remember my first date with Jimmy. My stress-o-meter was sky high. Anxious to make a good first impression, I worked on myself all day. I curled my hair. Remembered eyeliner. Brushed my teeth twice and tucked in my shirt three different times trying to achieve that breezy appearance of the models in my Mom’s JCPenney’s catalogue. 

The whole process was exhausting, but four wardrobe changes and a tube of lip gloss later, I was ready. I had practiced my dainty laugh and my flirtatious glance. I couldn’t wait for Jimmy to knock on the front door.

And all went just as I had planned … smooth sailing, as a matter of fact … until we began the walk to his car. As we cut through my front yard, I turned around to give a casual, jaunty goodbye wave to my family members watching us leave. As I turned back with a clever quip for my date, BAM! I walked headlong into a tree. While not my most graceful moment, I determined to recover. I mustered up the last of my femininity, gave a dainty, albeit shaky, laugh and brushed the bark off of my breezy shirt. I smiled at Jimmy and regrouped the last vestiges of my self-confidence. I took a step toward his outstretched hand and promptly tripped over my shoe, falling into a crumpled heap at his feet. I do believe I made an impression.

As Christians, we should always want to make a good first impression. The way to do this is to live “in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).” When we do, we reflect Christ’s character through our love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Clothed in these virtues, we can’t help but make a good first impression.

Editor's note: Our "Just For Women" columns reflect the perspectives and experiences of the writer.