For a long time, I have been of the opinion that the institution of marriage as God designed it is under attack. And I'm not just talking about same-sex marriage. I believe the enemy launched this attack against the family long before states began legalizing marriages between two men or two women.
Our culture, and the feminist movement in particular, has fought hard to eliminate the distinction between men and women for a very long time now. The line between manhood and womanhood has been blurred until there is nothing left but confusion and discontentment between husbands and wives. Unrealistic expectations. Disillusionment. Frustration. And, oftentimes, ultimately, divorce.
Why? Because we as women have believed the lies of the enemy. We've bought into the idea that we somehow need to prove ourselves to the world. We have taken the incredible responsibility of keeping our homes and turned it into being "just a homemaker." We've defined our significance as human beings by how we look, how much money we can earn, and how prominent we are in society. Somewhere along the line, we have lost our identity as women. I'm talking about godly womanhood - the beautiful, unique creatures God designed us to be. Yes, every bit as valuable as any man. And yes, drastically different than any man.
My sister gave me a book for my birthday this year. It's called Passionate Housewives Desperate for God, and I'd like to share just a few tidbits from this book with you. It so clearly articulates what I've felt for so long.
"Biblical motherhood means sacrifice, selfless love, and faithful dedication... But never fear! If motherhood proves too taxing, for a competitive price, you can hire expert launderers, specialized teachers, trained cooks, certified daycare workers, and professional organizers for your household. Who needs Mom? We live in the age of the 'professional.' Now the mistress of the house can leave all the pesky homemaking cares to a long list of hirelings while she goes off to work and develops her 'true' skills - skills worthy of her attention...
"The fact that so many Christian women no longer see the depth and breadth of what it means to be a keeper at home is a troubling cultural trend...
"Being a keeper at home is a holy mission; it is a rewarding duty that we as women are to passionately undertake... We have a great and glorious work before us. Keeping the home has been entrusted to us by God... Using our gifts and talents to glorify God in our role as helpers to our husbands, all within the well-choreographed dance of home life, imparts a quiet lesson to a watching world and communicates true contentment in the loveliness of womanhood.
"Often we don't view our daily activities biblically. We wrongly believe that the more mundane the task, the less significant it is to God. As difficult as it may be to believe, the hands that tenderly bathe your baby at night are no less holy than the hands that serve you communion on Sunday. Every small act of love to your family - every diaper you change, every meal you prepare, every toilet you scrub, every errand you run, every fever you tend to, each tooth you pull, every moment of undefiled intimacy with your husband - each one is a holy act when it's done as unto the Lord."
I already love this book (and I'm only on chapter 2!) because it has reaffirmed to me that being a wife and a mother is my calling in life. The authors, Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald, refer to it as a "Sacred Calling." I am challenged and encouraged to remember that I am serving the Lord as I serve my family. I am embracing my calling, and I believe it is an amazing honor that God has bestowed upon me.
I pray that more young women will discover this truth, and that the generations to come will once again find the true joy and beauty that are abundant in godly womanhood.
