STXWM Blog

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Let’s take one last trip to the bridal store to discuss gown restoration.

Bridal gowns are typically used once. They are often put away worn but not washed. When satin and silks sit in attics for years, the stains eat away at the delicate fabrics. What was barely noticeable – a dribble of punch or a smudge on the hem – becomes grossly exaggerated over time. Wives are often astonished when we pull our dress out of storage twenty-five years later to discover discolorations and yellowed sequins.

There’s a trend right now of brides wearing their mother’s dress to the rehearsal dinner. I’m all for it. An eighties bridal gown stripped of it’s pouffy sleeves and dripping pearls makes for a dashing party dress. I love the sentimentality of passing down something so special to be worn again.

Bridal gown remaking is yet another service we offer in the salon. And I believe there’s yet another illustration for us as the bride of Christ.

I asked Jesus into my heart as a first grader. My mom was preaching in a white clapboard country church. I now know her text to be Revelation 3:20, but she was imploring the congregation to open their heart to Jesus. Her words were illustrated by a familiar painting hung high in the sanctuary; Jesus standing at a door without a handle, a tear in His eye as He awaits entrance.

Apparently I’ve always been an empath and didn’t want to make Jesus cry.  Mom’s words swayed my soul and I happily opened the door to my heart to invite my Savior in. My over-active imagination envisioned Him hanging gingham curtains and setting a vase of flowers on the kitchen table as we learned to share a home together. 

This open-hearted relationship lasted almost a decade, unquestioned until high school. In the throes of teen angst, I experienced a crisis of faith. There were several contributing factors, but essentially, I felt let down by God. I was certain He existed, I just wasn’t convince He was good. I spent my sophomore year making poor choices, but by summer camp, I felt holy breath on the back of my neck; God was chasing me down again and I was helpless to resist.

Ultimately, it was a Michael W. Smith video that did me in. It’s a little cheesy now, but back in the day, Secret Ambition was the goriest live action crucifixion I’d seen. Again, I could not make my Savior cry. I opened the door of my heart once more; confessing my sins and recommitting my life.

The transformation was substantial. My friends noticed. My teachers made comments. My parents were wowed. If social media had been a thing, my relationship status would have been updated. I was all about Jesus, and truly, that’s never changed.

By the time graduation rolled around, I had a life verse. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, behold a new creation has come: the old is gone, the new is here.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) I had been reborn. I was being made new.

I’ve made a few trips around the sun since high school graduation and my love for Jesus continues to cultivate new habits. One of those habits is the prayerful selection of a word for each year. In 2018 my word was restoration. As I read through the bible from cover to cover that year and I was absolutely floored by how many times scripture refers to restoration. It became incredibly obvious, when repeated from Genesis to Revelation, that God’s goal for His people is restoration.

Let’s circle back to the bridal store and think again about the mother’s gowns being remade. It is astounding to see what a master seamstress can accomplish with what the world would throw away. Tired wedding dresses become party garments, baptismal gowns, ring-bearer pillows, bouquet wraps or even skillfully ornamented veils. Essentially, if you can dream it, the tailors can make it happen.

“And He who was seated on the the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5 NIV)

We, too, are being made new. God is continually working the old and stained stretches of our story into something new and useful and lovely. It is His joy to take us out of the shadows and into the light of His restorative attention. He’s not making another gown or trinket, He’s carefully crafting us into His image. This process isn’t done upon salvation, it’s only just begun. 

Lord, we are grateful to be made new. We acknowledge that our old self is tattered and torn, stained beyond recognition. Yet You wash us whiter than snow with Your sacrifice, Your Word and Your Spirit. We submit ourselves again, surrendered to the scissors, the needle and thread. Rework our tired frames for Your glory. Amen.