Wearing my Wedding Dress to the Grocery Store

But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
We all fade as a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind,
Have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

Its been am interesting weekend to say the least, but that's fine by me. Dipped my toes in the dating pool again, (I had coffee with someone) but there was no fireworks, not even a spark, although he seemed to be a very nice & sincere man. I wasn't sure what might come next, but this morning I learned it was a moot point anyway. He emailed to tell me he just didn't see kids as a part of his life. Honestly, I think that was a convenient excuse, easier than admitting there was no spark between us, since we got along well, and from the start of our conversations I had made it abundantly clear I had a small child still at home. Oh well, his loss, someone else's gain.
But that was not the direction of this post. Saturday morning I had a dream. It had multiple parts, that, in the light of day seem to have little connection to each other-and in fact they may not be connected at all. I don't dream, or remember my dreams anyway, often, so when I do I take notice, because I believe it is Holy Spirit's way of showing me things I may not be able to see in the busy and distracted day.
In the first part of this dream I was out with another realtor, (not the one I actually work for) to prepare for listing a farm house. I doubt those details matter much, I'm guessing it's just the daily routine, What was unusual was that I was wearing a wedding dress-no veil, but a lovely and simple white gown, definitely a wedding dress though. We did what needed doing in the house, I believe I chatted with the owner a bit, and we made a few stops along the way, once at a drive-in for lunch (not a drive thru, but an actual drive-in with picnic tables and a walk-up counter. It was there, after purchasing my meal, that I commented it was odd no one had noticed, or said anything about my attire. The dress was still pristine, and I felt like I was wearing my favourite jeans, not like I was dressed in something so special.
I woke up perplexed by this. I have no interest in weddings, or marriage right now (and no prospects either!) But as I continued through my morning I recalled what white clothing and wedding attire symbolize - robes of righteousness and being the Bride of Christ. As I thought about it more I wondered if that wasn't the point after all. Should we not be wearing our "robes of righteousness" every day, with utter ease? Ought this not be so normal people around us accept it without comment? In the dream I was working, eating, doing all the things I normally do, having the kinds of conversations I normally have, but remaining unsullied and garbed in clothing more suited to the most special occasions.
The rest of the dream I may tackle later-like all dreams it was long & complex. But suffice it to say, while in the latter parts of this vision I was dressed in regular clothing, as I look back over it and consider the various parts of the dream, I felt confident, beautiful, secure and powerful, as I did wearing that wedding gown. I don't know if men feel this way when they're dressed in special occasion clothes, but there is something about putting on a spectacularly beautiful dress and knowing you look good. It changes how you carry yourself and present yourself.
Over the past couple of days, as I have considered recent events in my life, and as I have mulled over this dream I have come to realize I no longer want to live according to someones else's arbitrary rules for my life. I am slowly emerging from the shadows where I have been hiding and taking hold of who I am. I used to make a habit of metaphorically putting on the "full armour of God"-today I am comfortable in battle gear, I don't need to (often) don it consciously. I think I am going to make a habit now of gaining new comfort in garments suited to a princess bride. (Revelation 21:9, John 1:12)