You Weren’t Ordained The Ministry of Drab Sexlessness

Ann sent me these photos of her KICKIN, CRAZY shoes, and I LOVE them. Ann assures us that she wears these as a way to add some fun to an otherwise tailored outfit, which is exactly right. The other thing that is exactly right is Ann’s perfect, bright pedicure. No, she wouldn’t wear these shoes for Sundays, nor would she display those tootsies while serving Communion. But why shouldn’t she have fun feet for the rest of the week?

These are outrageous shoes that not everyone can get away with. These are shoes that require beautifully cared-for feet and ankles. Ann’s got ’em. She has lovely, smooth tanned legs, not stubbly, rough ones (and I’m sorry, but that’s important). She obviously loves these fun shoes and knows what to wear them with.

Here’s Ann on a night out with her honey. Again, she knows that this is not a work-appropriate outfit, but why not have some FUN with your clothes when you’re out? She’s stylish, she’s a bit wild, her hair and make-up and personal style are perfect with that dress, and the girl’s obviously got a thing for animal prints.
Look how cute (although I would omit the necklace and perhaps go for some dangly earrings, but that’s a mere trifle! And I could never wear anything like this in the first place!):

You don’t wear a top/dress like that without major confidence, which Ann obviously has. She reminds me of the German and Scandinavian women I’ve known in my life who have a touch of flamboyance in their dress and an ability to pull stuff like this off. It just works for them.

I can imagine Ann out with her honey in this outfit. She runs into a parishioner at the party or the restaurant or on the dance floor, and she’s confident and comfortable enough with herself to greet them warmly and enthusiastically without being distracted by the thought, “Oh my, they’re seeing me in THIS!”

You are one person, my doves. You are not two people: pastor and “real” woman/man/bigender human. You should never, ever fear being “caught” in the act of being yourself. What you should do is strive for a style that expresses all that you are, including the wild aspect of your being.
This is not a small matter.