On The Other Side Of The Garden

Well, my Bible Study at the YMCA based on a book called "Biblical Womanhood: On The Other Side of The Garden" officially ended yesterday, so I snapped a picture of my friends, Ms. Carolyn, Elizabeth and Stacie. This study has been such a blessing in my life, and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to attend and that Elizabeth chose to teach this course.

The study centered on how we can live out being a biblical woman in today's society. So much of what is biblical is extremely counter-cultural and offensive to many women. Yet, as you study more in depth, you begin to realize the truth of who we were created to be as women, and that truth is truly freeing and liberating! Being my husband's helpmeet is a great privilege given to me by my Maker, and I am so thankful to be walking in the light of this knowledge.

One important part of our study focused on how being a helpmeet does not mean that there is one cookie-cutter pattern to becoming a "good" wife or mother. The Lord has given us to our respective husbands who all have their own weaknesses and strengths. Where one wife is called to be a helpmeet to her husband, another is called in a different area or way. It is important for each of us as wives to seek the Lord on how we can best be a helper to our husbands. It is wise to ask our husbands what we can do for them to help them. For example, one husband needs a great deal of help with taking care of the finances of a home. Another is a whiz at finances, yet needs help disciplining the children. We are wise not to compare ourselves to other women and to think that we must live up to someone else's standards.

Having said that, we are clearly to help our husbands become the men God created them to be, and they cannot do that unless we step into the God-ordained role of helper. We can actually become a hindrance to them by our attitude and actions. In the eyes of God, we are one, and my husband's calling is also my calling in this world for God's kingdom and glory. No matter how much society may tell us otherwise, let us step into our beautiful roles with joy, knowing that our God is glorified when we live our lives according to His Word.