Good afternoon dear ones! I was thinking about how many different roads we can take in life. If you are a young woman or girl, the thoughts can be overwhelming. So many choices! Which one is the right one for me? I believe there are often roads that can be chosen that may be out of the norm for society today BUT....would ultimately create the best lives for us.
One such life choice is discussed in the excerpt below from a wonderful book, Queen of the Home, which was compiled and edited by Jennifer M. McBride. There is a lot of wisdom shared in this book from a wide array of authors. I hope you enjoy this chapter below titled, "In Defense of Noble Womanhood" by Rebecca Belcher Morecraft:
For generations our culture has chosen to believe the lie that women and men should be considered "equal" in every way. We can date this fabrication back at least to the Woman's Suffragette Movement of the early 1900's, if not all the way back to Eve who chose to believe Satan rather than God. The separate roles God created in the beginning for each sex have largely been forgotten in modern times and substituted with a false idea of equality that in no way resembles God's original plan when He created woman from the rib of man and arranged for future humans to spring from the womb of woman, thus establishing a healthy "co-dependency" for the continuance of life.
Those who adhere to the world's ideas about womanhood point an accusing finger at stay-at-home woman who more than 1.5 children and no outside job. They believe the "old fashioned" wife and mother is "stuck" at home. Surely she must be discontented and ashamed of her plight in life. Their view from the wrong end of the telescope without the filtering lens of the Scriptures and read with unregenerate eyes, seems forlorn indeed. Apparently, her husband, though hardworking, is unsympathetic to her needs. He is often gone eight hours or more a day and only comes home to eat, sleep and father more children, it would seem. Her children obviously suck her dry by constant demands on her time and energy, until, alas, she can no longer fit the image of the successful woman of the times.
Just look at her! Her once slim, shapely figure is now sagging and stippled with broken veins. Her beautiful face, once radiant with the dew of youth, is now lined with care. Her once luxuriant hair has thinned and grayed. She no longer possesses boundless energy--her quick step has slowed to a determined pace. Although she is always combed and clean, her fashion sense seems stuck in a time warp with an emphasis on femininity and modesty. Clearly she is neglected and miserable and has no sense of "self-worth"!
Will she ever be able to break loose from this bondage and run free, prove her "true worth" and usefulness as she dresses in power suits and seductive fashions, becomes head of a corporation and makes men grovel? Only then will she gain respect from the world and perhaps make an appearance on Oprah to tell all about her struggles to the sympathetic thousands who will run to the nearest bookstore to buy her book. So says the world.
Observe true satisfaction! In contrast to the worldly-wise woman who is "ever learning, but never coming to a knowledge of the truth," examine the woman whose heart mind and body belong to Jesus. See the smile that curves the lips of the woman who writes "homemaker" on questionnaires as she watches her children grow into spiritually mature, productive adults who carry eternal values they have learned from her into the future. How blessed is that woman whose home is full of the joyous chaos of many children!
Attest to radiant beauty as you see a life blessed by satisfaction in her noble calling as wife and mother! Full of kindness and grace, such a woman is an adornment to her husband. Place her on a pedestal, young women, rather than those who manipulative whining and self-centered priorities may have coerced the lifestyle they crave to falsely beautify themselves but has brought them no satisfaction. The Christ-centered woman is able to walk with poise amongst the most elegantly attired, though her countenance is more sober than many. The beauty of holiness shines through the window of her eyes from a heart full of gratitude for God's grace and softened by griefs bravely borne. A deep contrition for her own sinfulness, coupled with the joy that flows from sins forgiven, radiates from her and blesses all who know her.
Attend to true wisdom! She holds in light regard all the things but those that possess eternal value. Her perspectives and priorities, shaped by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God, inform and beautify her life's callings. She daily increases her scope of learning because she knows that all the truth, goodness and beauty reflect her Creator/Redeemer. She learns what her gifts are and develops them to the further benefit of her husband, children and the kingdom of Christ. Her choices and goals are not self-directed but Christ-directed as she seeks to do all to the glory of God. His Word informs and directs her behavior, her goals, and her conversation. She is dependable and consistent as she finds her focus each day, not in herself or others, but in Christ and His wisdom.
Mark true strength! She makes her arms strong physically by taking care of herself for the sake of Christ, her husband and children. In all humility, she recognizes that she has no strength in and of herself. Her core of endurance comes from her reliance on God who carries her through the trials of life and empowers her with His strength in her times of weakness. She smiles at the future, not because of her preparation alone, but because she trusts her strong Redeemer, Jehovah Jireh, to continue to supply her needs and those of her family as He ordains from His storehouse of riches in glory.
Learn sincere compassion. She is full of patience and compassion for those still walking in darkness as well as for her little ones who will learn love at her knee. She knows how and when to speak, with plainness and kindness, and can be patiently quiet. Heedless of scorn and disdain from those around her who do not know her Lord, she persists in rightly dividing the Word of Truth so that she will be ready with answers for those who ask, being bold as a lion and gentle as a dove. The law of kindness is always on her tongue. Her thoughtfulness and kindness of speech decorate her with such light and warmth that those who are cast about in a cold and heartless world may safely come to her to be warmed and fed. To be with her is to be nourished.
Stand amazed by her accomplishments! Her husband's love enobles her. She seeks no higher calling that to be his companion and helper. Her children, who rise up and bless her, are of unquestioned righteous character, reflecting her teachings in their lives. Together, she and her husband shot their children into the future, confident that the God who planned their lives before the foundations of the earth was laid, will keep and use them as sharp arrows to pierce the hearts of His enemies and bring great increase to His Kingdom on earth.
The attractions of this world and those who devote their lives to obtaining them will pass off the scene and be replaced with the next generation's empty schemes, but the woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Her works will follow her, not her credit, nor would she have it so, but to the praise of His glorious grace Who holds her heart captive and makes her life count.
This is the woman after God's own heart. Although as sinners we will never attain to the perfections of God's goals for us as women, we can know the contentment and deep joy that comes from His grace abounding as we lay down our lives every day for those God has placed around us to serve. May we do all that God has called and gifted us to do for His glory alone.
Learn the ways of the godly woman described in Proverbs 31 by King Lemuel's mother and imitate her; for only then will you experience the nobility which God intended for you since long before you were created.
