True Femininity

 

There is an idea that being feminine is all about soft velvet hands thanks to a high end hand lotion.  On top of that, you may add the long fake nails--are those things still around?-- and make up galore.   Or, many would resort to flowery wall paper, frills all around the house, pink carpet and doors.  I am serious, I have been in houses like these.  But is that truly being a feminine woman.

A housewife may refrain from doing any "heavy duty" work that's to be done around the house.  I know some wives who won't take the trash out or wash the car because, "that's my husband's job", they would say.  Others say, "it's your turn to change the baby", "give me a break".  I have also met others who make their husbands cook for them.   I've even heard women making their poor husbands who come home from a stressful day at work take over the baby and change diapers.  A patient, loving Dad and husband would comply willingly to all these requests thinking it is only his fair share.

Since my husband has had a home business for a few years now.  Women tell me, "Oh, that's nice, he helps you with the kids and around the house."  Well, actually, No.  He doesn't help me.  I help him!  This involves everything, from cooking, to teaching the children, to keeping the home.  This is his family I have been called to help him educate, raise, train, and feed.

I certainly appreciate when my husband helps me willingly and very naturally, but don't expect him to.  With our four children, my husband is not hesitant to help feed one mouth when I'm feeding another for example.  I am learning to be careful that I help him more than he helps me.  When he is home, I want it to be a pleasant atmosphere of rest, peace and joy.  Especially, as men carry the  responsibility of guiding and sustaining the family.  I have seen the burden and I am glad I am not in his shoes. Thus, I'm extra careful he is not burdened by the mundaness of the home.  I want home to be inspiring, good food, worship, joyful children, loving wife.  I try to learn how to fix things around the home the way he fixes things, so we can spend more time together.

Women in the past worked the fields, washed in the rivers, made many things from scratch and loved their husbands and children.  Many of them hugged and caressed their loved ones with hard working rough hands full of love.  That is being feminine: helping our husbands in whatever he needs us to do to carry out God's call on his life.