Pentecostal Fire With a Bit of Spice

Disclaimer: Everything expressed below is my personal experience and opinion. It is not meant to offend anyone or cause controversy but to hopefully inspire and to break stigmas. When I decided to create my platform Lovely Chicas besides wanting to inspire and empower women, I wanted a special space where I could be me and express myself through fashion. Growing up it was difficult, almost impossible to be myself, the reason being I was raised in an extremely legalistic Spanish Pentecostal church from the late 80’s until early 2000s.  Being Pentecostal was even harder for women because everything was considered a sin; we had to wear skirts because pants were considered a way to provoke men sexually. I was that church girl in high school with the skirt. The one who even in below zero winter weather wore skirts. Funny thing, even in my skirts I always made my outfits look fashionable. Makeup and jewelry weren’t permitted as well. The list of things that weren’t allowed was long. Couldn’t go to movies, couldn’t dance, couldn’t wear makeup, couldn’t get your ears pierced, couldn’t get tattoos, couldn’t cut your hair and the list went on and on.  Your salvation was literary based on your exterior appearance and if you didn’t follow the rules you were disciplined. They were extremely controlling, very separatist and believed only they would get saved. Let’s be real, we all face hardships and are battling through difficult situations. We don’t need the stress and suppression of being judged over human made dogmas. This religious culture marginalized women and was extremely sexist, I had to suppress so much and even grew up with an extreme fear of God. When the reality is that God is love. He is righteous, graceful, and merciful. I have come to know the true God who loves me for who I am not what I wear. God calls of to be free not chained to false beliefs that aren’t even biblical. The drama I lived through was horrible- everything was about judgement, criticism and gossiping. I was an innocent pure church girl and the way men who were leaders would try to destroy me was unreal. It was all a game of hypocrisy. There are so many things I could share but I prefer to keep them private. The situations I lived through left traumas in me that only God could heal. Sadly, there are many religions that have similar dogmas and marginalize women. Though, I do believe women should dress modestly because there is a fine line that shouldn’t be crossed. I can only pray these false beliefs and rules are broken as people discover the truth of Gods real love and freedom. So, having been obligated to wear skirts all the time I began to hate them. When I left that religion, I literally threw away my skirts. Now, in 2023 denim skirts reappeared and have become a fashion trend. I must admit I was very self-conscious about incorporating this style into my wardrobe again, but a Christian friend advised me to do it and make it my own. So, I did it and let me tell you it has been liberating. I reclaimed who I was and felt I broke off a lot of baggage from the past. Obviously, I made the look my own with some Pentecostal fire and a little spice.

No matter what I went through and though I disagree with many Pentecostal beliefs I am grateful I was raised in the Christian faith and was led to have a relationship with God. I am fully transformed by Gods love and grace. I no longer hold onto the beliefs nor traumas of the past. I’m so glad I put all that behind me and live with another perspective.  Within the negative there was a lot of good because I made lifetime friends in the church. Our best times were at the youth camps. To this day we still guide and strengthen each other. If you can relate and grew up in a Pentecostal or similar religion, I’d love to hear your perspective and story. Be Lovely, Be You Charlene Gonzalez