I know I've shared this verse w/ you before & even talked about what I'm going too, but I think in light of all the "marches" & protests it might just be a good reminder for us. Jake has always been my crazy dresser. Well he's always just been my crazy kid. If anybody's name was going to be repeated over & over....& over, it was going to be his. I've said many times, "Jake, I shouldn't have to keep saying your name!!!" The sad thing is at 23, I'm still saying that on occasion. Anyway, back to his choices in fashion. When he was about 3 he found great joy in wearing those black rubber boots. He called them "his farm boots." He wore them everywhere, for every season, every situation, didn't matter he put them on everyday. He loved them b/c (his words) "I don't have to wait for someone to help me, he was 3 couldn't tie, I don't have to wear socks, even though he should have, sweaty feet in rubber boots don't make for pleasant odors, and if I get them dirty I can pour water on them & they come clean!!" They were the perfect solution for this happy 3 yr old. Well my mom was taking Trev & Jake shopping & was going to buy them tennis shoes. Trevor picks his out, Power Ranger I'm sure, & Jake picks out--yep--black rubber boots!! My mom did her best to talk him out of them but he was not changing his mind. Trevor even said, in his disgusted voice when Jake was getting on his nerves, "Grandma, that's all he wears & mom let's him!!" Trevor has often questioned my parenting choices w/ his siblings even at the tender age of 5. So they get home, this was before cell phones & she couldn't call to let me know what was up, & my mom is telling me how she tried to talk him out of them but he wasn't having it. I told her I was sorry, I should've warned her about his shoe choice. She said that she did buy him the boots. He was excited!! He knew each morning what he was going to "clothe" himself with, these boots!! It was something each day he would put on. He's had many different choices in clothes that has been against my & Trevs better judgement, but he's put them on each day. What brought all this thinking on of what we clothe ourselves with, was seeing his Tide racing jacket that he bought at the Goodwill store a couple years ago that he has yet to part with...but it reminded me of this verse.. Colossians 3:12- Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy & dearly loved, clothe yourselves w/ compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness & patience. These are things that we should "put on" each day. No matter what!! Doesn't matter if it's not "in style" or that other people look at us like we're weird, these are the things that God says to make sure we have on. It's not always easy, especially when people are mean & unkind to us, to think we should be kind to them, is almost crazy. But the beginning of this verse speaks volumes..."as Gods chosen people" He's chosen us--& this is how He wants us to dress!! I think it's something we should make sure we put on each day. So just like those favorite black rubber boots of Jakes, let's take The kindness & all the others & make sure we have them on when we walk out our door!!!