I didn't know much about it. My wife didn't think it was a good thing. She actually had to educate me on some of the things. What am I talking about?
It's was an idea that many celebrated ....called Women's Lib.
Yes, there should be equal rights for men and women ...such as the things that are fair and just. And yes, women had to suffer through things like women's suffrage. Though the haze started to settle over everyone, as is often the case, after the rights were given. A smoke screen of confusion prevented us from clearly seeing our way through general feminism, and radical feminism. It often brought not only a boldness, but also a crudeness.
What was gained through equality of being able to smoke cigarettes, or being able to go to a bar with male dancers ...instead of female? Why would we aspire to being equal in disgrace?
I understand the unfairness of having single Moms taking the majority of the responsibility ...and having to compete in many male dominated areas.
But, that seems to be the big difference with what was a short time ago, and what is the present rapidly growing trend ...the conflict of focus with rights versus responsibilities. We seem to think 'responsibility' is a bad word, and it can be wholly replaced by rights.
Men and women should have basic equal rights ...yet, that does not mean the responsibilities should be the same. Both firemen and police officers may work for the same municipality ...and they may want equal rights, in the way of benefits and pay, but their responsibilities are different. A fireman should not give traffic tickets, and a police officer should not investigate a gas leak. Not having the proper equipment, would lead to inefficiencies, such as, "I don't smell nothin', do you?".
Even if you don't work for the same municipality, you should realize we all are supposed to work for the same God. And God gave us different roles.
As I mentioned before, many single Moms moved into the work force out of necessity. And when they left the home for work, they usually dropped their kids off at the grandparent's house. But, that has become less with the mobility of the workforce ...and often no family living near to be available, so they've had to opt for the availability of daycare. This is all necessary, and the provision of it is often a lifesaver. Yet, also often is the fact that both parents work when they could live one one income ...and that requires someone else to a large extent raising their child. It is even being encouraged by our government to utilize this ...through increased programming of pre-schools.
I believe the major role of raising a child is naturally placed upon the highly esteemed title of "Mom". Of course, it seems even more natural to me, because I came from and have been a part of homes where the baby is not primarily bottle-fed.
When I became "Dad", I was celebrating that title ...loving the fact of a blessed child entering into our family, but I was not enthusiastically accepting the role of "head of the household". It is not easy to attempt to do it right ...considering I'd experience considerable failure. I know some who do enthusiastically assume that role, as there are always those who are more naturally good at things than others. But, sadly, some also look enthusiastically to abusing the role ...taking advantage, and mostly seeking self-fulfillment.
Often times it is frustrating, with seemingly multiple wrong ways ...and only one right way to do things. So, as not to aim to overwhelm, I'm only going to focus on two main wrong ways. One of those ways was mentioned in the last words of the last paragraph ...seeking merely self-fulfillment. And the other wrong way is what Solomon did, in trying to over-fulfill others.
Wife: "That car you got me broke down again. I've had it towed so many times, it's like riding in a rickshaw. Why can't you be more like Solomon? Last week he got his wife a brand new car."
Husband: "Which one?"
Wife: "That shiny red Camaro over there."
Husband: "No, I meant ...which wife?"
(The point I am trying to drive home, is whether it is preferred to be one of many wives with high style ...or to have the status of one who has her baby in a manger. Of course, there are many in-betweens, but if something is highly coveted, it should be in the form of genuine appreciativeness of your spouse ...not a show-and-tell display of your own value and worth.)
Seeking self-fulfillment and striving solely for this end ...could not solely affect your soul, but your whole mind and spirit. Lucifer was the first to experience this wrong as he attempted to put his throne above God. We should put nothing above God. Many people don't understand that if we put God first, we are raising the value on everything else that is good. Putting God before family, is actually doing better for our family ...but, of course, we are not to equate church activity with God. We often should put family before church activity.
The problem was, that Lucifer did not want to accept God as above him. I realized with my family, that I was to be in a provider, protector, leadership role ...as the 'head' of my family. Which brings me to the second point of over-fulfilling others. Is it possible to protect and provide too much?
Yes, we struggle at times the same way that Solomon did ...and I don't mean the multiple wives condition, a desire that everyone should resist if they've at all been led to that temptation. I mean, when Solomon was with his women, he did everything for them ...inclusive of erecting altars to their false gods.
We perhaps consider ourselves far removed from erecting altars ...yet, we erect ideas, desires, and strivings as we haphazardly prioritize our lives. We could also contemplate whether what we involve ourselves in, or what we don't involve ourselves in ...requires more assessment and consideration. We should always try to improve, but in doing so ...are we improving our comfort only? If we distance ourselves from less than desirable things, and decorate our ivory towers ...does that effectually change the world, or only our perception of it. And is it satisfying to perceive ourselves in contrast to others ...and consider ourselves blessed.
No disrespect to Solomon ...I am thankful for what he has taught us, and as God had him take his turn as king. The common man can benefit much from those who've gone the road, and mapped it out, also warning us of trouble spots. And with gratitude, the common man can sometimes see that better path, thanks to the works others have done to improve it. I could do much to improve my perspective, but that is my common error ...not in failing to strive to improve, but in enjoying what's around me, and sometimes taking my eyes off the road. But as common men go, I still strive to be a better man ...and with hopes to share what little I can with ideas. (http://songofstephen.blogspot.com/)
The main point here, is that we should not put ourselves, or others ---above our value of what God would have us do. And as married couples, or single parents ...we should teach our children also to put God first.
Some of you can see this as clearly as black and white ...and others find it not a problem to be reversed. I would like to find it to be the way God intended it to be.
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