Saturday, March 20, 2004
Last night was soooooo funny. My sister turned 13 and we decided to have her over. I didn't tell her when to go to bed, what to eat, nothing. I am the cool sister :) Or atleast I think I am. We watched Mona Lisa Smile - VERY good movie. I'd recommend it for any slumber party. Its about a progressive Art History teacher in the 1950's who moved from California to teach at the most conservative women's college in the nation. The mentality of the women at the school was that they were there, learning, until someone proposed and they turned their focus towards making a home. It was unheard of to have a career unless you were single - which meant someone was wrong with you. She pushed and encouraged the students not to limit themselves to one vocation, but to use the intellect they have to make a difference in the world.
This raises some interesting questions about the role of women in our society. We, collectively, are confused. Our role as outlined in the Bible is that of Helpmate, Co-General, Rescuer, and keeper of the home. The traditional role, built into our grand mothers is that of domestic servant, meant to birth, bake, and smile while doing it. Now-a-days women see themselves as successful only if they have a career and a sweeping romance in their life. Everything is about jobs and money. Home makers are seen as demure, mousey, and unmotivated. I think this view came from women earlier in the last century. They say problems in the world that the men were neglecting, and rose up to fill those gaps. The Bible mentions too, in the book of 1 Chronicles, that because the Hebrew's current leader was too afraid to go into battle that the victory would fall into the hands of a woman. Jael was the woman who drove a tent stake through the enemy king's temple. Women were built to support and defend, strategize and organize. When called upon, they are able to take the place of men. The bitterness and rebellion agains the home maker image came when they took these male roles, and didn't receive the respect that men get.
God designed men and women to compliment eachother. When those lines of construction get blurred we become dissatisfied. I am working right now of trying to justify my extreme drive and desire to take over the world with the part of married me that feels so amazing when I make a good dinner, clean up the living room, and do scrapbooking. Its a dilemma - it seems to me that more of what we women need to do today is let go of stereotypes, images of our mothers, and focus on our purposes according to God.
This raises some interesting questions about the role of women in our society. We, collectively, are confused. Our role as outlined in the Bible is that of Helpmate, Co-General, Rescuer, and keeper of the home. The traditional role, built into our grand mothers is that of domestic servant, meant to birth, bake, and smile while doing it. Now-a-days women see themselves as successful only if they have a career and a sweeping romance in their life. Everything is about jobs and money. Home makers are seen as demure, mousey, and unmotivated. I think this view came from women earlier in the last century. They say problems in the world that the men were neglecting, and rose up to fill those gaps. The Bible mentions too, in the book of 1 Chronicles, that because the Hebrew's current leader was too afraid to go into battle that the victory would fall into the hands of a woman. Jael was the woman who drove a tent stake through the enemy king's temple. Women were built to support and defend, strategize and organize. When called upon, they are able to take the place of men. The bitterness and rebellion agains the home maker image came when they took these male roles, and didn't receive the respect that men get.
God designed men and women to compliment eachother. When those lines of construction get blurred we become dissatisfied. I am working right now of trying to justify my extreme drive and desire to take over the world with the part of married me that feels so amazing when I make a good dinner, clean up the living room, and do scrapbooking. Its a dilemma - it seems to me that more of what we women need to do today is let go of stereotypes, images of our mothers, and focus on our purposes according to God.
Chicklette 2:07 PM
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