Hi Ladies,
I am behind on my posting here because we had a one- week family vacation, which ended with me in the ER for gall bladder problems. As soon as they figure out what's going on and what they're going to do, I will let you know and get caught back up!
Thanks for your prayers and your patience! Feel free to continue posting your opinions on the next chapter, and we will pick it all up from there!
Thanks girls!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
My Thoughts
WOW! Funny you called this blog Righteous Rains.... I am DEFINITELY feeling a downpour! LOL This is such a convicting study for me. God knows just what you need when you need it. Isn't that beautiful? Actually sometimes it is a little irritating! God, really? Do I go around with a frown? I am trying so hard to smile ALL the time since I read that. To let things go.... How much do the little things matter? What I require of my children is above all a good attitude. Now why can't I seem to manage that myself? Don't get me wrong, I try and sometimes too hard. The one person that gets the worst of me is my precious husband. God is helping me through this study to realize that is the one person that needs my best. God created me to give him my best! All right girls...I am trying. Pray for me! In fact, let's all pray for each other. :) SMILE!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Renee ~ Chp. 2 and 3
Short chapters full of good stuff! What stuck out to me was having a heart of joy and thanksgiving. Basically, the old adage of reaping what you sow. If I go about my day in a bad mood with bitterness and resentment, it will affect everyone around me. Moms know this all too well when your baby is upset and you get upset. She only gets more frustrated, right? It doesn't help to calm her down at all!
So that's the way my hubby-to-be must feel. My bad attitude (or good attitude) rubs off on him too! Remembering to be thankful for not only him, but our beautiful daughter, and all the other things that God has blessed us with, will start my day out on the right foot.
Now I'm the first to admit that I'm not always happy, but I do always try to look at the bright side of things (earning me the nickname "sunshine" from a couple friends, haha!). Although this may annoy some people sometimes, for the most part, you can't be or stay mad when you see the joy in life. Take a little time each day to see what God has created for us and given us - you just can't help but be joyful and thankful!
So that's the way my hubby-to-be must feel. My bad attitude (or good attitude) rubs off on him too! Remembering to be thankful for not only him, but our beautiful daughter, and all the other things that God has blessed us with, will start my day out on the right foot.
Now I'm the first to admit that I'm not always happy, but I do always try to look at the bright side of things (earning me the nickname "sunshine" from a couple friends, haha!). Although this may annoy some people sometimes, for the most part, you can't be or stay mad when you see the joy in life. Take a little time each day to see what God has created for us and given us - you just can't help but be joyful and thankful!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Chapter 1, from Anna's perspective
Hi Ladies!
First, I want to thank you all again for taking this journey with me! I've been married to my husband for almost 14 years now, and we've really had a great marriage. Of course, we've both had our moments, because we're human. But I can honestly say that I am a very thankful and blessed woman in my family life. I have a husband that cares about me and spoils me, I have healthy, happy children that I am able to spend every waking moment with, and I have a God that never turns His back on me- even when I turn my back on him.
But all that being said, there are days that I feel like I have to kick myself in order to get out of my funk. I have to really work hard to get up and clean the house, and do the dishes and put the laundry away.
WHY IS THAT??
I mean, my kids are expected to wake up at a certain time to start their homeschool work. My husband wakes before the sun to drive downtown for work, and he doesn't get back home until 8:00 pm most nights! Yet I feel like I deserve this daily break from my chores and duties around the house? It doesn't make sense. Don't get me wrong- my laundry stays finished, my sink stays empty (for the most part), and my house USUALLY stays presentable. But after I've had a day of intense cleaning, I'm usually feeling a little bit like a slave- a maid- a Cinderella sans Godmother.
Why is it that I can feel sorry for myself for having to do my job?? Strange, right? I feel a little bit like a spoiled brat as I write this. And this is the reason that I felt the need to study this book that Jen mentioned she was reading.
So I read the first chapter, and the first thought that came to me as I was reading was, "HOW could a woman POSSIBLY bring herself to THROW ROCKS at her husband?!?" Yet, on the days I'm down about my daily chores, that's what I'm doing- just not in a literal sense! By not doing my job cheerfully and lovingly, I'm dragging my family down! How can I expect my kids to do their homeschool work with good attitudes when I can't have a good working attitude myself? If I clean the entire house spotless, and my husband comes home and doesn't even notice it, how can I be upset? His lack of acknowledgement may be a direct result of my grumpiness!
The second thing that struck me was the fact that I was CREATED for my HUSBAND. When I think about those words, quite a few things come to mind. How special is it to have something created especially for you?? I had a friend who gave us the great wedding gift of a huge set of embroidered towels. I felt so special that she had these made especially for us! Another time, a friend monogrammed adorable bags and beach towels for all my girls. They loved them so much! Sometimes, I sew my daughters a cute little stuffed friend. I pick out the eyes in each of my daughter's favorite colors, pick a material I know they would love, and make each furry friend exactly the way that will make each daughter smile. Any time I sew my girls a little stuffed animal or paint them a picture, the first thing they say is, "You made this especially for ME??" It makes them feel really important!
So, how much more special, more customized, more perfect of a fit, must WE be for our HUSBANDS if we were custom-made by GOD for them? It is a mind-blowing thought.
The last thought I will share on Chapter One is from the "Time to Consider" section. I have created my new habit, and it is working wonders already! I have made it a point to arise before my family in the morning, and sit in front of my Bible. It is a humbling experience, and it has given me a much-needed boost to my day. It has made me more tolerant, more patient, and more relaxed. If you don't already do this, try it for a week. I would be curious to hear if this habit has the same effect on you!
First, I want to thank you all again for taking this journey with me! I've been married to my husband for almost 14 years now, and we've really had a great marriage. Of course, we've both had our moments, because we're human. But I can honestly say that I am a very thankful and blessed woman in my family life. I have a husband that cares about me and spoils me, I have healthy, happy children that I am able to spend every waking moment with, and I have a God that never turns His back on me- even when I turn my back on him.
But all that being said, there are days that I feel like I have to kick myself in order to get out of my funk. I have to really work hard to get up and clean the house, and do the dishes and put the laundry away.
WHY IS THAT??
I mean, my kids are expected to wake up at a certain time to start their homeschool work. My husband wakes before the sun to drive downtown for work, and he doesn't get back home until 8:00 pm most nights! Yet I feel like I deserve this daily break from my chores and duties around the house? It doesn't make sense. Don't get me wrong- my laundry stays finished, my sink stays empty (for the most part), and my house USUALLY stays presentable. But after I've had a day of intense cleaning, I'm usually feeling a little bit like a slave- a maid- a Cinderella sans Godmother.
Why is it that I can feel sorry for myself for having to do my job?? Strange, right? I feel a little bit like a spoiled brat as I write this. And this is the reason that I felt the need to study this book that Jen mentioned she was reading.
So I read the first chapter, and the first thought that came to me as I was reading was, "HOW could a woman POSSIBLY bring herself to THROW ROCKS at her husband?!?" Yet, on the days I'm down about my daily chores, that's what I'm doing- just not in a literal sense! By not doing my job cheerfully and lovingly, I'm dragging my family down! How can I expect my kids to do their homeschool work with good attitudes when I can't have a good working attitude myself? If I clean the entire house spotless, and my husband comes home and doesn't even notice it, how can I be upset? His lack of acknowledgement may be a direct result of my grumpiness!
The second thing that struck me was the fact that I was CREATED for my HUSBAND. When I think about those words, quite a few things come to mind. How special is it to have something created especially for you?? I had a friend who gave us the great wedding gift of a huge set of embroidered towels. I felt so special that she had these made especially for us! Another time, a friend monogrammed adorable bags and beach towels for all my girls. They loved them so much! Sometimes, I sew my daughters a cute little stuffed friend. I pick out the eyes in each of my daughter's favorite colors, pick a material I know they would love, and make each furry friend exactly the way that will make each daughter smile. Any time I sew my girls a little stuffed animal or paint them a picture, the first thing they say is, "You made this especially for ME??" It makes them feel really important!
So, how much more special, more customized, more perfect of a fit, must WE be for our HUSBANDS if we were custom-made by GOD for them? It is a mind-blowing thought.
The last thought I will share on Chapter One is from the "Time to Consider" section. I have created my new habit, and it is working wonders already! I have made it a point to arise before my family in the morning, and sit in front of my Bible. It is a humbling experience, and it has given me a much-needed boost to my day. It has made me more tolerant, more patient, and more relaxed. If you don't already do this, try it for a week. I would be curious to hear if this habit has the same effect on you!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
sorry I'm late!
Let me start by introducing myself - my name is Renee and I have known Anna and Jenny since grade school in Northeast TN (as Jenny mentioned earlier!). I am a new mom of an 11 week old baby girl and am marrying her incredible father next month :) I live in Lawrenceville, GA and work 2 part-time jobs for a little extra cash and sanity. Needless to say, my schedule is a little hectic and I'm usually under some form of stress, either baby or wedding related. I am so looking forward to this study and getting to know you all!
Sorry I'm late in getting on here and reading the first chapter. My book arrived in the mail on Tuesday and I love it already! What a great book for rediscovering what God's purpose is for women. I think that society in general does not look too kindly on this idea of a "help meet" for a man and I am so glad to be among a group of women here, and in my circle of friends, that believes in it; believes in our Creator and His divine plan. I know that I am all too guilty of wanting to do things my own way and need reminding on a nearly daily basis that it is His plan, not mine.
I am intrigued by the question the author brought up regarding my future husband - the question that if his ideal helper were created, would I be it? I hope so! The lines about serving him is essentially serving God is so powerful - I believe that he was created for me, so I should be honored to serve him as I serve God!
I have been lacking on my time spent in God's Word lately and truly am inspired just in this first chapter to get back into it - with the Scriptures listed and with the "homework" given at the end. Looking forward to this journey of rediscovering and redefining our purpose as a wife with you all!
Sorry I'm late in getting on here and reading the first chapter. My book arrived in the mail on Tuesday and I love it already! What a great book for rediscovering what God's purpose is for women. I think that society in general does not look too kindly on this idea of a "help meet" for a man and I am so glad to be among a group of women here, and in my circle of friends, that believes in it; believes in our Creator and His divine plan. I know that I am all too guilty of wanting to do things my own way and need reminding on a nearly daily basis that it is His plan, not mine.
I am intrigued by the question the author brought up regarding my future husband - the question that if his ideal helper were created, would I be it? I hope so! The lines about serving him is essentially serving God is so powerful - I believe that he was created for me, so I should be honored to serve him as I serve God!
I have been lacking on my time spent in God's Word lately and truly am inspired just in this first chapter to get back into it - with the Scriptures listed and with the "homework" given at the end. Looking forward to this journey of rediscovering and redefining our purpose as a wife with you all!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Behind already!
Hey Ladies! I am so excited to participate in a bible study online. My life has gotten too busy to schedule out a regular meeting time so I welcome this new kind of group! I too am a homeschool mom of two kids, Judson (11) and Caroline (10). I also work 7 days on/7 days off as a hospital pharmacist at Northside Forsyth Hospital. My political husband has recently put his name on the ballot for Forsyth County District 1 Commissioner. This is clearly not my calling so I need some encouragement to give him encouragement. LOL I am hoping and praying that this book/study/blog will do just that. I am looking forward to our discussions. However, I am BEHIND ALREADY. I just ordered the book and companion journal and hope to recieve it in a few days. I will post again after reading the first chapter! Hope your week is awesome!
chapter one
well i'll start us off, i have several thoughts...
1)i never thought of being a help meet as my "purpose for being created" [pg 21]. the sunday school answer to "why were we [mankind] created?" was always some variation of "to worship him." looking at these verses on creation and women lends a new light to that though. as women we were created not simply to worship god but to complete (help) the created man. especially as a newer wife (one year anniversary in a few days) i still am adjusting to thinking of myself not alone in spiritual terms. for so long it was "wait, be patient, concentrate on being godly yourself" and not coveting the role of wife/mother that i always wanted. and yet, it seems so natural to take on the roles of "woman" in my marriage. part of my purpose now truly is to help my husband. i like thinking of it as on pg 22 - to honor and serve your husband is to honor and and serve god.
2)"a unisex society is a senseless society" [pg 21]. amen! while i have advance pretty far in the career world i have always said i love my field for the fact that no one expects me to be a man! but even still when working outside the home there is a level of control that i know is not mine to weld at home. i spend my whole time at work giving orders (to techs, to nurses, to patients). i've done that for 10 years now...and only a year ago did i have to start stepping back outside of work and let someone else have the role of leader. it hasn't always been easy...i like her example on pg 23 of herself going through the office. i can relate to that bc i've never thought of myself as better than those i manage/direct at work. in the same way a husband is no better than a wife. but only one person can be in charge...and it is not the wife!
3)"if god created a special woman, perfectly suited to be your husband's helper, would you be that woman?" [pg 21] my husband frequently laughs and tells me he knows i'm not perfect but that i'm perfect for him...if u asked him this question he would say absolutely i would be that woman. however, when u ask ME, i see all kinds of shortcomings i wish i could do better, or be better FOR him. and while i say the same thing to him...(for indeed he is NOT perfect) he is soooo good to me that it inspires me to be good to him...but i am so flawed. anyone else struggle w/ this? i know my self worth and don't really have self esteem issues...it is just the same sense of falling short of the mark set before me that i get when i reflect on my measurement of what god would have me do in all other areas of life...
4)"a perfect help meet is one who does not require a list of chores..." [pg 23] that is surely high standards. it is so much easier to me to go down the checklist of what i need to do/should do than to seek out things that i think he would want done. it is sometimes tough to see bc so much of everything he wants done he just up and does himself. maybe as time goes on i will be able to predict these things better but for now...we both had been so independent for so long that we are used to doing for ourselves. and many things he is a tad OCD about...ie: i did the dishes the other night (he usually does...and this is why) thinking i was helping him bc he seemed tired. a couple days later he said to me "hey, thanks for doing the dishes the other night...i noticed" so i said "ur welcome...why did u notice" and he said "well u kinda cheated, bc they were in the dishwasher. so i took them out and just washed them by hand." at which point all i could say was "so, not a big help then if ur still going to take them out and do them. next time i'll just have to wash them by hand" and he said "no, don't do that...i still have to rewash them...i don't think u use hot enough water" LOL and this is why HE does the dishes....did i mention he is a clean freak? he says he enjoys it tho...guess that falls under his discretion of what he would like to delegate to me. i hope to someday be deemed able to both wash dishes well enough and fold his clothes correctly (again...he redoes them if i do his folding)
anyhow those are my thoughts on chapter one...
1)i never thought of being a help meet as my "purpose for being created" [pg 21]. the sunday school answer to "why were we [mankind] created?" was always some variation of "to worship him." looking at these verses on creation and women lends a new light to that though. as women we were created not simply to worship god but to complete (help) the created man. especially as a newer wife (one year anniversary in a few days) i still am adjusting to thinking of myself not alone in spiritual terms. for so long it was "wait, be patient, concentrate on being godly yourself" and not coveting the role of wife/mother that i always wanted. and yet, it seems so natural to take on the roles of "woman" in my marriage. part of my purpose now truly is to help my husband. i like thinking of it as on pg 22 - to honor and serve your husband is to honor and and serve god.
2)"a unisex society is a senseless society" [pg 21]. amen! while i have advance pretty far in the career world i have always said i love my field for the fact that no one expects me to be a man! but even still when working outside the home there is a level of control that i know is not mine to weld at home. i spend my whole time at work giving orders (to techs, to nurses, to patients). i've done that for 10 years now...and only a year ago did i have to start stepping back outside of work and let someone else have the role of leader. it hasn't always been easy...i like her example on pg 23 of herself going through the office. i can relate to that bc i've never thought of myself as better than those i manage/direct at work. in the same way a husband is no better than a wife. but only one person can be in charge...and it is not the wife!
3)"if god created a special woman, perfectly suited to be your husband's helper, would you be that woman?" [pg 21] my husband frequently laughs and tells me he knows i'm not perfect but that i'm perfect for him...if u asked him this question he would say absolutely i would be that woman. however, when u ask ME, i see all kinds of shortcomings i wish i could do better, or be better FOR him. and while i say the same thing to him...(for indeed he is NOT perfect) he is soooo good to me that it inspires me to be good to him...but i am so flawed. anyone else struggle w/ this? i know my self worth and don't really have self esteem issues...it is just the same sense of falling short of the mark set before me that i get when i reflect on my measurement of what god would have me do in all other areas of life...
4)"a perfect help meet is one who does not require a list of chores..." [pg 23] that is surely high standards. it is so much easier to me to go down the checklist of what i need to do/should do than to seek out things that i think he would want done. it is sometimes tough to see bc so much of everything he wants done he just up and does himself. maybe as time goes on i will be able to predict these things better but for now...we both had been so independent for so long that we are used to doing for ourselves. and many things he is a tad OCD about...ie: i did the dishes the other night (he usually does...and this is why) thinking i was helping him bc he seemed tired. a couple days later he said to me "hey, thanks for doing the dishes the other night...i noticed" so i said "ur welcome...why did u notice" and he said "well u kinda cheated, bc they were in the dishwasher. so i took them out and just washed them by hand." at which point all i could say was "so, not a big help then if ur still going to take them out and do them. next time i'll just have to wash them by hand" and he said "no, don't do that...i still have to rewash them...i don't think u use hot enough water" LOL and this is why HE does the dishes....did i mention he is a clean freak? he says he enjoys it tho...guess that falls under his discretion of what he would like to delegate to me. i hope to someday be deemed able to both wash dishes well enough and fold his clothes correctly (again...he redoes them if i do his folding)
anyhow those are my thoughts on chapter one...
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