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Friday, May 29, 2009

"Bowing Out" - Submission, The Pope, & Abuse (This Is A Long One Folks!)


"Submission
is the divine calling of a wife to honor and affirm her husband’s leadership and help carry it through according to her gifts. " John Piper

I want to address two comments from two anonymous readers. Here are the comments:

Comment #1
"I am so sad to say I am going to have to bow out from your blog until this one is over. :( I see my dear Christian friend verbally abused daily, harshly, meanly, by her "believing" husband day in and day out.

I don't believe God is so "boxy" that she should say "okay" no matter what. Being treated like nothing more than dust on the bottom of an arrogant, uncaring man's shoe is not God's plan for this dear sister.

I think we need to be careful with blanket challenges. Life is more real than that, and harsh. God has a purpose in all that He allows to touch our lives, but He does not expect our answer to always be "okay" to those hurting us.
"

First of all friend, please do not bow out! You have very valid points and I want you to continue in the discussion. What you have to say is just an echo of what many are feeling. With that said, I have to base my response on what God says, not what I think, feel, or want. While we are not to submit to our husbands into sin (never, never) we are to submit in everything else.

"Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." Ephesians 5:24

The issue really comes down to whether or not you believe and trust God. These are His commands, not mine. Perhaps your friend's husband will be won over by his wife's submission. Maybe her loving-kindness will break his cruel heart. We must think of the eternal, not just the here and now. She could potentially be instrumental in saving his soul if he isn't truly saved. Now, if physical abuse was going on, I would encourage her (especially if she has children) to go to a safe place and not continue living with him for the time being. I would say to stay married to him, pray for him, and try to submit to him in the ways that she can without placing herself and her children in harm's way. The goal would be for restoration on his part (no more physical abuse) and restoration of their marriage to be a true picture of love and servanthood towards one another. If we give up, we don't allow the opportunity (and blessing) for God to redeem, save, and restore.

I now defer to what John Piper has to say on this subject: The deepest root of Christian womanhood mentioned in this text is hope in God. “Holy women who hoped in God.” She looks away from the troubles and miseries and obstacles of life that seem to make the future bleak, and she focuses her attention on the sovereign power and love of God who rules in heaven and does on earth whatever he pleases. She knows her Bible, and she knows her theology of the sovereignty of God, and she knows his promise that he will be with her and help her strengthen her no matter what. This is the deep, unshakable root of Christian womanhood. Mature Christian women know that following Christ will mean suffering. But they believe the promises like 1 Peter 3:14, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,” and 1 Peter 4:19, “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” But the truth of headship and submission is really here and really beautiful. When you see it lived out with the mark of Christ’s majesty on it—the mutuality of servanthood without cancelling the reality of headship and submission—it is a wonderful and deeply satisfying drama.

Comment #2
Okay, so I'm the second one to bow out until this is done. I'll argue until the cows come home that women and men ARE made differently, better suited to different roles. I'll agree with Isabel's point that "all things work together for good". However, I'd encourage her and anyone else open-minded enough to read over Pope John Paul's "On the Dignity and Vocation of Women." My Catholic belief is that marriage calls for mutual submission. Both parties must die to themselves to become one in marriage. Did Jesus not die to become savior of his Church? And so the Church (those people that make up the Church) must deny it's own selfish desires to follow Christ. This is what is meant by the comparison of marriage to the relationship of Christ and the Church. Anyway, until you're all done submitting, I'm out.


Let me echo my above sentiments - please consider sticking around! What you have to say is worthwhile, and what I have to say is worth at least "listening" to.

Okay, I tried to read the Pope's article, but it was just too difficult to read...and long. I will say this, I absolutely 100% agree that "marriage calls for mutual submission." Totally biblical:

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:21

See my post "Something Greater" for more thoughts on the comparison of marriage and the relationship to the church and Christ.

What struck me about your comment was this statement: "until you're done submitting, I'm out!" That sounds angry to me, and my question to you is, "why are you angry?" What is it about submitting to your husband's authority that pricks something in your heart? I think I can speak further to this if I have an inkling into the spirit in which you are speaking.

I truly appreciate your comments! It pushes me to study God's word more faithfully, and to continuing asking, "Lord, what do you say?"

Six Things Submission Is Not

(From the article, The Beautiful Faith of Fearless Submission, John Piper)

Based on 1 Peter 3:1-6

1. Submission does not mean agreeing with everything your husband says. You can see that in verse one: she is a Christian and he is not. He has one set of ideas about ultimate reality. She has another. Peter calls her to be submissive while assuming she will not submit to his view of the most important thing in the world—God. So submission can’t mean submitting to agree with all her husband thinks.

2. Submission does not mean leaving your brain or your will at the wedding altar. It is not the inability or the unwillingness to think for yourself. Here is a woman who heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. She thought about it. She assessed the truth claims of Jesus. She apprehended in her heart the beauty and worth of Christ and his work, and she chose him. Her husband heard it also. Otherwise, Peter probably wouldn’t say he “disobeyed the word.” He has heard the word, and he has thought about it. And he has not chosen Christ. She thought for herself and she acted. And Peter does not tell her to retreat from that commitment.

3. Submission does not mean avoiding every effort to change a husband. The whole point of this text is to tell a wife how to “win” her husband. Verse 1 says, “Be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives.” If you didn’t care about the Bible you might say, “Submission has to mean taking a husband the way he is and not trying to change him.” But if you believe what the Bible says, you conclude that submission, paradoxically, is sometimes a strategy for changing him.

4. Submission does not mean putting the will of the husband before the will of Christ. The text clearly teaches that the wife is a follower of Jesus before and above being a follower of her husband. Submission to Jesus relativizes submission to husbands—and governments and employers and parents. When Sarah called Abraham “lord” in verse 6, it was lord with a lowercase l. It’s like “sir” or “m’lord.” And the obedience she rendered is qualified obedience because her supreme allegiance is to the Lord with a capital L.

5. Submission does not mean that a wife gets her personal, spiritual strength primarily through her husband. A good husband should indeed strengthen and build up and sustain his wife. He should be a source of strength. But what this text shows is that when a husband’s spiritual leadership is lacking, a Christian wife is not bereft of strength. Submission does not mean she is dependent on him to supply her strength of faith and virtue and character. The text, in fact, assumes just the opposite. She is summoned to develop depth and strength and character not from her husband but for her husband. Verse five says that her hope is in God in the hope that her husband will join her there.

6. Finally submission does not mean that a wife is to act out of fear. Verse 6b says, “You are her [Sarah’s] children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.” In other words, submission is free, not coerced by fear. The Christian woman is a free woman. When she submits to her husband—whether he is a believer or unbeliever—she does it in freedom, not out of fear.

If you are feeling angry over the submission issue, I urge you to check out my Core Lies Series. So often we have been deeply wounded by sin that the outpour of hearts is corrupted by pain.

Continue the discussion everyday by subscribing here (it's free).

41 comments:

Amanda Jo said...

Excellent replies to both of those ladies. Very gracious yet you didn't back down from the truth!

One of my favorite points on this subject goes along with what you said about sumbission being a voluntary thing: it is not the place of the husband to insure or force submission. I do think, though, that in the right context it is perfectly permissable for a godly husband to humbly and gently rebuke his wife for a lack of sumbission.

Anyway, I love your blog and learn SO much from you!! Keep up the good work!

Amanda Jo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amanda Jo said...

Rebuke was the wrong word. Please replace that word with the word "correct".

Please forgive the mix up.

katylinvw said...

Keep it up Sarah Mae! you sure can preach it :) love this series!!!

Erich and Jacquie said...

This topic is near and dear to my heart and it gave me the opportunity to post/tell my husband why he ROCKS today - because he understands his role of being a man and a husband, which bibically supports my role as his wife.

Funny, after reading the comments of concered readers, I also immediately went to Piper's same article. And Sarah Mae, you captured the heart of the message very well, as usual.

Marriage is said to be a mystery in the Bible. I think if we all could live in the definitive roles that God created each of us for, we perhaps could better see the miracles He gives us, including our marriages when God-centered.

I love this challenge because we are not natually submissive to our husbands all the time and this gives us opportunity to be intentional about it. I have already been tested today - and I think I passed it so far. LOL

Trixie said...

I love this blog! I believe that a wife's duty is to be submissive (which is actually supportive, and so many don't have issues with the word supportive lol) I loved the replies to the poster's that wanted to "bow out." I won't be bowing out, but avidly waiting for more posts :) Thanks for such a wonderful blog site!!

Anonymous said...

Excellent way with words and good for you for addressing these tough issues.

I pray people, including myself at times, could understand that ignoring the Truth will not make it go away. It only makes us numb and calloused - and quite hard for God to get in to a heart that is simply not willing to hear. :(

Lord, I pray even now that you break down the walls of our hearts and allow your Truth to pour in. Change us, from the inside out, even when it hurts. Help us cling to none but you and be reminded you are with us every step of the way. In Jesus' name...

Sarah Mae said...

To WhiteStone (the author of the comment that she deleted) - I agree with with my whole heart that a woman and her children should not stay under same roof as a physically or sexually abusive husband. Perhaps you didn't see all that I wrote, but I was trying to be as clear as possible about leaving that situation - just not divorcing. My understanding is that yes, God will allow you to divorce an adulteress man (we are under grace), but we should first try for reconciliation. I also agree that if a woman stays put while her husband abuses her children, she is just about as guilty as he is.

I hope I have cleared my position up for you a bit!

Alison said...

great replies, Sarah.:)

Deanna said...

Thank you for this series. I love it because it is so 'counter-cultural.' Not many people are willing to stand up and defend the Word of God and I thank you for doing it!

Erich and Jacquie said...

I just listened to today's broadcast from Focus on the Family and wouldn't you know the subject matter is The Woman's Role in Marriage by Dorothy Patterson. She is a Professor of Theology in Woman's Studies and is also a public speaker and an author. I thought it was great. Here is the link: http://listen.family.org/daily/A000002032.cfm

Larie Carlice Proverbs 27:19 said...

Very good with #4! Making that distinction of the lowercase "l" and capital "L!"

Everything else is great and I agree. I just think that submission has gotten a negative connotation because of those who take it out of context and also from those who abuse their authority.


Thanks again.

smooches,
Larie

Valerie said...

I think it is the word submission. In today's world I feel like a lot of women don't feel like they have to be submissive.

I haven't read everything you have written on this subject but I just wanted to comment.

Bobbi said...

You have chuzpah girl! Keep at it...I'm praying for ya! Smiles!!! Have a great weekend!

Bobbi said...

Okay...I looked it up...CHUTZPAH! You know...guts, nerves of steal, faith, strength, etc.

To quote Wikipedia-"non-conformist but gutsy audacity."

Reborn said...

It is interesting to me that commenter #2 feels mutual submission is biblical, but didn't want to participate in your blog until you are "done submitting". Mutual submission would still mean the woman is to submit at some point, and therefore this discussion could be helpful to those with that perspective as well, right?

Submission is really very, very close to biblical love in my opinion... patient, kind, longsuffering, unselfish, others-first (in this case, husband first?) mentality. Hopefully God will bless/has blessed me with a husband who will love me the same way in return, but that isn't my responsibility! I am only responsible for my own actions; therefore I love/submit to my husband regardless of his behavior (unless it's physically abusive) because that's what true love is! If my "love" for him is based on my judgement of how well he's loving me, it's not really love at all.

Jenni said...

Sarah,
I am soooo upset. A Catholic woman quotes an author who happens to be a pope and you refuse to listen to what he says because he is "just a man". Aren't the authors you quote "just men" too? Should they hold no weight unless they wrote scripture. To say a man who studied theology and scripture all his adult life and focused his whole life on it knows less On the Dignity and Vocation of Women than you is extremly prideful. Now I disagree with the author of the post on what the pope was saying and whole heartly agree with you that we should be submissive to our husbands and the Catholic church teaches that. Our husbands in turn should love us as Christ loves the church (He died for it.) But if our husbands don't love us as Christ loved the church, that does not excuse us from submitting except in the case of sin as you suggested. And this is Catholic Church (and Pope John Paul II's) belief.
But I will not be returning to your blog with out an apology for your insult to John Paul II merely because of the position he held.
That would make me very sad. It would also be helpful to me for you to explain why you discounted an author without reading his text. Because it sounded like you suggested that it wasn't worth your time.
Thanks and I hope to be a long time visitor.
In Christ's Peace,
Jenni

Sarah Mae said...

Jenni,

Looks like I did not communicate very well. I was not dismissing the Pope, I was simply saying that it was very difficult to read through and so I just gave up reading it. When I said "he is just a man" my point was the only truth there is comes from God and His Word. If Catholic theology lines up with what I'm saying, then why would I apologize to the Pope? He is just a man, along with Piper, and whoever else I just happen to respect. I am truly sorry if I have offended you.

Anonymous said...

Sarah Mae,

I too am a Catholic and completely agree with what you say! I'm still single (grr) but have long decided I will be submissive to my husband...keep up the good work and tell it like it is sister!

Rhonda

P.S.: While I have a great respect for our late pope, he was a bit wordy. Theology of the Body Explained by Christopher West is a great book explaining the teachings of Pope John Paul II on singlehood and marriage and has a great deal to say on this subject.

Anonymous said...

I meant I was out for the commenting. I intended to continue to follow your blog as I have for a long time, although I'm rethinking that at the moment. However, since you addressed me personally in your post:

In response to your suggestion that I sound angry, Sarah Mae, I guess I am angry. It angers me when men use scripture for their own gain, especially to violate the dignity of others, in this case women. (Remember, not that long ago there were "scriptural" supports for slavery.) It really angers me when women buy into it and further it.

And for the record, I have been at home all my married life, happy to cook dinner, do the laundry, raise and train the children, and create a home. My husband is a wonderful man, and there are plenty of times I "submit" to him, but that is out of a spirit of service to a person I love, and it has nothing to do with wifely submission. I am a person, trying in my humanly flawed way to love as selflessly as Christ. There are also times he defers to my preferences and opinions for the same reason. His opinion on wifely submission? His exact words were "pretty creepy".

Thank you to Jenni for summing up the entirely innappropriate and irrational response to my suggestion that Pope John Paul's work and thoughts were at least as valid as the posters here, or the writings of John Piper.

To respond to the idea that submission to one's husband is a Catholic principal, I would have to say that our priest actually went on at such length during our wedding mass about dying to ourselves,(as in BOTH of us) that people still bring it up ten years later. Further, in no Catholic literature I've ever read have I found the responsibility of total submission to fall on the wife's shoulders.

Sarah Mae said...

Anonymous - I am feeling so sad right now at how I have clearly hurt and offended not only my Catholic sisters, but others as well. My heart's desire was never to offend, but to affirm a beautiful truth that is found in the Word of God. Please allow me to respond to some of your critiques:

"It angers me when men use scripture for their own gain, especially to violate the dignity of others, in this case women. (Remember, not that long ago there were "scriptural" supports for slavery.)"

It angers me too. People twist scripture all the time, and many use it to manipulate and hurt others for their own gain. It is wicked. We, as Christians, are to love one another as ourselves and treat each as we would like to be treated. However, sin has corrupted the goodness of God's commands. We are to submit to one another, to strive towards selflessness, and to serve one another. We take on "roles" so that we can picture the Christ and His church. A husband is to sacrifice for his wife, to love her and present her as pure. He is to protect her, and even give his life for her, just as Jesus Christ did for us. We as women are to lovingly submit to his authority and trust God in doing so, just as the church is to submit to and follow Christ.

Oh, and the slavery thing - that was so twisted! Scripture does not advocate for what we think of when we think of slavery. But seeing as I'm already writing a book here in the my own comment section, I'll have to save that one for another time! :)

"the entirely innappropriate and irrational response to my suggestion that Pope John Paul's work and thoughts were at least as valid as the posters here, or the writings of John Piper." I am so sorry that I miscommunicated here. I never said, or even meant, that what the Pope had to say was not valid. Yikes! I was simply saying that it was difficult for me to read through...and very long! Piper is just easier to read! Men are just that, men. Ultimately our source of truth MUST come from scripture.

One more thing (whew!) total submission does not fall on the wife's shoulders. We are to submit to one another in love. In that, however, we take on different roles. I think I've already explained that above.

Please please please know that I am trying to speak with a spirit of humility.

Jenni said...

Sarah,
Thank you for your amazingly sincere apology. I would like to say more but I am just getting on briefly. I actually would love to have a conversation on authority at some point. That would be interesting, but know I will be back and I am so glad that you are such a gracious and concerned "host". May God continue to bless you and your ministry.

Anonymous said...

"One more thing (whew!) total submission does not fall on the wife's shoulders. We are to submit to one another in love. In that, however, we take on different roles."

And I agree entirely. What exactly that should look like I think we may differ a bit on. But we all strive for the life we feel salvation in Christ calls us to. So...
It's my turn to apologize if I seemed overly argumentative or angry in my comments. There are so many ways God's design for marriage, and the complimentary natures of male and female, have been perverted to create relationships that are unhealthy, ungodly, and unjust and that has made it a loaded subject. Kudos to you for tackling it. I feel so strongly that marriage done right is so beautiful, truly the reflection of Christ and his Church, that topics like this can really get me going. I apologize, I was not looking for a fight, my tone was unnecessary.

And, I will write no more novels in your comments section, I promise!

Sarah said...

Oh, sweet Sarah, I am praying for you tonight. I think this must be a tough day for you. You are appreciated for your mentorship (through blogging) and fellowship. Most of us know where your heart is in this and agree with it. Thanks for challenging us to be better wives. I know it's hard to respond to criticism, not wanting to come across as defensive, but you've done a good job responding humbly and lovingly. I hope that we as believers can put minor disagreements behind us, as it's so ineffective for God's Kingdom. LOVE!

Still Waters said...

Sarah Mae,
Just wanted to say KUDDOS to you for being such an awesome witness of transparency, graciousness & gentle exhortation/encouragement! In this twisted fallen world, the only thing that will keep getting flustered by what we see AND from falling into the same mindset, is daily being infused in the Bible and committing it to memory. Keep the foundational biblical accountability coming!
Luke 6:47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Keowdie said...

Sarah,
I appreciate the gentle way that you are standing by your convictions. This whole idea is new to me, and I'm struggling with it a bit... I think that maybe you are saying that both partners in a marriage should submit to each other, but that you are really dealing with how that looks for the woman because, after all, this is a blog written by a woman, for women. Certainly, you are not suggesting that I, as a wife, should submit to my husband without him "giving" anything in return?

As for the issue of abuse, I have to disagree with you. As someone who has lived with verbal/emotional abuse, and witnessed the verbal/emotional and physical abuse of someone very close to me I think you're way off base. While the physical abuse does pose an immediate threat to a person's physical safety, I really think that ongoing verbal/emotional abuse is just as bad. I don't think that any person, whether she is married or not, should ever have to endure daily abuse of any kind. The scars of physical abuse heal and fade over time, but the mental and emotional scars of abuse (all kinds) stay with a person forever. Perhaps one has to live in that situation in order to fully understand the damage that can be done in a very short period of time.

I think that when you say a wife should submit to her husband,EXCEPT into sin, you should also recognize the fact that abuse IS a sin. And that God would not ever want one of his precious daughters to live, trapped every day in a home where she is belittled, insulted and otherwise treated badly. Not to mention the fact that when a man is verbally abusive to his wife, he frequently behaves the same with his children. Are you suggesting that a wife should continue to remain in that relationship, simply praying for help? I'm not saying we should place limits on God & what He can do, but sometimes, God wants us to help ourselves.

We can pray and wait for God to work in the hearts of our husbands, but our husbands have free will, and sometimes that means they choose to continue abusive behaviors. When that happens, I think a woman needs to pray and listen, and sometimes, save herself (and possibly her children). It is difficult and guilt-evoking enough for a woman to make that choice, without being told by others that she is wrong (and failing to abide God's Word) to walk away from an abusive situation.

Loren said...

Sarah Mae,

I am in awe of your humility, your grace and your boldness all in one. This is an godly example of a woman who is led by the Holy Spirit and has truly heard the heart of the people and by the grace of God washed it all with the Word of God. Submission to authority is an issue in so many areas and certainly each woman will have their own "filters or perspectives," in which they will speak from. But in the end if we allow the Holy Spirit to speak to each of us I think we know in our hearts if we are truly submitting in the way we should, and if we aren't then I would just encourage those who may have anger or other issues within themselves to ask the Lord to allow those things that are hidden to come into the LIGHT so that they may be healed. It may be a "father" issue, or it may be some other male issue that keeps us from submitting and truly having the relationship with our spouse that God sooooo desires for us to have. One thing I can say is this....if these posts have caused any of you to have a "button pushed" within then spend some time seeking the Lord as to WHY? WHAT is it and where is the root of that why....When we seek and ask, the Lord will lead and guide us into to all truth and healing will take place if only we will allow it!
Blessings to you all and thankyou Sarah Mae for you loving women so boldly and calling us to be as Christ so lovingly taught us to be.

Jenni said...

I have an aside. It is in the form of a question. Sarah Mae you said, "Ultimately our source of truth MUST come from scripture." Why?

Muthering Heights said...

Wow, Miss Sarah Mae, I'm very impressed by the grace with which you are handling this "hot" topic! I can tell that you have been prayerful about your posts and responses to the comments! :)

Unknown said...

Wow! Good job Sarah Mae! Love your post, but even more - I love how you responded in the comments. The Lord has blessed you with the right words to say and in such a gracious manner. I would not do as well no matter how hard I tried!

I will pray for the Lord to continue to give you words to respond (especially as I see there is more for you to respond to and I will let YOU do it!) and I will pray for Him to give you rest and strength. I know this must be mentally exhausting for you - I am feeling a little tired just reading through everything and processing it all.

Thanks for your willingness to take us on this journey with you.

Have a beautiful and blessed weekend my friend! :)

Robin said...

Wow, I take a few hours from checking your blog and you have been BUSY!
I want to praise the Lord for you right here and now! You are pointing everyone back to the scriptures to find the answers to these tough questions. Why look to scriptures for answers, because it is THE WORD OF GOD!!!
Yes, sometimes when we read His words they are hard to swallow and we struggle with submitting to His word, but when we quit fighting against His word and submit to His authority over our lives there comes a peace which surpasses all comprehension.

Now, I am off again to go celebrate a godly, submissive daughter's graduation! Woo Hoo! She has been such a blessing to our family. Could I be so full of joy about this if she was rebellious towards her parents, probably not.

Have a blessed day!

Anonymous said...

As I am reading all of these comments, I was thinking to myself, isn't it great that we have the freedom to discuss, to challenge each other, and to work through together what the scriptures say? It is God's voice speaking to his children. How happy our Father in heaven must be when He sees his children talking together trying to figure out what He wants for us. He always wants what is best for us. God truly is love, yet He wants us to mature and maturity happens usually through trials. Ultimately, He wants us to love one another. So keep on loving and caring by communicating and being long suffering with one another.

Sarah Mae said...

Looks like I'm going to be writing another post (or couple of posts) on this subject...especially concerning abuse.

Jenni - I will answer your question in a post of its own.

Thank you all for your comments - clearly is a topic that needs to be discussed! :)

Anna said...

Keep it up! It's so good to be able to read about women standing up for submission (that seems like such a weird sentence) and encouraging others to do the same. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Wow! It looks like you have really hit the nail on the head with this series. All of these women who are taking such offense to what you are saying, are prime examples of feminism. May God bless you for writing on such a hard and controversial topic.

Anonymous said...

I thought what you said was well put and you made your point. I think the bottom line is listen to each other before making judgements. Who are we to judge someone else. I think they are short minded and only feel that they are right. In the end God is right, no matter how we feel. I think they took things way out of context and aren't truly christian women. My opinion personally.

Hallie @ Moxie Wife said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hallie @ Moxie Wife said...

Fascinating discussion!

Has your post been edited? I'm Catholic but I didn't see anything offensive. Though our beliefs differ on some issues, from what I've read so far, I completely agree with you on this one.

I applaud you for having the courage to write about these things. It's a hard topic but an important one. (I attempted to tackle it a bit myself here and here.)

Take care!

Anonymous said...

Robin & Lisa (chocolate)-

A rousing 'AMEN' to you both! Robin- I want, so much, for our 13 year-old to continue to grow, by God's merciful grace, into a submissive, supportive, Scriptural, lady and, perhaps, wife & mother. Hope the graduation was indeed a celebration for your family of all that God has done in your lives! :)

SarahMae - Keep up the good (Kingdom) work! (By and through HIS Spirit and grace). You have my prayerful support that you continue to stay close to the Cross and the Scriptures.

-HveHope

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Susan said...

I enjoyed reading this post, although the topic is bittersweet to me. I waited years to find my husband (I was 31, he was 35), and having been raised Christian, was all prepared to submit - whether or not it was the PC thing to do. BUT. I've come to feel quite diffently about submission. It's not fun, or easy, or enjoyable. I often wonder what it would be like if my husband were a "wonderful man," "supportive spouse,", etc. He has Aspgerger's Syndrome (unknown to me at the time of our marriage), which is on the high end of the autism spectrum. It renders him unable to understand emotions, or that anyone else's ideas other than his are valid. Trust me, although I "submit" as best I can, it's not easy when I'm constantly being corrected, told what I should watch on TV and read and even eat, told why I'm wrong about any number of things, etc. I guess/hope someday I'll know why this lot has fallen to me (and many others I'm sure; I DO know I'm not alone).