Get a load of this:
I am reading Fascinating Womanhood by Helen Andelin, and it got me thinking.
I know from personal experience that a lot of women don't know how to be the wives that God intends for them to be, and also that men don't know how to be the husbands God intends for them to be. Because of the need for some to learn what God intends for them to do to be better wives and husbands, I thought this would be an informative and interesting topic to discuss.
To start the discussion, I will share what I am reading right now in my book:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Masculine and Feminine Roles
Man's Role:
Guide
Protector
Provider
Woman's Role:
Wife
Mother
Homemaker
The masculine and feminine roles, clearly defined above, are not merely a result of custom or tradition, but are of divine origin. It was God who placed the man at the head of the family when He told Eve, "Thy desire shall be unto thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." The man was also designed to be the protector, since he was given stronger muscles, greater physical endurance, and manly courage. In addition, God commanded him to earn the living when He said, "In the sweat of thy face shall though eat bread, till thou return to the ground." This instruction was given to the man, not to the woman. (Genesis 3:16, 19).
The woman was given a different assignment, that of helpmeet, mother, homemaker. In Hebrew the word helpmeet means as before him. This dispels the notion she was an afterthought. It was clearly understood that she was created to be his equal. In Fascinating Womanhood we apply the word helpmeet to mean the role of the wife as she offers understanding, encouragement, support, and sometimes help. Since she is biologically created to bear children, her role as a mother is unquestioned. Her homemaking role is assumed: She must nurter her young and run the household, to free her husband to function as the provider. (Genesis 2:18).
The masculine and feminine roles are different in function but equal in importance. In Henry A. Bowman's book Marriage for Moderns he compares the partnership of marriage to a lock and a key which join together to form a functioning unit. "Together they can accomplish something that neither acting alone can accomplish. Nor can it be accomplished by two locks or two keys. Each is distinct, yet neither is complete in and of itself. Their roles are neither identical nor interchangeable. Neither is superior to the other, since both are necessary. They are equally important. Each must be judged in terms of its own function. They are complimentary."
Continuing - reply to a post....
My husband does most of the yard work...cutting down trees, mowing the lawn...things that take muscle. When I try to do it, it is too easy to hurt my back or make me too tired to do the jobs I am to do around the house. Men are built stronger, and even though some women may be able to do the tougher jobs, it makes our husbands feel like they aren't needed in the home. I want my husband to feel wanted, for him to know that I do need him. Him feeling unneeded is not something I would ever want him to feel. I do the inside-the-house stuff, and the weeding outside, but leave the rest of the outside work up to him.
I have been a homemaker my entire marriage. I have stayed home and raised our children. When they are at school, I use that time to do housework, study, am available in case the school calls because one of the kids are sick, and I have the time to handle trips to the vet for our pets, shopping, errands, doctor's appointments for myself and the kids, plus do homework with the kids. We have struggled financially because I don't work, but it is a sacrifice we agreed was worth it for me to take care of the home. When we moved from California to Michigan, my husband took a huge paycut, but he said he will get a 2nd job to pay the bills. I support him as much as I can, by taking care of the home and the kids, and he never has to worry about anything at home since I'm here. This has been the best decision we have ever made, and our children love having a Christian home, and my daughter knows what is expected of her when she is grown and married, and my son is learning what will be expected of him when he is married with a wife and children to support and protect. My husband has said that he never wants me to work outside of the home, unless it is something that I want to do, like working at the church or volunteering somewhere. When we first married, I worked as a substitute secretary at our church while the regular secretary was on medical leave. A couple of years ago, I worked in the church nursery because they needed help on Tuesday mornings for Women's Bible Study for a few months. I found both of those jobs very satisfying, and they didn't take away from my jobs at home. I am very satisfied with being a homemaker, and have never desired working outside of the home, because I see the benefits to our family having me take care of the things I am biblically to do. I don't see being a homemaker just jobs to help our family...I am also doing my jobs for God, because this is what He has instructed me to do. I see it as a form of worship to Him.