Breckinridge Elkins
04-09-2010, 12:26 AM
Posted By Kelly Crawford on April 5, 2010
Recently, at the True Woman conference, we were challenged to begin a “counter revolution.” That is, a counter revolution to the revolution started around the 60’s that has continually pulled women farther from home, their children, and the love of family.
Whether she meant to or not, Betty Friedan was forced to paint a bleak picture of the woman at home. Through interviews baited with questions like, “Tell me how you’re hurting,” women began to be soothed by the promise of a “fulfilling life” outside the home.
There truly were disgruntled housewives, because no one had given them the clear, biblical picture of their vocations! Men and women alike really were confused about God’s design. They were easy to sway because they thought they were “just housewives.” They had no vision and no understanding of their power, so a glistening promise was an easy lure.
But there is a growing tide among women who are realizing the value and importance of the homemaker and the lies that have been painted about her. They see the difference in a home where there is a manager present who takes her job seriously. BUT…the picture has been so distorted for so long, it’s going to take some work to resurrect the true, powerful image of the modern homemaker. We are not June Cleavers; but we value home, far more than just the idealization of it. I want to paint a picture. I need you to help me. It’s not a fake picture where we are dressed in ruffles all day and the children are perfectly coiffed. Nor is it a picture of a “desperate housewife” enslaved to her lowly duties within the four walls of home.
I want to challenge you to paint your own picture of the modern-day homemaker. Our culture needs the true message–not a concocted one that props up a flimsy agenda, but a living, real message that tells women it is good and noble to devote their lives to strengthening their homes, communities, and nations. That a home neglected is a weak home; and a weak home gives way to a weak neighborhood; and a weak neighborhood can only be a crumbling foundation for a nation.
There are too many women who don’t see motherhood and governing the home as a vocation–a job that is crucial to the success of everything else, just the same as the manager’s job is crucial to overseeing the success of his company. They truly don’t know. They have believed the lie that it is a weak option at best. We can overturn the lie and begin to undergird the family once again.
We’re talking about power–God’s way–to change the world.
Here’s my picture:
We are a culture of real women, with real families and problems, but also a real understanding of the importance of our work in and among our homes and communities. We see a desperate need to return to a more simplistic way of living–for the health and good of all.
We are sharp; we are thinking women; we read; we have voracious appetites for learning and for teaching our children those things.
We value education, and also sitting in the quiet of a day.
We believe that “the greatest among you is the servant of all.”
We utilize our computers to assist us with diagnosing an illness, and when we’re done, we hang our laundry on the clothesline to save money.
We learn to cook from scratch because it’s cheaper, healthier, and wiser.
We make homemade laundry detergent (sometimes ).
We are on a never-ending quest to save money because “a dollar saved is more than a dollar earned,” and our husbands treasure that quality in us.
We believe motherhood is a vocation that comes with responsibilities, and we do what is necessary to fulfill them.
We delight in serving our husbands a cold glass of tea; not because he demands it or because we are subservient, but because we love him and cherish the smallest opportunity to communicate it. After all, he spends all day “speaking love to us” by working hard, making sure the oil is changed, unstopping the clogged pipes, and all sorts of other ways. We don’t feel we’re in competition, but rather, we are “heirs together in the grace of life.”
We understand the very real fact that humans need serenity, and we make it one of our jobs to create that for as many as we can around us.
We try to look around us and see if we can meet the practical needs of others.
We think generationally–beyond today–into our great-grandchildren’s lives. We journal about things we want our granddaughters to remember.
We teach our girls about strength and dignity and our boys about honor and protection. We also believe in equality, and in a beautiful array of differences.
We care deeply about politics and what happens to our world; and that is why we are home makers.
Dr. Gary North spoke at our church yesterday. He concluded with this powerful challenge:
“If everyone will do what he has been called to do in his small territory, and hold that territory, we will see a spiritual revival, and a country once again blessed by God.”
http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/?p=556
Recently, at the True Woman conference, we were challenged to begin a “counter revolution.” That is, a counter revolution to the revolution started around the 60’s that has continually pulled women farther from home, their children, and the love of family.
Whether she meant to or not, Betty Friedan was forced to paint a bleak picture of the woman at home. Through interviews baited with questions like, “Tell me how you’re hurting,” women began to be soothed by the promise of a “fulfilling life” outside the home.
There truly were disgruntled housewives, because no one had given them the clear, biblical picture of their vocations! Men and women alike really were confused about God’s design. They were easy to sway because they thought they were “just housewives.” They had no vision and no understanding of their power, so a glistening promise was an easy lure.
But there is a growing tide among women who are realizing the value and importance of the homemaker and the lies that have been painted about her. They see the difference in a home where there is a manager present who takes her job seriously. BUT…the picture has been so distorted for so long, it’s going to take some work to resurrect the true, powerful image of the modern homemaker. We are not June Cleavers; but we value home, far more than just the idealization of it. I want to paint a picture. I need you to help me. It’s not a fake picture where we are dressed in ruffles all day and the children are perfectly coiffed. Nor is it a picture of a “desperate housewife” enslaved to her lowly duties within the four walls of home.
I want to challenge you to paint your own picture of the modern-day homemaker. Our culture needs the true message–not a concocted one that props up a flimsy agenda, but a living, real message that tells women it is good and noble to devote their lives to strengthening their homes, communities, and nations. That a home neglected is a weak home; and a weak home gives way to a weak neighborhood; and a weak neighborhood can only be a crumbling foundation for a nation.
There are too many women who don’t see motherhood and governing the home as a vocation–a job that is crucial to the success of everything else, just the same as the manager’s job is crucial to overseeing the success of his company. They truly don’t know. They have believed the lie that it is a weak option at best. We can overturn the lie and begin to undergird the family once again.
We’re talking about power–God’s way–to change the world.
Here’s my picture:
We are a culture of real women, with real families and problems, but also a real understanding of the importance of our work in and among our homes and communities. We see a desperate need to return to a more simplistic way of living–for the health and good of all.
We are sharp; we are thinking women; we read; we have voracious appetites for learning and for teaching our children those things.
We value education, and also sitting in the quiet of a day.
We believe that “the greatest among you is the servant of all.”
We utilize our computers to assist us with diagnosing an illness, and when we’re done, we hang our laundry on the clothesline to save money.
We learn to cook from scratch because it’s cheaper, healthier, and wiser.
We make homemade laundry detergent (sometimes ).
We are on a never-ending quest to save money because “a dollar saved is more than a dollar earned,” and our husbands treasure that quality in us.
We believe motherhood is a vocation that comes with responsibilities, and we do what is necessary to fulfill them.
We delight in serving our husbands a cold glass of tea; not because he demands it or because we are subservient, but because we love him and cherish the smallest opportunity to communicate it. After all, he spends all day “speaking love to us” by working hard, making sure the oil is changed, unstopping the clogged pipes, and all sorts of other ways. We don’t feel we’re in competition, but rather, we are “heirs together in the grace of life.”
We understand the very real fact that humans need serenity, and we make it one of our jobs to create that for as many as we can around us.
We try to look around us and see if we can meet the practical needs of others.
We think generationally–beyond today–into our great-grandchildren’s lives. We journal about things we want our granddaughters to remember.
We teach our girls about strength and dignity and our boys about honor and protection. We also believe in equality, and in a beautiful array of differences.
We care deeply about politics and what happens to our world; and that is why we are home makers.
Dr. Gary North spoke at our church yesterday. He concluded with this powerful challenge:
“If everyone will do what he has been called to do in his small territory, and hold that territory, we will see a spiritual revival, and a country once again blessed by God.”
http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/?p=556