Shut-Up and Scrub the Toilet

Wow. When I read that post, I think of God's commission to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 3:5-7:

You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language, but to the house of Israel-not to many peoples of obscure speech and difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate.

The women who wrote that letter is right when she says:

Let us show by our lives -- our love for the Lord, for our husbands, for our children, for our home -- that there is a better way.

It's a fight that is crazy-go-nuts, but it's winnable. God's directions to Ezekiel were:

"But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house."

We (Christians) cannot give up. The fight for truth is long and continuous. BUT, we have the advantage of design on our hands; we know how God created things to work and we understand the horrible tension between accepting design and rebelling against the creator. And when you (Godly, articulate, intelligent, loving, happy, submissive mothers) make claims and back it up with how you live at home, the "rebellious house" of feminism cannot stand it. THAT is why they get angry.

Ravi Zacharis said "The thing that most vexes men is seeing their own sins in someone else".

That's true, but on this topic I'd say "the thing that most vexes feminists is seeing everything they desire in a stay at home mom".

Live the truth ladies.

Yes, it seems we women that embrace the complimentarian view are a dying breed. Truly it is not at all about being a doormat for we really are strong women. I guess I consider myself a rebel against feminism. Where the fight will be most effective is in showing the joy of living out God's design in our homes, for the Lord, our husbands, our children. I've lived that other feminist life... there you will find emptiness, discontentment, a downward spiral.
Thank you for your encouraging words Mr. Armchair Theologian.

err Lisa you ok?

Do you really believe that all feminists think /behave like this

I want the freedom to not be bound by marriage, to sleep with multiple partners and use birth control or morning-after pills or abortion so I never have to worry about the consequences of my actions.

if you do, then you are sadly mistaken (as is your new friend)

You see, for me I respect your choice to have six kids, to homeschool, to be at home, not to serve God by preaching etc etc I'm perfectly ok with it. I don't think you've wasted yourlife, or your brain (or whatever else your friend has heard) I think you are educating your family and it's brilliant :)

But I want to make some other points:

I certainly have
1. not slept around
2. had an abortion
3. used any morning after pills. etc etc.

grr (and grin)

so please don't fall into the trap of "one size fits all!"
(please!)

also you write

"Where the fight will be most effective is in showing the joy of living out God's design in our homes, for the Lord, our husbands, our children."

NO. where the fight will be most effecive is in showing the joy of living out God's design WHEREVER we might be

We won't all have nice homes, husbands or children. And you have no idea of the situation that families both in the US and abroad are. Some do make the choice to work for 'wrong reasons' I admit, but not all.

The important thing I think is to find God's place of REST in what we do. Not try to earn his approval. His love is sure anyway. By going out to work we have the opportunity to show the JOY of the LORD elsewhere too - if that's where God wants us to be, and if we choose to obey Him on that.

In Finland we are very priv. that we get almost 1 year paid maternity leave (high taxes yes, some good returns into families incl free school lunches for ALL etc hallelujah) but your post suggests that by not staying at home, for the Lord, husband and kids it's an automatic life of emptiness etc

NO! If you are spirit filled, even with a menial job your life can be - and should be -rewarding and good. No downward spirals just because you feel that having a job is the right thing to do (for you)

I respect that you've chosen another path. I'm delighted that your husband supports that choice. I think it's wonderful that you've adopted and that you are committed to all your kids,their education etc I'm glad you found your calling - but there is a lot of diversity in the body of Christ (God didnt even make two snowflakes the same) so be generous and allow for the possibility that some women may work away from home, and still be filled with God's joy.

OK?

"Do you really believe that all feminists think /behave like this."

You are living proof that not all feminists are this extreme. But honestly, you are a rare gem among the feminist camp. Though I so do not agree with your pastoral role as I have said often, I do believe you are a genuine Christian as much as one can tell from what you have written, that has fallen into the Egalitarian trap.

"please don't fall into the trap of "one size fits all!"

Yes. You are right. This has essentially illustrated the extreme, but also very popular view of feminism. Lumping every feminist in this camp might be like lumping all those who embrace the Doctrines of Grace into the same camp as a hyper-Calvinist.

"Where the fight will be most effective is in showing the joy of living out God's design in our homes, for the Lord, our husbands, our children."

This does not exclude women that have to work outside the home. However, if a women does not have to work outside the home and chooses to, I do not agree with that.

Some do make the choice to work for 'wrong reasons' I admit, but not all....The important thing I think is to find God's place of REST in what we do. Not try to earn his approval. His love is sure anyway.

I agree.

"...automatic life of emptiness....No downward spirals just because you feel that having a job is the right thing to do (for you)... be generous and allow for the possibility that some women may work away from home, and still be filled with God's joy."

Motives are key here. I have seen too many women go to work outside the home, not because they had to, but because they failed to trust God and got caught in the pressure from the world regarding the lack of respect that does prevail out there for stay at home moms. It's out there Lorna. And it is a huge load of pressure when you get your eyes off Christ. There is only one other stay at home mom in my neighborhood. Most of the women have executive jobs. Though they could live well on just one income, it is the getting caught up in the "stuff" that lures them... getting "stuff" that gathers dust and "stuff" that moth destroys. I am one of the few stay at home moms within the realm of doctors wives. Most of them work high level jobs or are also doctors. When I am asked what I do... it is this pity, can't relate response. And responses to homeschooling. ugh. Most think I'm crazy and ask why I would do such a thing when there are perfectly good schools to take your kids so you can have a break. A break from what... enjoying getting to be a part of their education? Watching them finally "get" something they have struggled to understand? I do not want a break from that. I love being with my children. Yes, I need breaks from them. Going out on dates with my husband, going to ladie's prayer meetings and Bible studies, etc. But life is short and so is time with them. Why, if given a choice, would I want to spend 8 to 10 hours a day away from the very children that God has given me to raise up for his glory? A non-Christian woman, and even quite a few that claim to be Christians cannot comprehend this. What they are missing. And for those in situations where they have to work... God always works things out for the good of His children. And if it the husband that is forcing his wife to work outside the home because of the "stuff" issue, then he will have to answer for that because that boils down to a sin issue.

Hey Lorna and anyone else that does not want to mis out on an excellent article... go to this link.