Showing Skin Around Church Folk

My church held a back-to-school swim party for all the children who were--you guessed it--going back to school. When I learned of the party a week before the event date, I recognized one dilemma: how do you swim around church folk? I don’t necessarily feel comfortable being around people at church clothed in what is equivalent to a bra and underwear and, as a woman, I worry about being a stumbling block to my brothers in Christ. I am not implying that I am any sort of “knock out” but you never know what “does it” for some people—I don’t want to cause any plucking out of eyes (Matthew 18:9)!

I have realized recently, though, that if I don’t feel comfortable engaging in a particular activity around those I attend worship services with, I should not ever feel comfortable doing that activity. WE are the church—not the building in which we raise our hands, sing, and listen to sermons. Wherever WE are, so is the church. I cannot wear my two-piece bikini to the public pool and then find some homely one-piece to wear to church-related water activities.

I am now on a quest to find something comfortable, modest, and somewhat fashionable to wear to the pool—any and all pools.

So far I have found several modest options (some more fashionable than others): swim dresses (who knew there were such things?!), one-pieces, and tankinis. There are also many different kinds of shorts/skirts available. I am especially interested in these options for bottoms because I don’t think we should be okay with showing our butt cheeks to people simply because we have a swim suit on (if your dad’s friend saw you in your underwear, would that be okay?).

I think I am going to get a tankini top with some shorts or a skirted bottom.

What do you do? If you’re a guy, what do you feel about this subject?