So I went to bed at 11:30pm last night, today I am wide awake at 5:30am. I have finally made it to the computer. I wasn’t quite sure what to write about so I started looking at some Biblical Womanhood websites. It is so awesome to discover the true design for women and celebrate our purposes and destiny. There can be controversy in this subject for some but when you truly dig into the Bible and have a mentor, one cannot deny the truth. I have drifted from my role these past several weeks and could be the very reason I was having such an emotional and frustrating relationship with Kevin. Thank God almighty I am free at last. Free to love in God’s design.
This revival into Biblical Womanhood is fueled by the fact that my job outside the home is soon to end and I will be able to concentrate more on my home. I need to find a balance in my home keeping and working outside the home. I believe financially I will soon have to consider a part time job. However, until the Lord clearly opens the doors and let’s me walk out the door of my home, I am comfy being a wife, mom and home keeper.
I think it’s odd that I find such joy in staying home because I am by nature very social and like people. I love reception and office administration assignments. However, I truly receive such satisfaction when my home has order, when I fix a lunch for Kev, and even clean a sink. It feels natural. Then just when I celebrate my love of homekeeping, I will hear someone say, “I just couldn’t stay home all day”, “I would get so bored”, and “I like my money too much”. WELL! I don’t know about my other home keeping friends, but I often don’t stay home all day, I am never caught up enough to be bored, and as for money, I tend to save more by being home and we eat better. This being said I must refrain from taking on the attitude that these women are not Biblical. I don’t feel that way. I must appreciate their points of view in the sense of remembering that their lives are theirs to live. No judgment here except that we must beware of hurting each other with our condescending attitudes. I don’t appreciate any inference that I am not living up to my potential. I am trying to live up to God’s potential!
I found a wonderful article that has helped me out and I am posting it here with all the necessary references. It’s no longer that what I just wrote and it may help you too.
I am sorry this blog took on a defensive tone. My goal was to share that I am happy to home and love learning about the roles of Biblical Women. I love my SHE friends (remember Sidetracked Home Executives). Have a great day! I am off to clean the sink! Lol!
Loving the Sisters by Donna Martin
biblicalwomanhood.org
“Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Gal. 5:26)
While reading an article by Nancy Wilson, she commented on an off-handed remark made by the speaker on an audio series that she had been listening to. The speaker said that women are some of the worst misogynists [woman-haters] in the world. After giving the article some thought, I came up with a similar conclusion, however my line of thought was slightly different from hers. Nancy pointed out that the women’s movement itself is fueled by a woman-hating agenda. It certainly has not created unity among unbelieving or believing women, but has rather divided and alienated them.
I can’t make the statement about the “good ole days,” because I’ve only been a born again Christian for 20 years. But I do know that there was once far greater unity between Christian women than there is now. What is it that causes women to be so quick to be critical, envious, and distrustful of one another? I believe part of the answer has to do with a sinful sense of competition among sisters that keeps them from fulfilling their duty to love one another. When sisters are viewed as the competition, no wonder there is a bent toward criticism and envy.
You may wonder which type of competition I am referring to. Women unknowingly compete in their methods. Since women tend to be married more to methods than to principles, they can get defensive about their methods. A private-schooling mom becomes defensive around the women who have their children in a home school. A schedule-feeding mom is critical of those women who demand-feed their babies. Women divide into subgroups in the church: those who use midwives and those who use doctors; those who home school and those who don’t; those who have husbands who make the big bucks and those who don’t; and those who work outside the home and those who are stay-at-home moms.
It wasn’t until I read Nancy’s article and heard a sermon at our church that I’ve been able to put this application together. The Scripture says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12). To put it plainly, our battle is not against our sisters in Christ, our husband, our neighbors, or even our parents - but against the rulers of darkness. These rulers of darkness are causing many of the problems the Christian has, so we should keep in perspective whom the attacks are actually coming from. When a sister in Christ comes to you and says that she believes you are in error about a conviction you have, return her concern with love. If you are the only homeschooler in your church and you receive the brush-off from the Christian school crowd, chase them down with love. If you’ve received disapproval from a sister in Christ after you’ve tried to nurse your baby, haven’t been successful, and put your baby onto a bottle - extend love. You are now enlightened and know that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” and no longer need to function the same way.
3 comments:
Good stuff. I appreciate the article, as I have been the victim of some misassumptions and can't say I've always loved folks in return. I need the reminder.
Like you, I agree that the Bible is clear in it's teaching, but there was a time when I didn't know that. And a time when I couldn't accept it after I did know it. Laboring with one another in love is what we called to do. We aren't to judge (in the sense of condemn) other women, however, as Titus 2 mentors/women, we are to use the plumbline to discern His will and ways and then to help our sisters in that area. As Paul said,:
Phil 3:12-16
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
NKJV
Now I know he wasn't talking about the Titus 2 issue here, but the principle applies. What we know of the Word, we must walk in, and as we mature, we need to bring others along as we have opportunity. That's mentoring at it's finest, and it's something we women are commanded to do for each other in Scripture.
Love you, my friend. Good blog. I needed it today especially. So God used it to help me.
P.S. Sorry about the novel
Thanks Anna for sharing this blog with us. I have felt the same as you and Sonia, and, admittedly, it took me awhile to feel comfortable staying at home, I have grown to love it! And, although I am keeping the neices and nephew, I feel as if I have one of the most important jobs in the world. Keeping kids I love safe, loved,secure and in a godly home where they can learn God's ways. What could be better! Of course I need to be more organized! That's another whole story!! Love you and thanks for your answer too Sonia! You both help me tremendously!
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