RLB has decided our weekend movie with the kids will be Doctor Zhivago. I can't stand the movie. I want to jump through the screen and strangle the limp-wristed Zhivago. But I know why we'll watch it. The lesson of the movie is in the character Komarovsky and that is the lesson RLB will teach our children this weekend.
Once again I am thankful God has provided a husband for me who embodies all that I lack. I have no need to fret or worry. As he has for the past 18 years, RLB will lead our family in the way we should go. His task is daunting in my eyes. But as I saw last night it is nothing he can't handle. I am in awe of his calm and steady leadership.
Even more admirable is the ease at which RLB takes on the responsibility of leading our son. He is coming of age and will soon be charting his own course and leading his own family. Few things are as beautiful to witness than a son drinking in all of the wisdom his father generously pours out to him. I know, as do our children, that RLB is in complete submission to God. We see him pray. There is no greater security that he could give us.
As for me, I will continue to undergird the ship. I will "select the wool and flax" and "work with eager hands." I will "set about my work vigorously, my arms are strong for my tasks. I will see that my trading is profitable and my lamp will not go out at night." I will "watch over the affairs of my household and will not eat the bread of idleness." (Proverbs 31)
My roles and responsibilities have been constant throughout time. I will not leave my post. I will never abdicate my position. This my husband can be sure of.
My desire is to inspire other women to come back to this most worthy calling. I will continue on tirelessly, my work is not in vain.
Therefore,
since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us
throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:1-3
I can say that even as young as Eva is I know I am doing something right. Last night at supper shewent went down the daily list of "things we do" which included cleaning, sweeping and mopping, dishes and making dinner for daddy. I know that the best way to teach my child is by example. It is really a beautiful thing.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen Dr. Zhivago, but your first sentence reminded me of the reaction DH and I both had to a horrible Netflix movie we recently watched called "ATM." Basic premise: two guys and a girl are "trapped" in an isolated ATM building because they're intimidated by a creepy guy standing around outside. It became apparent pretty early on that the creeper didn't even have a weapon. We couldn't understand why these three prefectly healthy young people (especially the two guys) didn't just go out and take this guy out. I mean, there were THREE of them and ONE of him! About a quarter of the way through, we found ourselves rooting for the creeper because we were so disgusted by the wimpiness of the "protagonists."
ReplyDeleteSorry, kind of off topic, I know...but I guess it contributes to a "side" point about the decline of "real" men in today's society and how that phenomenon is reflected in popular culture.
Oh, another movie that elicted the same response (but much more skillfully...I think the point WAS to make you root for the bad guys) was "Funny Games". The 10-year old kid was the only one of the victims who had any balls.
ReplyDeletebut I guess it contributes to a "side" point about the decline of "real" men in today's society and how that phenomenon is reflected in popular culture. - Northwoods
ReplyDeleteI've heard the phenomenon. I disagree with the reality of it. What I've observed is an excruciating plummet of females up for the challenge of being real women as the term is traditionally defined.
Perhaps one contributes to the other.
DeleteMen are responding, no doubt about that. How long should anyone listen to "I don't need you" before they say, "okay then, carry on with your own self." It's the gender equivalent of Atlas Shrugged.
ReplyDeleteBy no means does the timeline of societal change indicate that men initiated the decline of traditional roles.
"By no means does the timeline of societal change indicate that men initiated the decline of traditional roles."
DeleteNo, it doesn't seem that would have been in their best interests, does it? Though I suppose it could be argued that there have been some unforeseen benefits. Less control = less responsibility.
Again, we see this reflected in pop culture. Movies like "Stepbrothers" and so many others where grown men bumble around enjoying an endless adolescence. Of course "Stepbrothers" (and others) are comedies, but it's hard to argue against the fact that this formula works very well with today's audiences.
There is a rising trend for men to choose not to marry, marry foreign brides (not as steeped in feminism), or apply very rigid standards for the women they will marry. We're encouraging our son to choose the third option if at all possible.
ReplyDeleteThese are standards that I would have never qualified for at 19 when RLB proposed. But when we look at the attitude among young women today and the support women get from the courts and government to destroy their families, this has become the most important parenting issue we have. RLB spends more time on this single issue with our son than what career path he should choose.
As far as who has benefited from our societal changes it really can only be measured by "societal indicators." Anecdotes will prove nothing and there will always be outliers. I pulled some graphs on the post prior to this one that show some indicators of abysmal societal failure.
-Declining female happiness
-increased divorce rates
-increased single parent households
-increased poverty rates
-increased obesity
-increased dependency on prescription mood altering medication
-increased heart disease among women
-increased abortion rate
-decrease in church attendance (not just because of a cyclical ebb and flow from God but due to increased feminized teaching in the church.)
The list goes on and on. I'll be addressing all of these issues in time.
Do you ever listen to Dr. Laura? I think you and she would see eye to eye on a lot of things.
ReplyDelete