White Dresses, Hot Dogs, and Jesus

I was shopping recently with a friend when she tried on a dress that looked fantastic on her. The only concern? The material was very stretchy. Immediately, I was transported back about thirty years.

When I was in high school, my mom, grandma, and I were shopping when I found the dress. You know the one. The dress that makes you feel sophisticated, grown-up, and like you've somehow wandered into a movie scene.

It was white with a unique panel across the stomach area. I loved it. I stepped out of the dressing room and asked my grandma what she thought.

Without missing a beat, she looked at me and said, "Well, you better not eat a hot dog, or it will show."

Whaaaaat? Hilarious. My grandma giggled a little. But also, true that.

And somehow, thirty years later, I still remember that moment every time I see a fitted white dress.

The funny thing is that most of us carry around our own version of "the hot dog comment."

Maybe it's something someone said about your appearance.

Your personality.

Your parenting.

Your age.

Your weight.

Your abilities.

Your mistakes.

The words may have been spoken years ago, but they still echo in our minds.

We spend so much energy trying to hide the things we think make us less lovable, less valuable, or less worthy. But Jesus never asks us to earn our worth. He never says, "Make sure nothing shows." He never tells us to become flawless before coming to Him.

Instead, He reminds us that we are already His creation—crafted with intention, known completely, and loved fully.

Psalm 139 says:

"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Notice it doesn't say, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made as long as I avoid hot dogs."

Or wrinkles.

Or gray hair.

Or mistakes.

Or imperfect seasons.

God's love isn't dependent on maintaining an image. His love is rooted in His character.

The older I get, the more grateful I am for that truth. Because eventually, every white dress gets a little tighter, every body changes, and every one of us discovers we aren't as polished as we hoped.

Thankfully, Jesus isn't looking for polished. He's looking for people willing to trust Him. And that is a freedom no dress size can ever give.

This Week’s Faith Habit

Write one encouraging note.

This week, handwrite a note, card, or sticky note to someone who may be carrying their own "hot dog comment."

Tell them something beautiful, specific, and true about who they are. A few sincere words have the power to stay with someone for decades. Let's make sure the words we leave behind are the kind that build people up.