It's no secret that I live in a house full of boys. I had to name my dog the girl name I picked out before I knew having boys instead of girls was going to be our thing. My house is loud, smelly, crazy, and a whole lot of sweet. I don't understand what is going on most of the time. I grew up in a girl home and boys are just weird. But, I would not have it any other way. I love every single second of this wild crazy life with these stinky delightful little men.
Last week I needed prayer. I was headed into something big (well, big for me) and needed someone to pray over me. Scott was working from home so I asked him to pray before I left. As I listened to his words as he prayed, I couldn't help but praise God and thank Him for the words my husband was speaking over me. They were sweet, kind, loving, and full of encouragement. His words gave me strength when I was a little bit nervous. I valued him in that moment more than ever before just because of his simple little prayer.
As a woman, I have been taught to be strong. I was always told I could do whatever I put my mind to. I never felt limited by my gender. I always felt empowered and that I would not let a man get me down. No one ever said this to me directly. Instead, I believe there is a societal undertone for the girls to prove they can beat the boys. Because of this, I do not always value the words of men. It's not that I completely scoff at anything a man says. Instead, I may take their words flippantly or with a lack of merit from time-to-time. I was wrong.
I watched a video of a female Bible teacher. She brought her husband on to describe his experience with the topic she was discussing. He said something that struck me. They were talking about how she comes to him with big dreams and lots of emotions. He told her he was intimidated by this when they were first married. He was intimidated because he felt it was his responsibility to fulfill her dreams and there was no way he was going to be able to fulfill them all.
We don't realize how much the men in our lives want to give us. We don't know the hidden sacrifices they are making daily for us. We don't understand the pressure they feel to lead us and our families. In turn, we lose sight of their value and the value of the words they speak.
I believe there is a healthy balance between being a strong woman and valuing the words, opinions, and actions of the men in our lives. We were created for one another and I think we work much better in tandem as a team rather than competition. I love when I feel Scott lead me. It makes me feel safe and like I can tackle whatever it is that is before me. I feel that much stronger when I know I have him rooting for me on the sidelines. His words, my sons' words, matter and have value to me. I want them to know that.
We all have value. We all have a place in this world. We need each other. I want my boys to grow up respecting women encouraging them to be all that God has designed them to be. I also want my boys to know that they have value in this world and their words matter. I will listen to them and respond with love, kindness, and encouragement not a cutting response. When my husband comes to me with work stuff, family stuff, or a big decision for our family, I will listen intently because I value his words. Because, in the end, we all need each other.
"for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God" 1 Corinthians 11:7
Love & Blessings,
Meg
Last week I needed prayer. I was headed into something big (well, big for me) and needed someone to pray over me. Scott was working from home so I asked him to pray before I left. As I listened to his words as he prayed, I couldn't help but praise God and thank Him for the words my husband was speaking over me. They were sweet, kind, loving, and full of encouragement. His words gave me strength when I was a little bit nervous. I valued him in that moment more than ever before just because of his simple little prayer.
As a woman, I have been taught to be strong. I was always told I could do whatever I put my mind to. I never felt limited by my gender. I always felt empowered and that I would not let a man get me down. No one ever said this to me directly. Instead, I believe there is a societal undertone for the girls to prove they can beat the boys. Because of this, I do not always value the words of men. It's not that I completely scoff at anything a man says. Instead, I may take their words flippantly or with a lack of merit from time-to-time. I was wrong.
I watched a video of a female Bible teacher. She brought her husband on to describe his experience with the topic she was discussing. He said something that struck me. They were talking about how she comes to him with big dreams and lots of emotions. He told her he was intimidated by this when they were first married. He was intimidated because he felt it was his responsibility to fulfill her dreams and there was no way he was going to be able to fulfill them all.
We don't realize how much the men in our lives want to give us. We don't know the hidden sacrifices they are making daily for us. We don't understand the pressure they feel to lead us and our families. In turn, we lose sight of their value and the value of the words they speak.
I believe there is a healthy balance between being a strong woman and valuing the words, opinions, and actions of the men in our lives. We were created for one another and I think we work much better in tandem as a team rather than competition. I love when I feel Scott lead me. It makes me feel safe and like I can tackle whatever it is that is before me. I feel that much stronger when I know I have him rooting for me on the sidelines. His words, my sons' words, matter and have value to me. I want them to know that.
We all have value. We all have a place in this world. We need each other. I want my boys to grow up respecting women encouraging them to be all that God has designed them to be. I also want my boys to know that they have value in this world and their words matter. I will listen to them and respond with love, kindness, and encouragement not a cutting response. When my husband comes to me with work stuff, family stuff, or a big decision for our family, I will listen intently because I value his words. Because, in the end, we all need each other.
"for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God" 1 Corinthians 11:7
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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