Sing it, Brenda!

Brenda Lee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jiwZCskgNE 

Are they still saying that we can have it all? Job, career, family... Because if they are, I have a thing or two say to “them.” Whoever they are.

I never gave much thought to feminist issues until I became a mother... and saw first hand what mothers go through. I was raised in the 70s, and there was lots of feminism floating around – the idea that we girls could grow up to be anything... even the President of the United States! Well, no one likes to be limited, but I can tell you it was a relief to me when I realized that, while I CAN be POTUSA, I don’t HAVE to! It just sounded like too much responsibility for me.

I was single for a long time – like Mary Tyler Moore or That Girl! — so I only had to take care of myself, which I know now, was a piece of cake! But now, I feel for women all over the world, and all the things that are expected of them...  

I am not complaining, just observing. It’s not new... Proverbs 31 outlines the qualities of a “good woman.” Look it up. If you’re a woman, it’ll make you tired just reading it. The woman it describes, well, she’s trusting, generous, never spiteful, an early riser, a shrewd shopper, a smart businesswoman, a hard worker, helpful, charitable and keeps her  man’s reputation in the town spotless. She runs a tight ship, working from dawn ‘til dusk, but still manages to be a good conversationalist and design and make her own clothing. And she has strength, dignity and fear of the Lord. 

A t-shirt you can actually buy...
but I'm not sure why you would.
It would be a lot to live up to.

Well, I can tell you right now, out of those qualities, I have maybe... a couple — on a good day! There are plenty of days that I feel lucky to go from dawn to dusk without slapping somebody!

I guess the modern day equivalent would be a woman who could, as they say, bring home the bacon and proceed to fry it up in a pan, never letting her dude forget he’s a man... (ENJOLI!) It’s a little depressing... not a bit unlike looking at a leggy, airbrushed fashion model in a magazine who, in the interview says, “I NEVER diet or exercise...”

This chapter of the book of Proverbs is described as “the sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.” Well, I don’t know who King Lemuel was, but his mother sure gave him some impossible expectations for whatever poor woman he married. We can only hope she was merely recommending a wise, industrious wife over a pretty, idle wife.

I notice 1. the chapter begins with: “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” So women matching the following description must be few and far between. And 2. the chapter ends with: “...a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

I like this because I think that far too often the work of women goes unnoticed. I know women who barely sit down all day, women who keep the world of their home spinning like Meadowlark Lemon spun a basketball. Some make it look easy (not me, but some women!), but I know how hard they are working... 

I don’t really know where I am going with this, only to say... If you are one of these women who is busting her hump trying to keep it all together... well, I feel for you. Way to go! Well done you! And if you know a woman like this... appreciate her. Out loud.