Skip to main content

Woman

I wasn't going to blog about this. It somehow feels deeply personal, though it isn't really. It isn't yet a complete thought in my head, it is still messy and scrambled. Writing sometimes helps...and sometimes doesn't. Consider yourself warned!

My dad has this great "mission statement" for his life. He works hours on getting the meaning right, to sum up what he believes into a great statement that encapsulates his life. I love the order of that, the neatness, the ability to bring every other choice under this one statement. I have yet to be able to achieve the same.

First, a little bit of theology. This is my thoughts, and I am in no way saying it is "truth" or that you must subscribe to what I think, but I feel a little clarification is necessary before I move on. God created man in His own image. But He didn't stop there, he went on to create woman too, also in his image. He made us different, yet both in HIS image. There is something divine in femininity. I believe one of the ways I am in the image of God is I am created to be a life giver.

In the very root of who I am is the role of woman, a reflection of the divine. Weather or not a woman is also a mother, in the very core of who she is, she is able to give life. God did that, gave us this amazing roll in humanity that men will never truly be able to understand. I believe it speaks to more than reproduction.

I have lately been caught up in the idea of God as love. So often I feel like the idea of love is misconstrewed in our culture as something that is fuzzy and feel good, when that simplicity is not at all who God is. Some how I feel like saying "God is the life giver" brings a little more clarity to His character.

Giving life is painful. It requires giving of yourself to a level so deep it requires healing. God did that, out of love, for us. As women, we do that. From birthing children to working hard to build a loving relationship with our husband, we give life and it causes us pain. When we choose to put others needs before ours, we pour life into a relationship, our love costs.

This isn't a call out to all women to martyrdom. There is nothing life giving about a "woe is me" attitude or self sacrifice for the sake of "holiness". It is a call to live a life bigger than avoiding being uncomfortable. Do your choices honor the very root of who you were created to be as a reflection of Gods life giving nature? Do my words breathe life into my relationships? Do I cultivate a home environment that encourages love or do I cause conflict?

I may or may not ever come up with a great life mission statement, but if I did it would have to reflect who I believe I was created to be, a reflection of my creator.

Comments

Sarah said…
Hi Gretch, I think these are great thoughts, and wonderful that you can have such a clear view of one of the ways that you can be a reflection of God to others.

So important to realize the true power (good and bad) you can have on determining the direction of your family and relationships; and the sacrifice that some times requires.

Love you!

Sarah

Popular posts from this blog

Working on my Domestic Goddess Badge

I looked at the to-do list I made last week and am happy to say I can cross off almost everything on it. It only took me 2 weeks. I think I either need smaller lists or more time. Here is what I have been up to: -I have made 2 loaves of banana oat bread, 1 batch of blackberry strawberry freezer jam, 1 loaf of gluten free bread. -From 12 juiced grapefruit I made grapefruit curd and a pan of grapefruit bars. -My garden is almost completely done, including a upgrade in size. I am growing tomatoes, onions, peppers, potatoes , cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower , herbs, lettuce, spinach , green beans, snap peas, cucumbers, and kohlrabi. -I hung herbs to dry -I have folded massive amounts of laundry...with more yet to do. All washed with my homemade laundry soap. -I recovered the "green monster" which is another post entirely. -I added a sitting area in my bedroom, where I am currently sitting, so that my laptop has a home other than the kitchen table. - I got a new dining room table a...

The Counter

Matt meets a lot of interesting people in his line of work. Most recently he spent some time in LA with Andy Lichit, producer of "Water World" and "Cable Guy". Apparently, Andy is not only into movies, but food too. He has a restaurant in Park Meadows area called "The Counter". He called the manager here and told him that Matt and I would be coming in and to comp our dinner. So we called our favorite baby sitter (Thanks FAITH!) and went for a great meal sans kiddo's. The Counter is an up-scale design your own burger joint. We ate some fabulous burgers and enjoyed some grown up conversation. Not a bad way to end a weekend.

Happy Birthday Addilyn Joy!

Addilyn, Happy birthday, big girl! I love your laugh, your zest for life, your need to move. I love that you want to be a donut on Halloween and have a rainbow birthday party, your drummer has a beat all it's own and I can't wait to see where it leads you as you grow. Your eyes have a sparkle, both joyous and mischievous. You keep me on my toes, are always ready to snuggle or get in a tickle fight. You have an uncanny ability to trash clothing, spill milk, run into objects and make everyone in a room smile. With a dialect all your own, you love to chat as you help me in the kitchen or follow me as I straighten up. Content to play quietly by yourself or follow Eliana's lead in a game of pretend, you do such a good job watching out for your little sister. I am so pleased with the little girl you are becoming, God is going to do such cool things with your life. I count my blessings for every day I get to spend as your mommy, watching your zest and spice for life reminds me to ...