and your mother would mention it to you? I hated that guilty feeling! As my relationship with my Saviour grew the more I wanted to please Him which made it a pleasure to dress modestly. After all Christ did for me I wanted to live my life to please and honor him. That's when modesty becomes REAL not RULES.

Maybe the one of the reason's we are seeing more Christian ladies dressing immodestly is because we aren't telling our stories. Just as when you were saved, you have a story to tell of the God's kindness and patience, woooing you to Himself you also have a story of His working in your life conforming you to the image of Christ. Let's start telling our modest story.

You can tell your's right now in the comment box below! Then purpose to share it with some you know.

Teaching Modesty

The responsibility and influence Christian teachers have is such a tremendous opportunity. This article greatly encouraged me since modesty is where my heart is. What a great reminder of the importance of praying for the teachers in our schools as they help shape the lives of our young people.

Modesty: the Lost Identity