Female by Design

Priscilla Shirer's challenging Resolution for Women is inspiring, to say the least.  This week's resolution, "Purposefully Feminine", proved especially insightful.  Every other time I've studied God's view of women, it has been in the context of the much beloved woman found in Proverbs 31:  "A wife of noble character, who can find?"  After reading verses 10-31 to myself, I always sarcastically answered "Exactly.  Who CAN find?" 

Priscilla Shirer conspicuously leaves out this citation altogether, and I don't think it's because she doesn't agree with it's implications.  She's a resourceful author and references feminine virtues that point to Jesus rather than another woman.  Maybe she's protecting us from the jealousy we inevitably feel whenever we're compared to that great woman. 

Whenever we're compared to any other woman. 

Erroneously, we believe that we can't measure up.  God's word affirms that our unique gifts make us special, useful, and worthy.  Whether feminine or masculine, our purpose is the same:  to point others to Christ.  How do we do that?  I apologize in advance, but I'll have to use that culturally taboo word:  SUBMISSION.  All it really means is that I'm willing to put you before me.  Your deal before my deal.

The Proverbs 31 Woman shows herself in eleven primary characteristics.  She's

• Virtuous
• Trustworthy
• Energetic
• Physically Fit
• Economical
• Unselfish
• Prepared
• Honorable
• Prudent
• Loving
• God-Fearing

It's egocentric to think that all of those eleven characteristics are exclusively female.  Yet, I find it extremely gratifying that God created us to exemplify them through the outpouring of our character as we interact with our family, co-workers, and friends.  Understanding that he created me for the role I am in now inspires me to embrace  and uphold Biblical femininity purely for the virtue, if not because it's the will of God for my life.

What My Child Taught Me

Every night either Gavin or I give our youngest daughter a bath.  Tonight, it's my turn, and I am watching her dance and twirl as the water runs.  Happy and carefree though she is,  I can hear the nightly news in the background.  The talking head drones on, and I am vaguely aware of what he is saying.  Hurricanes and tornadoes and terrorism and war, and I wonder at what point a child ceases to be such a free spirit and instead is taken hostage by all that is wrong with the world. I thought to myself, Right now, I am all that to her.  Everything she knows about the world is what I have taught her, but most importantly what I have shown her.  By my example, am I demonstrating love and compassion, hope and stability?  Have I prepared her to navigate uncertainty, selfishness, jealousy, greed,  and loss?

To twirl with such abandon, drunk on her own happiness, dizzy with creativity and brimming with sweetness is God's gift to children like her.  And although many of the world's children live in poverty and abuse, and might only wish to dance and sing, little Cari Jill is not one of them.  I have been given an amazing gift, and the gift brings with it an enormous amount of responsibility.  As she grows, so will her circle of influence.  It is my job to make sure that the center of that sphere is as strong as it can be.  That way, when the yuck of the world surrounds her, what centers her will be the foundation of her years as part of our family.  Sure, there will be disappointments.  Even failures.  But my most trusted source of comfort is that Gavin and I don't have to raise our children by ourselves.  Our church partners with us to guide us every step of the way.   This week, they taught her this:

"As for God, his way is perfect."--Psalm 18:30

Is there anything else she needs to remember?