thoughts on womanhood

[chestnutcurls]

Everyone needs to read Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss. It has made me want to be a more Godly woman. Well, that's something I always want, but this really drove it home.

I think it's harder to be a Godly woman than it used to be. In many ways, our society encourages us to act like men. Humble service (namely to a husband and children) has now become something to avoid, a sign of weakness. I'm very glad that we live in a time where we have the option of a career, and independence, and equality. But we have overlooked the fact that men and women are equal, but different. It's great to work and to use the gifts that God gave you; the Proverbs 31 woman was a businesswoman and seamstress, and about a million other things. :) But this passage by Prentiss really struck me:

"The best convent for a woman is the seclusion of her own home. There she may find her vocation and fight her battles, and there she may learn the reality and earnestness of life."

I'm not saying that women who aren't married and/or are childless are less womanly than someone who does have these things. (I am one of those women now, and I may always be.) But I think God "built" us to want those things, because that is what He uses most to sanctify us.

I don't know what my point is. I've just been thinking about this a lot lately, and I wanted to share. Sorry if I didn't make any sense. :)

Comments

[tingilya.livejournal.com]

Yep, I agree completely. Well said.

Have you read "Let Me Be A Woman" or "By Design"? They're both great.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

No, but I have eyed them on the book table more than once. :)

I'm a little leery of Elisabeth Elliot, though. I read Passion and Purity about 5 years ago, and it totally depressed me. Maybe I'd feel different about it if I read it again.

[tingilya.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I'd recommend "By Design" by Susan Hunt first. It's very clear and factual.

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

Really, that depressed you? I've heard such great things about it (from a guy), I bought it but have only read the beginning part. I keep putting it down and not finishing.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure now what bothered me most about it. Lady in Waiting affected me the same way- I'm not sure if you've read that or not.

For one thing- the concept of "God will give you a husband as soon as you stop thinking about having one," or even worse, "God will give you a husband as soon as you're good enough to have one." One of the best lines from the hymn "Come Ye Sinners" is, If you tarry till you're better, you will never come at all. I think this applies to finding a mate as well. You can't "earn" anything from God- salvation, or a husband, or a good day. All these things are undeserved blessings, and we are all going to be sinners until we die. Therefore, I don't think God sits on His throne going, "Well, she just hasn't earned her husband yet."

And also, God gives us the desire for a mate. I love to think about the fact that God isn't alone, because of the Trinity. If even God needs companionship, who am I to say I don't need it? :) Now, I often get depressed and think that I will never get married. But, as Kathy and I say, you can't trick God. :) God is not fooled when you say, "Okay, I don't want a husband!" thinking that He might give you one then. He knows you still want it. He put that desire there Himself.

I have more thoughts on that, but this is already long enough. I'm not sure that these issues were even presented in Passion and Purity, but I remember they were from the other book. Again, sorry if I'm not making sense. :)

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

That makes total sense. And I get sick of hearing that too..the whole "Stop looking, and focus on yourself and then God will deliver you a husband" concept. We will NEVER be all up to par for things, there's continuous growth, especially after marriage. And you're totally right, God doesn't give us something because we worked hard to attain it.. he just gives it to us anyway, when He feels it's right.

[contradictions.livejournal.com]

Wow. You don't find many women out there that are like that. Like, on game shows, when the host asks what someone does, and she's like "Um, I'm a stay-at-home-mom" like it's a bad thing. Actually, usually, when they say that, they're proud of it, but you do see some of the others, as well.

You know what other book you need to read? Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity, which is volume 2 in Charles Swindoli's Great Lives from God's Word series. My dad let me borrow it, and I'm working on getting through it...quite a good book.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks! I'll look for that. I love to read about women of the Bible. I think Esther, and Deborah, and Hannah were awesome. :)

Re:

[contradictions.livejournal.com]

Cool...the publisher (in case you need that info) is Word Publishing. Hope ya find it! :o)

[churchrat.livejournal.com]

I couldn't quite find a book description, so I'll just ask: Becoming a Godly woman is not on my list of things to do. Will I still enjoy this book? :)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

LOL...