For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) (47 page)

“
I can’t wait! I feel so behind already.
”

Aggie looked closely at her niece.
“
What’s bothering you, Van? You look upset.
”

“
I’m not really upset, but I’ve been thinking about something.
”

Scooting over, Aggie made room on the bed next to her. She made a mental note to find a loveseat for her room for just these kinds of aunt-niece/nephew chats.
“
Come sit with me, and tell me what has you looking so troubled.
”

The girl fidgeted for a few seconds, and then blurted out,
“
We all overheard your argument with Mr. Markenson.
”

“
Yes. That wasn’t one of my shining moments, was it?
”

“
Well, actually, I thought you made a lot of sense. I never knew people might think we thought badly of them for wearing different clothes.
”

“
Well, I dare say William won’t be making that assumption again anytime soon.
”

“
Well, that’s just it. I was surprised when you came down in those pants.
”
Aggie watched as the girl struggled to articulate her thoughts, not unlike Luke’s frequent pauses and restarts.
“
I mean, I thought you didn’t wear pants
--
like us. Mommy never wore them, we weren’t allowed to wear them
--
well, the boys were
--
and you haven’t worn them before….
”
Vannie’s eyes were wide and earnest as she asked the burning question in her curious mind.
“
So, you think it’s ok for girls and women to wear pants?
”

“
Well, I’ve worn them most of my life, so I’d say so.
”

“
Then why were you mad at Mr. Markenson for saying he was glad you were
wearing them that day
?
”

“
Because he made unjust assumptions about me based upon what I wear. Since he’s always seen me in skirts, he just assumed that I was self-righteous about it, which, if you think about it, was awfully self-righteous of him.
”

“
So,
”
Vannie’s tendency to examine every question from every angle was not lost on the conversation.
“
If you think pants are ok, why don’t you wear them more often?
”

With a deep breath, a p-mail shot heavenward for wisdom, and a forced smile, Aggie tried to explain something she’d never had to articulate to anyone.
“
Vannie, I’m not going to discount your mother’s conviction on modesty standards, but I don’t share them. I wear skirts or dresses most of the time because I like them; I’m comfortable in them. I want to look and feel feminine, and dresses do that for me.
”
She paused, searching for the perfect words in her desire not to preach to and subsequently alienate her eldest niece.

At last, she thought she knew what to say.
“
You see, some people, your parents for instance, believe that the Bible requires women to wear only skirts or dresses
--
that because pants were originally worn by men in our culture, women are forbidden to wear them. That’s fine for them, but I don’t see that in scripture. I understand their argument, I have studied it, but I did not come to the same conclusion.
”

“
Right. So you got mad because he thought you believed like Mommy?
”

“
I got made because it’s frustrating when people assume that if you do wear skirts or dresses all the time that you believe everyone must
--
that they’re substandard Christians or something if they don’t. It’s, well, it’s making a judgment of someone’s motives
--
it’s judging the heart.
”

“
Jesus said not to judge, or you’ll be judged in the same way.
”

“
Right. I believe Jesus is telling us not to judge people’s hearts and motives
--
that only God can see the heart and therefore judge it.
”

Vannie nodded slowly as if beginning to understand.
“
So the reason you told Aunt Tina not to buy us jeans was because Mommy didn’t let us wear them?
”
The girl blushed.
“
Aunt Tina had me try some on anyway, but they looked weird and felt funny.
”

“
Well,
”
Aggie began, laughing,
“
with the kind of jeans she said you guys found, I don’t doubt it. She told me about that. She thought I meant you had enough jeans, but when you didn’t find any appropriate skirts or dresses, she thought she should get you
something
to wear.
”

“
Does Mrs. Sullivan believe like Mommy? Does she think that girls should only wear skirts or dresses? I don’t think I’ve seen her wear
pants
.
”
The girl’s struggle with some aspect of the topic was evident from the worry in her eyes to the wrinkled brow.

“
I just don’t know, Vannie. I’ve never asked.
”
She thought for a moment.
“
I think you’re right, though. I’m pretty sure I’ve only seen her in dresses
--
not even skirts I don’t think. Then again, until today I’d never unpacked mine.
”

“
Why not?
”

“
Well, as I said, I tend to prefer skirts anyway, but I think I probably subconsciously adopted a similar dress style. People tend to do that unless they have convictions against something or strong personal preferences. For example, skinny jeans make me feel claustrophobic, so I don’t own any.
”

“
So how do you know,
”
the girl persisted,
“
if someone believes like Mommy or is like you? How can you tell?
”

That question made Aggie nervous. Cautiously, and with each thought worded with Luke-like precision, she tried to handle the question as delicately as possible.
“
Vannie, why does it matter? Is it my business to know why someone wears anything? Why would you choose purple over brown or corduroy over denim? Why do some women wear a great variety of styles and articles and others have a more limited wardrobe?
”

“
But those aren’t
--”

“
They are the point, Vannie. They are. Your responsibility before God is to please Him in everything that you do and leave God’s convictions between Him and those He chooses to convict.
”
Her eyes widened in surprise as she realized what she’d just said.
“
That’s what I tried to explain to William. Instead, I got defensive and took up an offense for people who could probably care less what William thinks of their wardrobe choices.
”

Although Vannie seemed visibly relieved, Aggie could see lingering doubts in the girl’s expression.
“
You know, while you all live with me, I want you to wear dresses. It honors your parents’ wishes for you, but I want you to study this. Go to the Bible and read everything it says about clothing, modesty, femininity, masculinity. Everything. I’ll find you articles by people who hold your parents’ convictions and by those who don’t. Examine what each side uses to back up their position. Are their arguments scriptural? See if they trying to excuse behavior with verses taken out of context. Make sure they are not trying to require behavior with verses taken out of context. Take it all to the Lord and see where He guides you through your study. Just base your own convictions on the Word. Don’t base them on what I think or even on what your parents thought. Base them only on the Word.
”

“
I don’t understand something.
”
Vannie’s eyes were narrowed in that way that always made her look angry when she was actually concentrating.

“
What is that?
”

“
Well, you say to study the Bible for myself, but you also say I have to follow Mommy and Daddy’s convictions for us. Why do I have to follow one if I come to a different conclusion?
”

Aggie had begun to think Vannie would make an excellent lawyer.
“
Well, it’s like I asked William. Is it a sin to wear them even if you don’t believe you must?
”

“
Well, no but
--”

“
Then, as I said,
”
Aggie interrupted quickly before the girl could add any more arguments to the table.
“
We’ll wear them in this house to honor the preferences your parents had for you. That is something that I believe is commendable. I can’t do everything exactly how your parents would, but this one is so easy, I can’t justify not doing it.
”
She glanced toward her own closet, thinking of her favorite jeans, the long Bermuda shorts she’d never had a chance to wear that summer, and her favorite wool dress pants. Before she could change her mind, she added,
“
I think I’ll toss my pants just so none of you feel like I’m setting a double standard.
”

“
Oh, Aunt Aggie, no! You don’t have to do that. The girl tried to apologize, visibly distraught that her questions had created such a ‘terrible loss’ for her aunt.

“
Of course, I don’t have to, but Vannie, they’re just clothes. If I’m going to require this of you, I want to be an example to you and your sisters. Remember, it isn’t a
sin
if I choose not to do what I believe I can.
”

She scrambled from the bed, found an old pillowcase in a stack of linens she hadn’t been able to dispose of yet, and rifled through her closet finding the few pairs of pant-like garments that she owned. They stuffed them in the old pillowcase and tossed it in the corner. As she led Vannie from the room, Aggie whispered with a giggle,
“
Besides, William will be frustrated when he realizes that he has never seen me in pants again.
”

Later that afternoon, Libby pulled Aggie aside and gave her a warm hug.
“
Young lady, you are wise beyond your years. I overheard you with Vannie earlier. I heard voices from the window and went up to tell her to let you rest. When I heard what was bothering her, I was arrogant and just ‘knew’ you’d need my help, but I learned much from you. Thank you.
”