June 19, 2007 by Stacy McDonald
Walking Billboards
As obedient children, not fashioning (conforming) yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. (1 Peter 1:14, KJV)
Recently, in a department store with my children, I noticed a mother shopping with her teenaged daughter. The daughter’s attire made my heart sink. It was not the typical, tight, low-slung blue jeans she wore, nor the clingy t-shirt that revealed her midriff that made me shake my head, although they were noticeable enough. What grieved me most were the ironic words emblazoned across her chest: “What Would Jesus Do?”
I contemplated a reply to her question that seemed to beg an answer. I thought of taking her hand and gently saying, “Jesus would do and did do many things, but I can’t imagine Him ever having shown us His bellybutton. He certainly would have told you to put some clothes on—in fact He has; it’s in this little book I’d like to give you. . . .”
Instead, I focused on distracting my children, some of whom were at eye level with her navel ring. Maybe I missed an opportunity to speak truth to a naïve young Christian. Would she have been willing to listen? I don’t know, but I hope readers here are.
In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation. . . . (1 Timothy 2:9)
It is possible that this girl and her mother are not even Christians, but are instead a part of the growing number of non-Christians who think it’s “hip” to dress in Jesus-wear. [At the time time of the original writing of this article, it was all the rage in Hollywood for starlets like Madonna and Brittney Spears to wear "Jesus is My Homeboy" t-shirts]
However, let’s assume for a moment that they are both Christians—Christians who are simply so desensitized by today’s sensual culture that they don’t even realize they’re giving others a false presentation of the purity of Christ by their appearance. The daughter is simply wearing what “everyone else” wears, and neither of them thinks anything of it. In fact, they may both truly think she is being a better witness for Christ by wearing her t-shirt. Nevertheless, consider this possible scenario:
A young man nonchalantly approaches the pair in the store and quietly stands in front of the daughter, boldly staring at her chest. Slowly, he begins to read the sentence with some difficulty: “Whaaaa . . .t would Jes. . . .” The girl and her mother, irritated, have difficulty finding the proper words to rebuke him, since, after all, she has openly invited people to read the words plainly printed across her bosom, simply by wearing the t-shirt.
Finally, her mother scolds him for staring—for taking so long reading the short sentence. The young man not-so-innocently defends his rudeness by explaining the trouble he is having making out the letters, since they are quite distorted by what is so clearly underneath her t-shirt.
Horrified, mother and daughter run out of the store in tears, lamenting the perversion of men and the lack of gentlemen in the world.
Maybe you are as shaken as the mother and daughter in my story, but what exactly shocked you? Perhaps the graphic nature of my example caught you off guard, even offended you. However, we must remember that we encounter shocking scenes every day—at the grocery store, driving down the street, and even at church.
The real question is whether or not we ignore or even notice them. Talking about the problem isn’t the tragedy, but pretending it isn’t happening might be. So maybe we need a little shaking up. Maybe we need an exaggerated example of reality to wake us from our slumber of complacency and make us think.
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. (Romans 2:24)
Even if the words on the front of her shirt were not so blatantly incongruous with her attire, would it be any better? She would still be using her chest as a billboard, giving everyone she meets an open invitation to stare somewhere they shouldn’t. In fact, it’s more than an invitation, because even those who might attempt to avert their eyes from looking at a girl’s chest may find themselves overtaken by curiosity, and look anyway—at least long enough to read the words.
And while we’re contemplating, let us remember that this young lady is claiming to be a Christian by her asserted concern over what Jesus would do. But the problem isn’t whether or not one young lady chose to dress this way, the problem is that it’s the norm in our culture today—a culture that we as Christians are supposed to be transforming for Christ.
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:5)
Sometimes the question is not “What would Jesus do?” but instead “What would Jesus have me do?” or, better yet, “What has Jesus told me to do, in His Word?” I must remember that my body is to be presented as a “living sacrifice” to the Lord. That means I must humbly accept that my body is not my own—it has been bought with a price by a loving and Holy Savior. Therefore, I have a responsibility to dress modestly, to present myself in a chaste manner, and to make sure that every reference I make to Christ, whether verbal or visual, honestly reflects who He is and is glorifying to His name.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
As Christian women, we are the very ones who are to demonstrate Christian femininity. Instead of strutting around in Jesus-wear that contradicts and blasphemes the nature of a Holy God, we can demonstrate modest and lovely character, explaining (without silk-screening) the power and holiness of an awesome and majestic God.
[Author Comment]
In case my post took you off guard, PLEASE READ THIS.
This article by Stacy McDonald first appeared in Family Reformation magazine.
Be sure to check out Raising Maidens of Virtue: A Study of Feminine Loveliness for Mothers and Daughters by Stacy McDonald, available through Vision Forum for retail or wholesale purchase.
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Is it bad that there were words, or worse because of the entire presentation– I’m not sure.
By the description the shirt was tight, midriff bared, and jeans hung low– and that would be enough to disgrace the name of Jesus. That the words were there is not as bad as that they were on a tight shirt.
I don’t know that I’m to the point that I would bar all text, but definitely text that is there for the express purpose of drawing someone is as wrong. That’s why I won’t tolerate any girl I’m associated with to have words across their bottom.
It’s a good article– it definitely made me think.
If I may, I would like to share a story of my own. I don’t think I shared this with you before.
Before I was a Christian, my typical attire for a summer day was a pair of daisy dukes (extremely short shorts) and a bikini top. Of course, I knew what I was doing when I wore that.
Then I became a Christian and became aware of the Scriptures that said that I needed to dress modestly. And so I did.
My shorts got a bit longer and I wore tank tops or halter tops and other lower cut shirts than I would wear today.
Praise God, I was finally dressing modestly, I thought to myself. I am being precious in the sight of God and doing His good work as a modest Christian girl.
Then one day, my youth pastor, his daughters, and his wife schemed something. They were getting ready to go to the store and invited me to go with them. They knew that I would accept…I went everywhere with them.
We went to the store and everyone was looking at the long dresses. The girls were holding the dresses up to me and asking what I thought.
I told them that I thought it looked like a bag and it would hide my whole body.
Then my youth pastor exclaimed, “Ah ha! That’s the point!”
We bought a dress that day and they sat down with me later and explained how my clothing was a temptation to the men at church and to my pastor and youth pastor.
But I had no idea! What I had been wearing was so very much more modest than what I was used to. I thought I was glorifying God in my dress when I was really distracting men during worship.
I praise God for this experience and this story. It reminds me that sometimes when I see a Christian girl poorly dressed, that it does not necessarily mean she is knowingly dressing immodestly. She may be just like me…assuming she is doing good.
She may need our love and our correction, done lovingly, at the right time. And in no way should she be shunned or cast off as some whore.
What would have happened if Jesus went to hang out with the prostitutes and tax collectors to share the love of God with them, but then noticing the clothing of the prostitutes decided to quickly turn the other way and wait until they put on a more modest shirt? Wasn’t He called to minister to the sick —the poorly dressed?
What if my youth pastor and his wife shunned me because I dressed as I did? I might never have learned to dress more modestly. I would never have learned what I did about God and His word if they hadn’t been willing to touch the heart of a really filthy, sexually immoral, immodest girl.
Hi Crystal,
Thank you so much for sharing your story! It sounds similar to mine, except it took me a long time to learn what you learned in an afternoon. My “learning experience” was a little more embarrassing.
After I became a Christian I didn’t really change my dress at all for a long time. I wore shorts, leggings, mini skirts, low cut tops, etc. One day, a dear friend who was my mentor at the time, invited me to the beach with her and her family. I spent the entire weekend with them dressed in a bikini with a button down shirt thrown over the top of it (unbuttoned). Finally, on the last day, in frustration, my friend rebuked me about my bathing suit. She had teenaged sons and I guess it finally just got to be too much.
The thing is, I was shocked. I had no idea that what I was wearing was immodest. I certainly knew that what I was wearing “could” cause men to lust, but I didn’t figure it affected Christian men that way. I was very naïve and immature and had not been taught – and nobody ever said anything to me – until that day.
I was mortified. I went back to the beach cabin and cried. I was so embarrassed. All I could think about was how I had pranced around in front of everyone like the King in “The Emperors Has No Clothes” and nobody had the guts to tell me I was naked. My friend had been afraid to confront me until she got so frustrated that she blurted it out in a not-so-gentle way – after I had already made a spectacle of myself.
My friend was a wonderful, gentle, and sweet woman who loved me and didn’t want to hurt my feelings, but, I would much rather be confronted with sin in the beginning, before I’ve continued in it, embarrassed myself, and possibly brought the consequences of that sin upon my life.
You are right, we should always confront in love and gentleness – remembering our own weaknesses and sins. I hope my story didn’t communicate otherwise. When I have had to confront a sister in the area of modest dress, it has always been done with much trepidation, prayer, gentleness, and love. Never, never should we turn our back on someone because of the way they are dressed – that is the antithesis of Christian love – loving the unlovely. But, we do need to have the guts to teach the new Christian, rather than leaving her in her filth. Praise God my friend loved me enough to allow me around her family in my “rough around the edge” state and finally did say something to me – albeit a little late. ? She lived out the gospel before me and I thank God for her and her family.
Part of the problem in our Christian “pop” culture right now is that sometimes the leadership doesn’t seem to know any better. I went to a church in my younger days where my discipleship leader wore a bikini! Also, sometimes those wearing Christian t-shirts aren’t Christians at all – and the t-shirts are actually a bit blasphemous. It was only a few years back when Madonna and her Hollywood crowd were donning “Jesus is my Homeboy” t-shirts because it was cool.
My story was meant to challenge our thinking. It wasn’t mean to be a lesson on how to confront strangers of immodesty (or avoid them). ?
Stacy,
Thank you for the story. It does sound similar to mine. :-)
I didn’t think you were suggesting that we not associate with Christian girls who are immodestly dressed in your article.
But I do know that there is a tendency for us, modest homeschooling, Christian women, to shun, not talk to, not become friends with, or care about “those girls” who come to church.
Of course we would never dare say that we would treat them this way. It wouldn’t be Godly. But then we proceed to do it anyway.
Maybe we are afraid that they will hurt our husbands or our sons. I don’t know. But as our churches grow, and by God’s grace, these girls come into the church, we need to be ready to love and teach and accept them.
I know from my own experiences that it is very difficult to become friends with submissive, homeschooling, modestly dressed, Christian women. Because, sad to say, we are extremely judgemental women and have a very high standard as to who we will associate with. And then we say that it is okay to have those high standards, and reject the women who needs us because we say we are looking out for our sons and our husbands. We make shunning this girls a mark of a Godly deed that we are proud of.
I just don’t buy that. I think we are afraid and we are proud.
Anyway, I point this out here on your blog, Stacy, not because I thought you had said anything wrong. I totally understand your feelings and have been there too. It can be exhausting at times. But I say it to remind women, women like me, to remember that these girls, who are saved, are loved by God and precious in His sight. And they need women who are wiser in the Word to come along side of them, teaching them, loving them, and helping them and not rejecting them. And that will take bringing them into our homes and making them like members of our families. Which they are, if they are in Christ.
Anyway, thanks for letting me say my bit on your blog, Stacy. I’m amazed at how much you can write and with great quality too.
I agree with much of what you said, Crystal. I think the reason many women tend to avoid these girls as you describe has more to do with their fear of confrontation than their purposeful avoidance of the girl involved. They may realize that if they are to bring them into their home, they’re going to have to get involved in their lives – and that will most probably involve dealing with sin in their lives. And if we have children, it can be even more delicate – we may have situations that will need attention immediately, and we don’t like all that work.
Sometimes, we’re truly afraid of hurting someone’s feelings; yet, we wind up hurting them even worse by “subconsciously” avoiding them or even getting frustrated, like my friend did with me.
It’s kind of like an entire dinner party that doesn’t tell the poor woman walking around that she has toilet paper stuck to her shoe. She winds up being embarrassed further because once she realizes she has toilet paper stuck to her shoe, she also knows that everyone in the room saw it and didn’t say anything.
I also don’t think the answer is to bring them into our homes to mingle with our teenaged sons. I guess it really depends on what we’re talking about. Are her clothes inappropriate for a Christian or are they downright obscene? If they’re obscene, we have a responsibility to our families as well.
We have to use wisdom in ministering to new Christians. If we have sons, we can’t allow a young Christian girl to display herself in our homes right in front of our sons without sharing the truth with her. That could be as problematic for her as it would be to our sons. We should certainly find ways to teach her without fearing that we are being judgmental (that word is thrown around a lot these days) as long as we are speaking the truth in love and using wisdom in the way we handle it.
Looking back, I believe my friend should have said something about my bathing suit as soon as she saw me. Better yet, she could have anticipated an issue when she invited me to the beach (she knew how I dressed) and had a private talk with me ahead of time. I would have welcomed the teaching and it would have saved me the shame – although I certainly learned from it. It also could have saved her sons and her husband a distracting weekend where a young girl seemed to be flaunting herself (though I wasn’t purposely doing that).
The answer isn’t to ignore either the sin or the sinner. That’s my point. We should confront and communicate the truth in love to new believers, rather than ignore them (or their problems). We should communicate our love and sisterhood to her, without compromising her growth (or those around her). Both mistakes can be equally devastating to their Christian walk. I know it was in mine – in ways I won’t go into.
It’s similar to the way we raise our children. When we confront sin in our children, it doesn’t mean we don’t love them or that we’re judging them as though we have no sin. And we certainly don’t avoid them – but, we also don’t allow them to continue in their sinful behavior – especially if they don’t even know they’re sinning. Obviously, we don’t have the same authority over these young women as we do our own children, but, we still have a responsibility as older Titus 2 women to teach them to be chaste.
So, after all that rambling, I guess we can agree that we shouldn’t avoid, ignore, or shun new or immature Christians and we shouldn’t avoid, fear, or ignore the confrontation of sin in the lives of new or immature Christians. What thinkest thou?
I went through the same type of thing. I remember wanting so much to please God. I was willing to do anything for Him, but at the same time in my life I was wearing my pants as tight as I could, and tried to look as cute as I could. It was so normal to want guys to think you were good looking. It was at least a couple yrs before the Lord showed me about modesty. It was a one day change too. The Lord spoke to my heart so clear that literally the next day I had nothing to wear! Nothing I had was modest.
Now I have a problem instead of it just being strangers in the store it’s some of my grown daughters that wear low shirts. It’s hard for me to know how to deal with this, because the younger children do get influenced by them. I pray desperately that they will truly meet God and want to please Him.
Joyce: mom of 11
Joyce,
I have the same problem with my 19 year old. It saddens me so. And you are certainly right in saying that the younger children are greatly influenced by them. I admit to being very discouraged at times, especially when I hear and read wonderful testamonies where the elder children are setting a wonderfully Godly example for their younger siblings. Lately, I have found solace in prayer. I will continue to teach the children by my own Godly example in dress and pray that my oldest dauther will hopefully soon see the error of her ways.
Blessings,
Laura D.
Stacy,
I enjoyed this article very much when it first appeared in your magazine, and was pleased to re-read it on your blog.
My oldest daughter & I are currently working through your Maidens of Virtue study, and will add this article to our reading today.
We just had a discussion a few days ago, about “why” we don’t allow her to wear anything with writing stretched across her backside. (I’m sure you’ve seen the sweatpants and shorts that say things like “cutie” on the back.)
Thank you for reminding us all through your article, to not be so quick to judge and shun those who don’t dress *exactly* like us.
Keep up the great work.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Denise Opper
Stacy,
What you said makes sense.
This is only somewhat related, but I do think it is related. Perhaps it could be inspiration for a new blog post or article.
First, I will say that, as you know, I have one daughter and she is 9, so I do not claim to have wisdom on the following subject. But I am asking and reporting what I have seen…
It seems that a lot Christian raised children, where there has been an emphasis on modesty and appropriate behavior with those of the opposite sex end up growing up with sexual problems.
These girls (at least some that I have seen) grow and think that their bodies are shameful, that sex is shameful, and anything sexual is shameful.
I quote a wonderful preacher, Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church, who says something like…”the church teaches that sex is nasty, vile, and evil so save it for the one you love.”
I wonder if we are doing something wrong in the way we raise our daughters that they get the wrong ideas into their heads.
Now, I am NOT saying I want my daughter to dress immodestly or act inappropriately with boys or men. But I do think that there *must* be something wrong if the message the girls are getting is that sex is evil.
Boys are taught…”don’t look at that girl with the immodest clothing, she is a tramp.” Girls are taught…”don’t dress like that girl with the immodest clothing, she is a tramp.
But then somehow this ends up in the marriage bed. Your wife, if she dresses that way in the bedroom is a tramp. Or if I dress that way in the bedroom, I am a tramp.
Anyway, I ask because I am beginning to explore how I should teach my daughter. She wears modest clothing. We have rules concerning how she should interact with boys. But we also talk about sex as a wonderful beautiful thing to do within marriage.
See, I have seen so many people lose their children over the issue of dress and sex that it makes me a little nervous to go with what I would call the typical teaching of the conservative Christians.
I once talked with a woman who was so convinced that sex was dirty and her body was dirty, her husband could only have sex with her with the lights off, in her flowery long night gown, with a head covering on.
When I tried to explain that her body was supposed to be covered for everyone else, but made naked and beautiful for him, she wouldn’t listen. Because she had been taught that that kind of behavior, in the bedroom with your spouse, was immodest. What man wants to be married to a tramp?
That is a bit extreme. But I think it conveys what many “conservative” Christian women think subconsiously about sex specifically because of what we have been taught about appropriate behavior and modesty.
Anyway, my daughter is reaching the age of puberty and has already begun asking questions about womanhood, men, marriage, and sex. I am not afraid to talk to her about these things. But I am not exactly sure how to go about addressing the issues. How do I convey to her to dress modestly, act like a lady, be appropriately behaved with men whom you are not married to and still teach her that her body can be beautiful, sexy and naked in bed with her husband?
I don’t think the subject of sex should be taught separately from modesty. And I don’t think I should wait until my daughter is 20 and engaged to bring it up. I think it is closely tied to the issue of dress. But I really don’t know what it should look like.
Well thanks, Stacy.
Dear Stacy,
Your post comes at a timely time… my 12 yr old precious daughter has been invited to a girl’s youth pool party….. my husband and I have talked about it and we are very concerned… as to what will be held up as modesty at this party… your post has given me the courage to call the leader and ask her for what she plans to do to ensure that the girls will be modest and what is “modest” to her…. if the standards can not be held up ( 1 piece and modest ) then I can not in good faith send my daughter. You have given me the courage to stand up and challenge… I have been afraid to say something because I am afraid of being attacked. Thank you for giving me the courage to share in a loving way.
Bless you!
gloria
Hi Crystal,
Good questions. I don’t have a whole lot of time today as I’m preparing for the AL conference, but I do want to address your concerns. I think you’re right, you’ve inspired me for a new blog post when I return. :-)
I will say that I don’t think your fears are founded. I don’t think that when we teach our daughters about modesty and decorum that we are communicating to them that sex is dirty. I think it’s quite the opposite. Perhaps it depends upon our attitude toward it.
I will say that at nine years old, you should teach her about modesty, but you should limit what you tell her about sex. Don’t fall into the (damaging) public school trap that teaches parents children need a bunch of graphic information dumped in their lap.
More later…
Excellent Article, I appreciate your thoughts.
-Christa Taylor
http://www.christa-taylor.com
Brings back memories of times for me before Christ and earlier days in Christ…thoughts that have to be handled properly with the mind of Christ to not be taken under by the condemning accusations of the adversary and also to reject self-elevation when remembering that “there but for the grace of God go I” thinking should be of humility rather than pride. Should our words rather focus on the transformed heart and life being conformed to the image of Christ and be yielded to encourage one another professing Christ with fruit of the Spirit…and should our eyes ultimately be on Jesus and pointing others to Him rather than the focus of the world’s eyes?
The passed-on story and verses shared are convicting ~ very. When thinking on Titus 2:5, it is found perfectly nestled between valuable teaching of Titus 1 and 3 ~ nestled within chapter 2 following Titus 2:3 where the word “likewise” reflects verse 1 & 2 concerning “being” and walking in and after the Holy Spirit and His leading(points are fruit of the Spirit, yes?). Many a young lady and her mother…if genuine believers…may not have come to the practice place of others in the faith concerning outward apparel(but possibly has had illumination unto understanding and walking after Christ’s other teachings that are yet to be ours). We, in Christ, have hope and trust in the One that will do it. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Phl/1/6.html
I’m grateful for the gentle reminder, Stacy, that we are His workmanship. In being so, He orchestrates everything in this earthsuit life and beyond…in His perfect timing and way and for His glory alone. Without Him, where would each individual be in position and any practice? God is good.
Wow. You certainly did a lot of assuming with that young lady. Since you didn’t speak to her, I don’t feel that you have any right to judge her. If you answered her shirt, “what would Jesus do” in this particular situation, I don’t think he would write a long post about her without even knowing her. I think He would have talked to her and shown her love. As far as the rest of the story with a boy who was reading her shirt slowly, you made all of that up, that didn’t even happen, so how can you use that for an example?
I don’t have a daughter and if I did I would not allow her to wear a shirt like that. But as a Christian, I think by being kind to her would be a far better choice than to quickly judge her. Maybe it is good that you didn’t talk with her, perhaps she was a brand new Christian and you might have turned her away from the Lord. I think as Christian’s we need to be very careful, very careful with our thoughts and we are not to judge. I have taught my boys to simply to use self control and look away when girls are dressed inappropriate. I myself dress modestly, but fashionably. Those are the two ways I control it.
~ Sharon
“I don’t feel that you have any right to judge her… “
Hi Sharon,
Welcome to my blog. Unfortunately, I think you’ve misinterpreted the article. The goal wasn’t to “judge” this young lady (judging other Christians is another topic all together), but to challenge our thinking. What is worse? To discuss immodesty or to practice it? How are we to learn that what we’re doing is erroneous if nobody talks about it? My goal is to get Christians to think. Don’t just go with the flow of pop-Christianity: “Jesus loves everyone, therefore we should ignore sin and just preach love.”
Nobody wants to talk about immodesty for fear of offending – and in the process public decency erodes and new Christians aren’t taught how to glorify God with their bodies. Shame on us!
I would suggest that you read this post:
http://yoursacredcalling.blogspot.com/2007/06/clarification-on-walking-billboards.html
And all the comments attached to both posts. Here’s a quote:
“You see, the point wasn’t to critique one girl and the way she dresses. The point wasn’t to tsk tsk over the sin (or naivety) of some oblivious girl and her mother. The point was to challenge our thinking. Our thinking – the church. That was it.
It was not disturbing that one girl who visibly claimed Christ dressed that way. The point was that MANY, MANY girls (and women, men, and boys) who claim Christ dress and behave in a way that is inconsistent with their testimony.”
Crystal, I realize my post is probably too late for you to read, but I’ll say this anyway. I understand the need to be modest, but there’s absolutely no need for you to wear a bag on your body. That is NOT the point of being modest. I think your youth pastor grossly overreacted and I also think his presence there was inappropriate to begin with; this should have been a lady’s trip, with a company of ladies only, as it was a personal and female topic. For an older man to give a young lady a lecture on such a personal thing is not appropriate, especially as there were women there who could have done it themselves! I think his actions were inappropriate and I have to say I neither agree with nor approve of them.
His actions sound to me almost as rude as Stacy’s female friend’s. I’m sure she was a sweet lady and I mean no offense, but for her to let Stacy do something that caused the boys to rudely gawk at her, let this go on for days and THEN snap at Stacy and humiliate her as though it was all her fault, was just plain bad judgement. If an older woman did that to me, I don’t think I ever would have been able to trust her again. If anything, I think the only good thing that came out of that horrible experience was that Stacy learned how NOT to address young ladies when she, in turn, became a mentor. I’ve read parts of her book, “Maidens of Virtue”, and while she is firm, her tone is definitely loving towards young women.
Crystal, you've raised an amazingly good point, esp. about the "tramp" comments. I think you forgot to mention early Christians, half of whom were poor, homeless, without clothes. Summer was too hot in some climates to wear any clothes, if even rich enough to have any. Were they being "tramps" & didn't know it? To me Christ's teaching not to look lustfully at anyone was being obeyed, just with the resources they had, not with the resources they didn't have.
Perhaps that in & of itself could inspire a new blog post. It's about time someone brought up the challenge you brought up. Thank you, Crystal, that you have done so. Kudos to your post!