Easter is a time when we celebrate newness. Resurrection. Rebirth.
We rejoice not only in the victory of our Savior, but in the hope that it brings to each one of us – our own newness, resurrection, and rebirth in Him.
And in this era of more casual worship where we’ve gone away from the tradition of putting on our “Sunday Best” each week, Easter is different.
Because on Resurrection Day, we want to display outwardly what we celebrate inwardly. That we are clean, we are fresh, we are new.
Reborn.
Hope Place at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission is in the business of watching lives start anew every day. Serving victims of domestic violence and drug addiction, this week they are partnering with Darcy Camden of Styled Seattle and Sydney Mintle of Gossip & Glamour for an extra-special event: a two-day Easter styling extravaganza to residents.
So their exterior, too, can reflect the freshness of their interior.
Often estranged from family and friends, women enter the Hope Place recovery program with little hope or self-respect and sometimes with only the clothes on their backs. Over the course of a year, they experience love and trust, break addictions, learn about God’s unconditional love and acceptance, and rebuild their families and lives with dignity and respect. Some children live on site with their moms, while other children live with relatives as their mom continues the journey to recovery.
Easter is time of joyous family reunions.
And this year the women and children will be given a professionally-chosen Easter outfit, along with personalized styling and fashion ideas from local stylists and fashion bloggers.
For some of the children, it will be their first Easter dress ever.
And for many of the women, it will be an opportunity to finally reflect the change that has occurred in their lives.
Resident Connie says, “If you saw me a year ago, you wouldn’t even recognize me. I’m a totally different person and now I have a new outfit to match.”
So often we say that the outside doesn’t matter. And it’s true – God looks at our hearts.
But there’s something about putting on something fresh, clean, and new. You walk a little taller. Smile a little wider. Speak with a little more confidence.
And that’s what the residents of Hope Place who began new lives this past year are experiencing this week.
Because that’s the difference an Easter dress makes.
