on being a woman

some definitive passages: Genesis 2:20, Proverbs 31, 1 Corinthians 14:34-36, Eph. 5:22-24, Col 3:18, 1 Timothy 3:11, Titus 2:3-5, 1 Peter 3:1-6

Scripture talks a lot about a woman’s spirit.

a spirit of strength – the proverbs 31 woman was dang strong. “Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future” (v. 25) her arms were strong (v. 17), her resolve was strong (vv. 15, 18, 27), her mind was strong (vv. 14, 16, 26).

a spirit of gentleness (1 Pet. 3:4)) – the proverbs 31 woman was gentle and kind: “She does him (her husband) good and not evil…” (v. 12), “She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.” (v. 20), “She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” (v. 26)

a spirit of quietness (?) (1 Pet. 3:4) – the proverbs 31 woman was characterized mostly for her actions. you don’t see her running around nagging at her children, nagging at her husband, gossiping, putting on airs in the neighborhood, etc. etc. she was too busy working with her hands (vv. 13, 17, 18,20, 21, 22, 24), when she does speak wisdom flows out, and the teaching of kindness is what they hear (v. 26).

a spirit of submission – the proverbs 31 woman was not out to promote herself. in the eyes of the town, neighbors whoever. who was praised for her work? her husband. “Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.” (v. 23) Her first ID was “wife” (v. 10)
Those nearest her saw her work and praised her (v. 28-29), but she worked not for her glory, but in fear of the Lord. (v. 30)

Submission.
These past few months have been months of learning submission. Ultimately it comes down to dying to self and living to Christ. Every day is a fight to submit to my parents; not just to do what they tell me to do, but to obey them as unto the Lord – with a cheerful heart, to show every consideration for them for I also once was foolish myself, to have a humble attitude toward them, to speak to them with love and grace.
The Lord has been purging from me – pride, selfishness, meanness, quickness to speak, etc. etc. etc. all the things opposite of a godly woman. He’s been stripping me of any self-conceived notions of godliness as if to say “look. look at all this junk that’s in your heart. I may have been sanctifying you, and you may have been getting to know me better… but child. I’ve only just begun”
Coming home… all the dregs in my heart have surfaced to the top like oil on top of water, and slowly it’s getting cleaned out.
It’s been slow, but an oil-spill doesn’t get cleaned up overnight. (except it wasn’t a spill, it’s been there all the time, i just didn’t see it)

All the more He’s been teaching me what it means to be a woman pleasing to Him. A woman’s responsibility and role is to be a helper. Regardless of her marital status. Women like Amy Carmichael are not the norm.
We weren’t created to lead, but to assist our brothers in ministry. (Genesis 2:20) This doesn’t just apply in the home. This position does not switch on when we say “I do.”

I urge you, sisters. How are we practicing submission?
Submission flows from a humble heart.
How are we dying to ourselves?
Are we willing to do the dishes, when it’s the 10 millionth time we’re doing it, without a grumbling heart, but with joy?
Are we quick to seek forgiveness from the one we’ve offended, or do we justify our actions with reason?
Are we quick to correct, or are we quick to cover transgression with love?
Do we measure our words full of grace, love, and truth, or are we sharp, rash, and inconsiderate?
Do we get frustrated when we aren’t understood, when our opinions don’t get counted, or do we quiet our hearts, opening our ears to hear our brothers and sisters?
Do we count the ways “he/she” needs to consider me, or do we fill our thoughts as to how to minister to “him/her”?

my heart’s certainly been kicked about… and cut to the core…

these kinds of attitudes, these practices need to start today. Or all those mean thoughts and attitudes will be carried straight into your homes to attack your husbands and antagonize your children. The word of the Lord is dishonored when we disregard the position He has designed us to fill, and when we snub the character He finds precious.