Just Ask Georgia: 11/13/2024

Georgia, I have a question,

Last Sunday, I saw something at church that really unsettled me. A woman, probably in her 40s, walked in covered in tattoos and numerous piercings. She looked homeless, her clothes were fairly ratty, and she didn’t smell the best. For me, the church has always been a place to put your best foot forward, a place of modesty and reverence, and I couldn’t help but feel like she could have tried harder when visiting such a sacred space.

After the service, I decided to approach her. I tried to be polite, but I told her that her look wasn’t appropriate for church and that she should try harder the next time she visited. She looked at me and replied, “How I look has nothing to do with you or my relationship to God.” I was outraged. Shouldn’t there be some standards for how we present ourselves in a place of worship?

DRESSED TO THE NINES

Dear NINES,

Oh my... did it ever occur to you that perhaps that was her “Sunday Best?” The church is not a place to hold your social status above others but a place to embrace everyone in all shapes and forms. Your comments may have turned her off to your church altogether - was that your goal?

Honestly, I give the lady her much-deserved kudos—she is right. Her appearance should not insult your “best foot forward,” and it should not insult you or reflect on her relationship with God. Mind your own business next time, and try to be less judgmental.

With love, GEORGIA

Have a question for Georgia? Email her at whledger@gmail.com.

Please note: this column is just for fun. No person, animal, or property has ever been harmed or in danger. Satire is “the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.”