29/12/2025
I insisted my daughters would not wear trousers.
Not really because trousers were evil, but because of the doctrine of the church we attended. That doctrine ruled our lives like law.
In our house, no trousers, no shorts, not even boxers. If my daughters dared to wear anything close to nikka, I would scream, “Tie wrapper immediately! Do you want to bring curse into this house?!”
It was my pride. It was our standard.
It got to the point that if my children were applying for a job or volunteering in anything, the first question my husband and I always ask is,
"Hope wearing trouser is not a must in that place?"
So, when my first daughter got a job in a corporate company where trousers were part of the dress code, we stood our ground.
“Decline it,” I told her firmly.
Her father supported me. “God will provide a better one.”
But she begged.
“Mummy, trousers don’t always mean indecent. You can wear one that is free, that covers you properly. People wear skirts shorter than trousers, and they expose their thighs. Is that better than a trouser that covers me fully?”
I didn’t bulge. “No. The Bible condemns women wearing men’s clothing. And our doctrine says no. If we bend once, we will look like hypocrites in the eyes of the church.”
And that was how my daughter lost the job.
Now, my second daughter, Chikaodiri, was not like her elder sister. She was sharp, stubborn, and knew how to outsmart me.
Every morning, she would leave the house in a skirt. But inside her handbag was a neatly folded trouser. She would stop at her friend’s house, change into her trousers, and head to work.
I didn’t know.
While I was on the pulpit preaching, “Women wearing trousers are heading to hellfire!” my daughter was already sitting in her office, confidently dressed in trousers.
But life has a way of exposing secrets.
One Saturday, I visited her friend’s house. I had seen her friend wearing trousers before and, in my zeal, I went to “correct” her.
Moreover, When I walked in and saw that their mother was present, I was gladdened.
At least I will also advise her to put eyes on her daughter before the dÂŁvil sn@tches her away from faith.
“My sister,” I began, Bible in hand, “this thing you are doing is wrong. Our doctrine is clear—no trousers for women. You are painting the church black. Do you want to go to hell over clothes?”
The woman smiled politely. Her children sat quietly. I didn’t understand why their eyes kept darting to the inner room.
Then, suddenly, the door creaked open. Out walked my own daughter, Chikaodiri—wearing trousers.
My heart froze.
The room went silent for two seconds before everyone except me and Chikaodiri burst into laughter.
I stood, trembling, ashamed. She stood rooted, eyes wide in guilt.
That day, when she returned home, there was no need for pretense. She didn’t bother changing. She walked straight into the house in her trousers.
I broke down in tears.
“God, I serve You faithfully. Why would You give me a child who will disgrace me? Am I not trying to uphold holiness?”
Her father was disappointed too, though he said little. The silence in the house that night was heavy.
But while I cried, a thought dropped in my spirit:
“What are you teaching—My word or your doctrine?”
It shook me. I opened my Bible again. I remembered the verse we always quoted—Deuteronomy 22:5: “A woman shall not wear that which pertains unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment.”
But then I asked myself, in Bible days, what did men wear?
Robes. Long flowing garments. The same thing women wore. There were no trousers then.
So what exactly did that scripture mean? It meant that men should not disguise themselves as women, and women should not disguise themselves as men. It was about identity, not about trousers.
And beyond that, the New Testament was clear, modesty is the focus.
1 Timothy 2:9 says, “Women should dress modestly, with decency and propriety.”
The issue is not trousers versus skirt. The issue is modesty, decency, and representing Christ.
I wept harder that night, not out of ang£r at my daughter, but out of regret. I had preached hellfire to people, made my first daughter lose a job, and turned my home into a prison—all because of doctrine.
The next morning, I called Chikaodiri.
“My daughter, I’m sorry,” I said softly. “From today, no need to hide. If you must wear trousers, wear them. But wear them with modesty. Let your dressing represent Christ, not the world.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “Mummy… are you serious?”
I nodded, tears in my eyes. “Yes. People should see Jesus in your lifestyle, in your humility, in your kindness. Not just in what you wear.”
She hugged me tightly. For the first time, I felt peace.
When my first daughter heard the news, she smiled sadly. “Mummy, I wish we knew this earlier. Maybe I wouldn’t have lost that job.”
Her words pierced me, but I encouraged her, “God will restore. And He did. Months later, she got another good job.”
That incident changed our family forever.
I realized that many families remain poor, bound, and stagnant because of doctrines that cage instead of Christ that frees. We focus on “don’t wear this, don’t eat that,” and forget to point people to Jesus.
My home learned a new rule that day:
Whatever you wear, wear Christ first. Let your dressing be modest, decent, and a true reflection of the God you represent.
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✨ Moral:
Doctrine without love produces bo***ge. True holiness is not about trousers or skirts, but about modesty, decency, and representing Christ in all you do. Don’t let ignorance close doors of opportunity for your children. Raise them to know God for themselves, not just the rules of men.
Don't forget we're still treating on family series, ensure you follow me for more. A lot still needs to be uncovered.
PS: This post is not to f!ght against any church or their doctrine, or to encourage anyone to dress inappropriately, but, it is to enlighten people, and draw their attention to what is really the main focus. And the main focus is Jesus.
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© Favour Christian ✍️
