During discussions with my daughter and other unmarried women across the United States including various countries, it is amazing to hear the diverse interests young ladies hold as the Lord prepares them for their future callings. Considering the beautiful role given to adapt "help meet" to one's husband, it is so edifying to hear how the Lord is working this incredible plan in these dear girls. Many interests young women hold, may be the very encouragment needed to help their future husband "win the battle" to succeed in life.I spent many years considering "why?"
I had interests in filmmaking, nature, business and various outdoor sports then later realized the Lord created me for my husband's good. ( Camouflage pattern designed by my husband Brian)
Brian is an amazingly talented inventor, businessman and Sportsman especially geared in the field of bow hunting whitetail and camouflage design. He loves nature, wildlife photography, creative design, invention, hunting, along with many other gifts of hospitality, counsel and peacefully refreshing the body of Christ. Feeling at one time that my interests and talents did not seem "real feminine", I recall praying that my desires would become more "homemakey"~my terminology.
As I embraced femininity, being a Titus 2:5 homemaker and accepted that these additional talents were from the Lord, I realized I didn't loose anything but was able to give so much more to my husbands calling. As I let go of "my" resolve and adapted "my" plans to his leanings then the Lord opened the windows of heaven and poured out such a blessing I have not been able to contain it. This strengthened my husbands life purpose for I truly understood his heart, his ideas and business with the desires God gave him.
As I embraced femininity, being a Titus 2:5 homemaker and accepted that these additional talents were from the Lord, I realized I didn't loose anything but was able to give so much more to my husbands calling. As I let go of "my" resolve and adapted "my" plans to his leanings then the Lord opened the windows of heaven and poured out such a blessing I have not been able to contain it. This strengthened my husbands life purpose for I truly understood his heart, his ideas and business with the desires God gave him.
It is such a joy to be designed especially for him as I yield to God's design for me.
So young ladies, take heart!
You may think you have a very odd interest when in fact...
it may be the very thing God gave to be a greater
"help meet" to that wonderful man He has in store for you.
To the wives who wonder what in the world I am talking about, I will ask you this...have you followed the biblical mandate to adapt yourself to your husbands plans? Have you set aside your own agenda? Have you given up "your rights" to have it your way yet? As you take the plunge surrendering your will to His, you will find true freedom, deeper joy, your highest calling and the greatest fulfillment you will ever know this side of heaven.
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."
Genesis 2:18
4 comments:
Thank you Mrs. Hollinger! This was very encouraging. Have a blessed day.
Dearest Jennifer,
It is always so good to hear from you and your wonderful family. May the Lord be honored and others be encouraged too!
I just stumbled upon your lovely blog. The post is encouraging. I too have interests that don't seem so feminine; it is almost wholly men I meet who share my main reading interests. One pastor of mine told me he thinks I "think a bit more like a man" than most women do. Another man told me he's known one or two other women like me, but I'm pretty unusual. I love to be feminine, as I take you to in various ways (reading and viewing your blog briefly is enough to teach me that!); but part of me still doesn't fit the norm. I absolutely love chopping (small) tree branches and similar outdoor tasks.... And I do think it will make me a good match for some man (indeed, the men who are interested in me seem interested partly because of my unusual aspects!). It's good to remember when I am tempted to wonder why God made me to be so alone among women in some of my interests...
Your bit at the end of the post is especially great - calling people to examine if they've lived for their husbands. And even as an unmarried woman, it _stings_ in a beneficial way. Your affirmation one finds life's best that way is also heartening :-)
You may have a new regular reader!
Appreciatively,
Lindsy
Dearest Lindsy,
How wonderful to hear another woman desiring to honor God with the gifts He gives. I always wondered where my so called "Tomboy" ways would take me. I should write more about the 180 degree change that occured in my heart when I realized I needed the Lord to teach me "how to become" feminine when I first became a Christian. The more I surrendered, the more He revealed that I can be very feminine and still use me to be a helpmeet in what may be perceived a very masculine field we are in, within the industry of our business. My husband and I are currently at an Outdoorsmen's Tradeshow Event and here I support him with all the counsel he expects me to give him and tangible assistance. He taught me well, relies on my feedback and support which God inspires me to do so.
Even if what you have learned is not useful at the moment, if God is in it, He will reveal His plan in His timing. The most important question you need to ask is "Am I surrendered in being feminine? To developing those abilities, attributes and qualities?" Or "Am I just wanting my way?"
It is very important to ask this and lay down you will to Christ's to become a balanced woman. It takes a great deal more strength and character to become a Titus 2:5 woman than it does to be a Christian feminist which is an oxymoron statement and not biblical. A woman geared to outdoorsmen qualities does NOT have to be a feminist or violate scripture. Yet a hearty lifestyle, bent for business or other non-traditional types of interests must be carefully weighed. Is God preparing you to be an awesome women to support your future man through those particular gifts or talents or are you working out your own plan? The more you are willing to lay it all down for the Lord to develop your feminine side, the clearer you will see the motivations of your heart.
In addition for the unmarried woman, a good question to ask yourself would be, "Am I honoring my father and following his plan for my life or am I in resistance trying to have my own way"? With a heartfelt honest evaluation, one can easily find the reality of the situation and who you are really serving.
God's word does not contradict itself. The normative plan is the same for the majority to become Titus 2:5 women. Each of us have an array of colors within the boundaries set to become all God wants us to be as we endeavor to be great wives, mothers, daughters and sisters for the men he placed in our lives.
This is truly a heart question and we must remember to line our thinking with scripture and not "feelings" as we seek to stay on course in "real womanhood".
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