Well I must admit this presidential election is definitely historical and exciting. The first black man running for office and the first woman to run on the Republican ticket. The popularity that Sarah Palin has garnered in just two weeks is landmark.
I have to say I have a love/hate relationship with this idea of a woman VP. There is a part of me who is so proud of her a part that wants to cheer her on and maybe even BE her. And for the record I felt the same way about Hillary, despite the fact that I stand on the opposite party line and that I find her to be...slightly abrasive and UN womanly. Why is it that so many feminists portray themselves in such a MASCULINE demeanor anyway?
There is just something in us women that wants to rule; to govern, isn't there? That part of me who wants desperately to be in control of things, unfortunately came honestly to me through my ancient mother- Eve.
God's plan from the beginning was for a wife to be a helpmeet to her husband. When Eve rebelled, God told her that she would yearn to control her husband but that he WOULD rule over her. We've been proving that prophecy right ever since haven't we ladies? Boy I know exactly what that feels like!
Our generation, a culture based on the growing trend of feminism, has created a picture of a woman who is strong. She is a bread winner, she has it all together- work, husband, children and still makes time to be a soccer mom! Men, on the other hand are portrayed as bumbling idiots who are seldom aware of anything that is going on around them. Their main concern is for beer, football and naked women. The wives don't respect them, the kids don't respect them...who does I wonder?
Just flip through your channels and take note of how many sitcoms come up that portray the family in that exact scenario. With the help of the media over the last 30 years the family has begun in fact, to look exactly like it does on sitcoms with one exception...the women are NOT succeeding AND we are ALL in denial about that. They are NOT doing it all. Maybe I should say, yes they're doing it all, but they're not doing it all WELL. And how could they? It's too much to ask of anyone to wear that many hats and to wear them all excellently.
I don't think it is mere coincidence that since women have left the home and become more "independent", the divorce rate has sky rocketed and now we see a trend of families who need to call in experts to show them how to deal with their unruly, out of control children. I have (until recently) thought I was doing a pretty good job in my role as wife and mother. I take care of my house, I help my husband, I am close to my children and endeavor to instill good values in them.
For the past couple of years however I have felt God whispering that I can (and in fact SHOULD) be doing better...and more. It's funny how God works. He tends to be so gentle with his children... First an idea is introduced and you consider the new thought. Then it seems like everywhere you look, the idea is looking you straight in the face- confirming that God is indeed trying to tell you something. As you give yourself over to what the Lord is trying to teach you, you will find that He directs you perfectly to people, knowledge in the form of books, media, etc. that will bring you around to HIS way of thinking. And this is what he has been doing with me- my role as a biblical christian woman.
A couple years ago I really began to get a revelation of Proverbs 31. She is the perfect woman...so holy, so helpful, kind, responsible, selfless....so seemingly UNATTAINABLE! I began to pray for God to help me to be this prototype of the woman he desires for me to be. I'd say I even made progress. But recently I've realized that I'm doing it like a robot. My heart has not been in it. When I began to really examine myself I found that I was a "closet" feminist. I believed in the tradional role of a wife being home, caring for her family, supporting and helping her husband, but SECRETLY....I wanted something else. Accomplishment, fortune, notoriety...something of my own...something with my own name on it, something that was just MINE!
I don't think I'm alone in this mentality. In fact today, it (the mentality) is not only the norm, it is absolutely fair and absolutely politically correct...by our culture's standards. But since when do we, as Christians, have the right to pander to our culture? It sounds ludicrous that it could be possible but I think alot of christians, just like me, have not given in to the whole plan of God. AND LIKE I WAS, THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY IN DENIAL about being in REBELLION to God's plan.
We say that we are born again and yet refuse to obey the laws and standards that God has laid down for us. I think many people have enough knowledge of the bible to know what God expects of them, but they feign ignorance on important biblical teachings so that they do not have to face them or change their lifestyles.
Here's a newsflash...God knows our hearts...We're not fooling HIM!
Women DO have a particular role according to God's plan. To be the biblical wife and mother is the most noble, most high calling. There is no greater occupation IF God knows what He's saying. Her role is so vital to the well-being of her husband and children, her responsibilities in keeping the home so demanding, that it would not be possible to properly fulfill them unless she devotes herself entirely to them. She cannot do what God has called her to do unless she abides at home.
How often I hear women say that they work outside of the home to escape- beit children, spouse, housework, cooking etc. Although I don't think I've ever said it, I'll admit that I have felt it. That mode of thinking however is in direct conflict with Gods word and YES this thinking can rightly be called sinful.
Here's what God says to us women..."Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; ...let each one of you (husbands) so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." (From Ephesians)
Now I know what's going to bother every women who reads this from that scripture but I'll have to address that in another blog seeing as this one is getting so long!
"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:3-5
This passage is chalk FULL of instruction! It is meat! Did you notice how it says that younger women must be trained to LOVE their husbands? Pretty thought provoking...that' another blog in itself...
It does not say to be busy at your employers business...but busy at home- not sitting on the couch watching Oprah or Desperate Housewives at home but BUSY (or productive) at home.
I see alot of women today who are proud to stay at home and care for their families but if they were truthful they would attribute it more to laziness than to holiness. Been there done that...If you are truly managing your home in a way that is pleasing to God, there is little time for leisure. There is soooo much in this passage that I could literally write a book on it!
I encourage you to take it word by word, phrase by phrase and study the point the writer was making in this passage. It is pure Gold!
In half hearted conclusion: I'm a black and white type of girl and once I get something I really GET IT. There is no more gray for me in this area. When scripture is there, plain as day, in black and white, who are we to argue it? To try and explain it away or "modernize" it to make it more palatable is outright rebellion to God. This also leads me to say that I didn't get this whole concept overnight. It was not taught to me as a child so God has been teaching me from the ground up. He's not done yet. But it is a topic that has affected me greatly and I hope that other christian women will begin to embrace the calling that God has placed on their lives.
It's no small thing to be able to grow a life within you. A few years ago we began seeing the phrase..."Anyone can be a father, but it takes a special man to be a dad". To counter that I would like to add that most any woman can bear a child, but it takes a special woman to devote her life to the cause of keeping a godly home. Sacrifice is always noble. It is always honorable. And it ALWAYS hurts. We just see too few people who are willing to do it these days.
I thought this interview was to good not to pass on.
