Additional thought! In Proverbs 31, God goes into great detail about how a wife and mother could be a great mover and shaker in the community at the time of Solomon, nine hundred years before Christ:
10
"A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
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Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
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She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
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“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
manning5 wrote:
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A fine sentiment that woman wrote! Admirable!
This subject hits too close to home! I watched my wife struggle with the twin desires to have a career and a marriage with children. She supported me in my journeyman path through several cities and into Europe, sacrificing her best chance for a degree in psychology to go with me to Holland for 10 years.
The problem seems to be that if you are given intelligence, even what seems to be a bit more than your share, you want to use it in a broad and meaningful context, make a splash, be somebody, and garner the kudos you need, I guess. And contrasting that with the daily routine at home, which is not all roses by far, the choices are not for the fainthearted.
The "Is this all that there is, and all that it is ever going to be?" syndrome is very much in evidence. Sadly, God is not there!
===================== br A fine sentiment that wom... (
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