Modesty for all Times, even when Homeless

 ModestyHomeless

Modesty for all Times, even when Homeless

by Rita Davidson

 

Some people might call me stubborn. St. Therese was stubborn they said, I think it can work in our favor. (well sometimes!) 🙂 That stubbornness has helped me continue with my modesty work since 1999, against every obstacle, including our latest FIRE!

Modesty for all times, even while homeless. YES, seriously, homeless. After our fire, we were thrust out into the street literally. With no insurance and nowhere to go, we were left in God’s good hands. And I do say God’s GOOD hands.

This is a picture story from the time of our fire. To show how I was always able to dress modestly in skirts every single day, even though we lost all our clothes in the fire!

If I can do it while homeless, with nothing but a petticoat and t-shirt to my name, you can do it too!

#1 Fire InterviewHere we are for our CTV News interview just a few days after the fire. July 21, 2013

This was at the trailer we lived in for 7 weeks. Here I am in clothes donated to me by neighbors. Within a few hours of our fire, our neighbor Beth had come out with a basket of skirts for me to wear! Later others brought more skirts to share. Beautiful ones too! Even being plus-sized I was lucky these popular broomstick skirts fit well. I am forever grateful for the compassion they showed us that first day.

#2LiamwrappedinSkirtAugust 21, 2013: Here is Liam wrapped up in the same skirt from the above day. I remember how joyous a moment it was to have him do this, after such a tragedy. 🙂

#3BalloonsbirthdaySeptember 10, 2013: This was the day we moved to our cabin. This was the only way I could get Joseph inside – with balloons!  Here I am wearing a skirt my dear friend, BobiBeth sent me, a vest and shirt from used stores! Mark found me a pair of FINN shoes from our recycle trailer, that I’ve been wearing ever since! (oh my gosh, have you ever googled FINN shoes, they are like $300 on Amazon! eek! no wonder they are so comfortable!)

#4telephoneColdNovember 10, 2013: Making phone calls at our cabin. We had no indoor toilets, showers, internet or phone. So walked 75 feet uphill to this cabin for it. Here I sat, well into December and -20C temperatures, making phone calls about Trust funds, building, and more. *sigh (keep in mind the bathrooms -and our cabin- were nice and cozy warm!)

#5ChristmasinmotelDecember 25, 2013: Here we are Christmas day, at the Best Western Hotel who donated us two rooms for the Christmas Season 2013! Oh the luxury! LOL

#6closetrailervestsMarch 6, 2014: Here we are at our temporary trailer, setting up my tiny closet with all the used clothes I collected. Top shelf is full of Vests, (my new favorite) and underneath Jackets and skirts. God provides all I needed!

#7jacketscarvesMarch 18, 2014:  Still at our temporary trailer, after I started blogging again. Here i am showing off a beautiful used jacket I found for $6 and one of my many scarves I re-collected from used shops and sales! And those are Vambraces on my arm…fingerless and so warm in winter. I got them for $1 !!!!  I love how they look too! 🙂

#8ApronstooMarch 27, 2014: finally settling into our temporary trailer. And I have a kitchen!! You have no idea how much you miss having a kitchen when you are living for 6 months without one!!!! 🙂 With a kitchen comes aprons! And if only I would wear them more often, I would need less stain remover! LOL (my sweet friend Dessi must show me how! 🙂

#9everydaymirrorApril 7, 2014: Finally with a mirror on our narrow hallway, here I am showing off a unique, used vest I got and that same skirt from Bobibeth. 🙂

#10notsurefancierApril 9, 2014: Here was a pic of a vest, I think this was too fancy for me? A used vest, with used suede skirt and new scarf…Just didn’t feel me. Too easy to get dirty. I’m still deciding… 🙂

#11casual, warmerApril 12, 2014: Warmer weather is coming. Here I was with a shirt from Walmart and that same skirt from Bobibeth. (I guess I wear my same clothes pretty often!) 🙂

#13everdayApril 21, 2014:  An everyday look for me. This skirt is the only one that was saved from our fire! YES! Mark found it in the rubble, and after a few washes for stains, it’s as good as new. No other clothing was saved from the fire that was usable.

#14PrettyCupMay 7, 2014: Good morning time! Morning coffee time with pretty cups! Everyone on my Facebook page will have seen all these pics (and more) And join me for morning coffee there! This is before my hair is dry or makeup on! My modesty is for real. Not puffed up, fake or vain. I can go without make up when needed or open the door for our mail man, with wet hair. I can dig through rubble from our fire, with tears streaming down my face and tripping on my skirts. Modesty is me, its in my blood. I live and breathe modesty and I pray to show you all how.

Do I like to look pretty? Sure I do! There is a time and place for everything and I am just so thankful that God provided a way, for me to dress modestly, at the direst of times, when homeless and penniless. And He will for you too, when you are faithful.

Some of you need to hear this. Sometimes our excuses get in the way of making the leap. It’s too hot, it’s too cold, I can’t find any skirts, the list goes on. There will always be an excuse to hold us back unless we just DO IT.

There is no excuse, except for the ones we make up ourselves that make this impossible. All things are possible for those that love God! May Our Lady grant you the grace to see the truth always, and the courage to embrace it when needed!

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

 With love,

Rita Xo 🙂

©Copyright 2014 Rita Davidson All   Rights Reserved.

IMG_0905Rita is a Catholic wife, and mother of seven, with three autistic boys. Currently a writer, & published author, she is a former hairdresser, professional make up artist with a degree in Natural Health. She is now a Young Living Distributor. After overcoming a stroke, disabilities, and more, they recently lost everything in a devastating house fire that made them homeless for six months. She is determined to lead souls back to Christ by carrying their crosses with Joy!

Comments

11 responses to “Modesty for all Times, even when Homeless”

  1. Dessi Avatar
    Dessi

    I love…love this post!! Your modesty is so gentle, so simple so deep and so beautiful….just like Our Blessed Mother!!!

    1. Rita Davidson Avatar
      Rita Davidson

      Awww Dessi,
      You are too sweet!
      God bless you
      ~Rita
      Author: :Immodesty, Satan’s Virtue (2001) and more…

  2. Patricia Kimmerly Avatar
    Patricia Kimmerly

    Hi Rita,
    What a blessing you are to me. I struggle to wear modest clothes for what seems like a million excuses but I am constantly convicted of the need for modesty. The one big step I’ve taken is that I am very careful not to wear any tight pants, shorts or low cut tops; however, I still feel the need to wear sleeveless shirts in warm weather and I really hate skirts. I have started wearing a simple hat (head covering) to all Masses. No other women in our parish wears a head covering & although I feel somewhat conspicuous I am becoming more comfortable & nobody has said anything. My husband isn’t too sure he likes it but I have told him I feel better wearing it & I believe God wants me too. Please keep praying for all of us struggling to be modest. I have one question in particular …. You know how the Bible says we are to pray without ceasing. If we are always in an attitude of prayer, do you think we women should be wearing a head covering at all times, not just at Mass? I appreciate your response. May God continue to bless you & your family abundantly.
    Patricia Kimmerly

    1. Rita Davidson Avatar
      Rita Davidson

      Hi Patricia,
      Thank you so much for writing and I truly sympathize with your struggles! There is a quote from my book, Immodesty, Satan’s Virtue (2001), from St. John Chrysostom that says, “Where virtue is, there are many snares.” And it is soooo true. Whenever we are about to make some progress the devil will be right there to present to us all the obstacles against it. We are all coming from a different journey and find ourselves with unique struggles. Some of us struggle with wearing pants, others struggle with how short they are, others with sleeveless shirts. The one thing we have to remind ourselves here, is that it’s not (necessarily) about our ‘comfort’. I mean, was Our lord, ‘comfortable’ on the cross? That really puts it in perspective when we look at it that way. I think you should start by praying to Our Lady to guide you. She has never lead anyone wrong, and with a sincere intention she will enlighten you to what is needed. Next I would try to educate yourself about modesty. The more you understand the need for it, the more you will feel confident in embracing it. Have you read my book, Immodesty, Satan’s Virtue? I wrote about headcoverings and praying without ceasing, in it. I have an article on this site about headcoverings here, It is a very important point though that I think we all need to consider!
      I’ll leave you with this quote, “The devil, seeing that there is no shorter road to the summit of perfection than that of obedience, artfully insinuates many repugnances and difficulties under color of good, to prevent us from following it.” St. Teresa
      I pray Our Lady to guide you and hope you’ll join me here, for many upcoming surprises to be released soon!
      God bless you,
      ~Rita
      Author: Immodesty, Satan’s Virtue (2001) and more…

      1. Patricia Kimmerly Avatar
        Patricia Kimmerly

        Thank you so much for your reply Rita … and your prayers too! I have read your modesty book but it was quite a few years ago. I am going to get it out & read it again this coming week. I will also take your advice re praying to Our Lady for guidance. God bless you.

        1. Rita Davidson Avatar
          Rita Davidson

          Patricia, Your very welcome!
          Keep that book you have close, it’s a very “WANTED” book since it’s been out of print! 🙂
          and I want to hear from you again, your progress or struggles.
          God bless you Patricia
          ~Rita
          Author: Immodesty, Satan’s Virtue (2001) and more…

  3. Dina Avatar
    Dina

    Hi Rita!! I have been struggling with this issue for quite some time. I guess I ‘ m just not convinced that we have to wear skirts all the time. I do want to read your book, if I ever get a copy :)) I have gone back and forth and I know I may be making excuses. I will really devote some prayer time to this and see what happens. Also, my husband does not care for skirts – not sure how that fits in!! LOL Would you mind sharing your thoughts about what to do when your husband doesn’t want you to where skirts all the time. Thanks Rita!

    1. Rita Davidson Avatar
      Rita Davidson

      Hi Dina,
      Thank you so much for sharing your struggle with me. It is a real step out on faith to jump to wearing skirts and all it entails before really understanding. So, I would spend some time in prayer, especially to Our Lady. Don’t feel rushed. Our Lady will ensure you get the right information at the right time. There are a few articles on our website with Quotes, Cardinal Siri letter to Women. Have a look at those (you can also read about Our Lady’s Modesty Crusade there too.) If you haven’t joined our email list please join it as I am working on a few upcoming surprises that might help you in this area! Watch for upcoming blog posts as well!
      God bless you,
      ~Rita
      Author: Immodesty, Satan’s Virtue (2001) and more…

  4. Marilyn Avatar
    Marilyn

    This post came at the PERFECT time for me! Just this week, I had really begun to despise my wardrobe. Yes, I dressed more modestly than most, and even in skirts some of the time. But I have not been “dresses only” in YEARS, and dearly wanted to get back to that! I am also plus size, and have really ZERO “disposable income” to spend on myself for new skirts and tops (I have a ton of t-shirts with sayings, but very few actually good shirts for everyday). I think (maybe this is MY ministry to start?) that one thing that is desperately needed as an adjunct to your campaign for modest dress is a website for those of us in need, and those of us who can share what they have–a modest clothing exchange. It’s been tried on Yahoo and facebook, with limited success. But if the word gets out, and is shared by everyone, that there is a website to go to, who knows? Maybe we would have a very viable and necessary ministry going! What do you think, Rita?

    1. Rita Davidson Avatar
      Rita Davidson

      Hello Marilyn,
      So glad this post came at a perfect time. Only God could make such lofty plans like perfect timing! 🙂
      I think a ‘modest clothing exchange’ is a GREAT idea! Whether it would work is another question? You said, “It’s been tried on Yahoo and facebook, with limited success.” Pray about it ALOT, and see if this is worth the effort.
      Will you make money from this effort??
      Do you have time for this effort?
      If you have no disposable income to start a venture like this, it might drain what you have?
      Be sure to let me know what you come up with, I’d be more than happy to support it! 🙂
      With that said, having disposable income to spend on skirts is a matter of perspective…☺ watch for Monday’s blog post about this very topic!
      With love,
      Rita Xo ☺
      Author: Immodesty, Satan’s Virtue (2001) and more…

  5. irma Avatar
    irma

    Thank you for your beautiful Posts about modesty! I love modesty and imitating Our Lady!
    I either wear Long skirts or Dresses to the ankles or I wear Pants and skirts over the Pants at least to the knees as I feel more comfortable not to Show my legs. My favorite style is Indian, Long loose garments, absolutely modest and feminine, or of Muslim women, who Dress also very decently!
    God bless you all!
    Best regards from Austria, Europe
    Irma

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