Last Sunday, I had an experience at church that made me rethink my long-held beliefs. A woman walked into the sanctuary covered in visible tattoos and piercings, wearing an outfit that was far from what I considered appropriate for worship. Growing up, I was taught that church was a place for modesty and respect, reflected in how we dress and act. Seeing her bold style immediately made me uncomfortable, and I felt a urge to say something.
After the service, I approached her. I gently suggested that her clothing might be a bit too flashy for church and that she might want to consider something more subdued next time. She looked at me calmly and replied, “You don’t care about my appearance.” Her words hit me harder than I expected. Was I really concerned about respecting the church, or was I just holding onto outdated ideas about what people should look like?
That moment forced me to reflect. In trying to enforce my own standards, I was risking pushing someone away from a place meant for welcome and community. Maybe God cares more about the sincerity in our hearts than the clothes on our backs. Since that day, I’ve tried to focus less on how people look and more on why they’re there—to seek connection, peace, and understanding, just like me.
