My Pretty Old Coat

Somehow . . .

for the past 20 years . . .

I have kept the dream alive . . .

that I would, at some time, be able to lose weight.

Therefore . . .

while I have certainly not kept all of my 20 year old clothes . . .

there are a few pieces that have stayed in my closets . . .

as we have moved 5 times in 20 years.

20+ years ago . . .

I bought a Nice Wool Coat.

Oh how I loved that coat!

It was a pretty, bright color.

It was warm.

It was the most expensive piece of clothing I'd ever purchased.

(only because I had never purchase any expensive clothes . . .

for me, "expensive" clothing is anything over $20)

So . . .

that Pretty Old Coat hung in my closet . . .

for all of these long years.

Sometimes I felt mocked by that dear coat . . .

"Ha!  You will never be skinny enough to wear me again!"

"How foolish to hang on to me for so long."

Other times I felt encouraged when I saw it hanging there . . .

"I'm still here.  I'm waiting for you.  I'm still beautiful."

"I trust that you will wear me again some day."

Some days I wondered if there might be a Pretty Young Gal . . .

that might like my Pretty Old Coat.

(But it was just "too nice" to give to the Goodwill.)

Back in November . . .

I sheepishly pulled the Pretty Old Coat from the closet . . .

and hesitatingly looked at the tag to see what size it was.

Oh dear!  

It was much smaller than I thought it was.

I was sure it would still be a very long time before I could put it on.

Two weeks ago . . .

I carefully pulled the Pretty Old Coat out of it's Dry Cleaner's Plastic Bag.

I just wanted to try it on . . .

to see if I was even getting close to having it fit.

It slipped right on.

I pulled it across my now-much-smaller chest.

And . . .

I buttoned that Pretty Old Coat right up.

Seriously ?!?!

It fits ?!?!

I nearly cried.

Now . . .

as we all know . . .

bright "fashionable" colors come and go over the years.

What is "fashionable" this year . . .

may be completely "out of style" in 5 years . . .

but . . .

it may just come back into style in 20 years.

This year . . .

Bright Teal is "My" New Color.

I have a Beautiful New Teal  Leather Purse.

My Favorite Winter Sweater is Teal.

I bought a Teal Backpack when I was in California,

because I had bought a few things and didn't

have room in my suitcase.  (smile)

Of course, the backpack was on clearance for $11.

Does that mean that Teal is no longer the "In" Color?

I have a Fun & Bright Teal iPhone Case.

(Taking pics with my iPhone today,

so can't get a pic of the Cute Teal Case.)

Guess what color the Pretty Old Coat is?

Dark Teal.

Of course.

Only God could orchestrate such a GIFT.

My "Old" Black Wool Coat is a Size 1X.

(purchased a couple of years ago)

My "New" Pretty Teal Wool Coat is a Size 9/10.

(purchased 20+ years ago)

Mama is Doin' The Happy Dance . . .

in my "New" Teal Wool Coat !!!

To be honest . . .

my Pretty Old Coat is no longer in "Perfect Condition" . . .

it has a couple of small moth holes.

But . . .

those little old moth holes don't bother me at all.

In fact . . .

I, too, am "old" . . . 

and no longer in "Perfect Condition" . . .

and definitely feel like I've been chewed on a bit . . .

If my Pretty Old Coat was in Perfect Condition . . .

I would be hesitant to wear it.

I would only pull it out for church.

I would want to keep it "Perfect".

But . . .

because it is worn . . .

it actually seems more comfortable . . .

and I am more comfortable in it.

There is no longer any pretense of being in Perfect Condition . . .

for me . . . 

or my Pretty Old Coat.

I am going to wear my Pretty Old Coat every day.

I will wear it to church . . .

but I will also wear it to the grocery store . . .

and the coffee shop . . .

and the mall.

Others may notice its imperfections.

The collar is probably not the "In" style this year.

Some may notice the little moth eaten "scars".

But . . .

for me . . .

it is all part of the character . . . 

of my Pretty Old Coat.

Others may also notice my imperfections.

I've given up on trying to look perfect.

My body will never be perfect.

My marriage will never be perfect.

My family will never be perfect.

I will never be the perfect mother.

But . . .

for those that truly love me . . .

I believe that my "scars" and imperfections . . .

only add to my comfortable character.

I hope that we can all rejoice . . . 

in the "scars" and imperfections . . .

that make us who we are . . .

that add comfortable character to our lives.

Let's stop trying to pursue perfection.

Let's stop pretending that we have attained it.

Let's all enjoy the "Pretty Old Coats" that the Lord has given us.