Women and Men are Equals?

I've been reading a lot lately about patriarchy and women's rights and feminism, etc. I still have a lot in my brain to think about and a lot more I wish to read. But I had a bit of an epiphany the other day and thought I better write it down before I forget it! (Been forgetting things lately, old age seems to be creeping in).

Anyway, while I was thinking about God and whether He is really a He or is He a combo of a He and a She, seeing as the Bible says in Genesis 1:27:

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

How could God create a woman in his own image unless He also had some attributes of a woman?

In John 24 God is referred to as Spirit. While Jesus was referred to as a man, God is always referred to as spirit. Does a spirit have the attributes of a man, female or both, or none? If God is spirit, then how and why did He come to be known only as He?

There are so many passages in the bible where God takes on the attributes of women. He refers to birth pains (sorry men, only women have birth pains). He also talks of caring for children the way a mother does, Isaiah 66:13 -

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you;"

So anyway, these are things I have been thinking about and praying about which brings me to my epiphany. While meditating/praying on these things the other day, I came to the conclusion that women have been fighting the wrong battle. It is not for us to prove that we are like men to be equal. I don't want to be like a man. And I don't believe I am meant to be a like a man. I was born a woman and meant to be a woman. We can be equal but different. We don't need to be like men to be equal. We need to be respected as equals for who we are, not what we can change ourselves to be.

We were made in God's image just as men were. Not to be below, not to be above, but to be equal, to come alongside each other, for each other.

Believe nothing merely because you have been told it.
Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher.
But whatever, after due examination and analysis,
you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings -
that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide.

Buddha

The "Sisterhood"

I have been utterly shocked and disgusted with the response from some women in regards to John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin for vice president. I knew girls could be mean when I was in high school, but these are adults. Come on ladies, did you ever grow up?

I am a conservative woman. According to one “scholar” women who are conservative aren’t really women. I guess unless you are happy to murder your unborn children, you aren’t considered a woman in some camps. Isn’t it funny how they demand they have the right to kill their unborn children, but they don't think you should have the right to bear arms and defend yourself against someone who wants to do you or your family harm.

I guess I just do not understand the outrage. Isn’t feminism all about raising girls to be whatever they want to be? I used to believe that was what feminists were fighting for. My mom considered herself to be a feminist. She always told me and my sister that we needed to learn how to care for ourselves. We didn’t need a man to survive. My mom worked, full time, from the time I was about 4. I was put in daycare in NYC in 1972. I think it was one of the first day care centers open to the public. When we moved to Illinois, due to the transfer of my father within his company, one of the first things my mom did was get another job. I was a latch-key kid. I had an older brother and sister, but they were usually busy after school, so from 3rd grade on, I mostly came home to an empty house. But I could take care of myself. I knew how.

My mother also felt my brother needed to learn how to care for himself, so he didn’t treat a woman as a housekeeper. As soon as we could see the dials on the washing machine, we washed our own clothes. We learned how to cook for ourselves by age 8. We all got jobs as soon as possible. I was babysitting at 11 and cleaning offices by age 13.

Suffice it to say, my sister and I grew up knowing we didn’t NEED a man, and my brother grew up knowing he didn’t NEED a woman. We were self sufficient. The fulfillment of my mothers feministic dream. She raised her kids to be something she wasn’t. See, my mom married my dad at age 20. They dated since high school. She had my sister one year after her marriage, and my brother the next year after that. This was in the sixties, right when women were just getting their voice. She felt like she missed it. She wanted to be that bra burner, but she had two babies at home, and soon she had three (me). So she passed on her dreams to her children. Only we realized, or at least I realized, that her dream wasn’t reality. Feminists today are not the feminists of my mothers era.

It seems to me that all feminists care about today is abortion. Women must be allowed to kill their unborn babies. Under any circumstances. Babies are an inconvenience, a mistake. Girls shouldn’t be punished with mistakes, says Mr. Obama. If you don’t believe that, you can’t be part of their club. Nope, no conservative woman, who believes all babies are a gift from God could ever be a feminist. And if you happen to believe in that pesky savior, Jesus, and his teaching in the Bible, then you probably aren’t even a woman. No feminist woman could possibly believe in a a book written by men.

I was happy to see Hillary Clinton running for President. I certainly didn’t share her values or positions, but I did feel it was about time a woman had a chance to run for the highest office in our country. Many women around the world have already proven they have/had what it takes to lead : Margaret Thatcher, Indira Ghandi, Golda Meir, Benazir Bhutto, Angela Merkel, Mary Robinson and too many more to list.

Why is it that some women in this country keep saying “I wanted a woman to run (Hillary) but I didn’t want that woman (Sarah Palin)”. Pity, that as women we can’t just seem to support other women. We could agree to disagree and still be supportive. You can say to someone “Good for you, I applaud your accomplishments, but I don’t plan to vote for you, I don't share your views”. I think that is what many conservative women did in regards to Hillary. Sadly, the liberal women have all turned into attack dogs against Sarah. Guess their true colors are finally showing. It isn’t about supporting women, it’s about supporting their own selfish causes. And if a woman happens to be supporting their causes, hoorah. But if not, to hell with feminism and women's accomplishments, they'd rather take the man.

There is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women.

~Madeleine K. Albright~

Daughters

Ah, to be the mother of daughters.

My youngest took her first official step toward womanhood Thursday. And she is not happy about it. Suffice it to say, life has not been real pleasant in our house the last few days, LOL.

By some weird coincidence, actually my two daughters and I all ended up in the same predicament as of this past Thursday. Estrogen is flowing rapidly around here. I don't think I would want to be the only woman in a house containing 3 men full of Testosterone, so I can only imagine how my hubby feels living the reverse.

I was sitting around with my daughters late Thursday night and we were talking hormones and all those fun things women go through. I was explaining to my youngest how Estrogen is the female hormone. So my oldest chimes in with an oldie but a goodie: "If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests? Testicles!" LOL

Youngest daughter didn't get the joke, so I had to explain to her what testicles were. So of course then we started talking about boy anatomy. At this point dear husband comes up from the basement to go to bed (my daughters and I have the best conversations late at night before bed). Before he comes through the room, he says "Stop talking, I don't want to hear you, just let me go through and go to bed!". This made the girls laugh. Dad wanted nothing to with our conversation. So I yelled at him as he went past, "But we are talking about boy parts, your parts, you should join us!" I don't think so.

So, my babies are no longer babies. No matter how much we may resist, life moves forward. Youngest dear daughter has been resisting growing up since her body started changing. She is completely overwhelmed at the latest, biggest change. I only hope that time will bring her peace and acceptance with what her body can do. Women's bodies really are amazing. I would go through all the pain and aggravation of being a women 100 times over again, knowing it enabled me to give birth to the two beautiful daughters I have. 26 years of periods helped to bring two wonderful lives into the world. And hopefully someday it will enable my daughters to bring some wonderful lives into the world.

Of course, since my birthing days are over, I wouldn't really mind completely passing the torch to the younger generation and moving past this stage in my life. 26 years is long enough for me, thank you : )

Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure. But unfortunately, although it is true, it is difficult for us to accept it. Because we cannot accept the truth of transience, we suffer.

~Shunryu Suzuki~

Proverbs 31 Man?

If you are a Christian woman, I'm sure you have read Proverbs 31. Or have gone to a Bible study where they extolled the virtues of the Proverbs 31 woman. You know, the kind of Bible study where you went thinking you would be uplifted and came home only to feel even more inadequate.

In some Christian circles, the Proverbs 31 woman is a goal to be achieved. Women are told they must strive to be this woman. She is the supposed example of the "perfect" woman.

For those who don't know the verses, let me enlighten you:

The Wife of Noble Character
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Feel guilty and inadequate yet?

During a discussion about this and other "virtues" that some people think women should strive for, an online friend posted this:

(Written by and thanks given to Julie G.)

I always wondered why there wasn't a section that described the perfect husband in scripture. If it was supposed to be an actual "how to"...they need the help as much as we do! :-D

The perfect husband, who can find?

His worth is far beyond his 401K.
The feminine heart of his wife delights in him and she never lacks for passion and romance.
He maintains the home and yard - creating beds of roses to delight her.
He builds furniture and raises exotic trees for wood.
He owns several businesses and money flows into their home -more than they need, with plenty to share.
He is always in a good mood - even when he's hungry or tired.
He styles his daughter's hair, and plays sports endlessly with his son.
He is an avid shopper, who delights in endless trips to the mall.
Kindness and complements are always on his tongue - his wife's beauty inspires sonnets and love poems.
He rises in the quiet hours of the night to comfort a sick or crying child, without regard for his own sleep.
Late in the evening, he can be found kneeling in prayer at the bedsides of his sleeping children.
He maintains the physique of a 20yo, but loves like a man who is wise about women.
He is active in the community, and is respected by all.
He always has time for others, and yet it never seems to impact the time he has for his family.
He rises while it is dark and makes breakfast for his family before his own power breakfast.
His business contacts know him for punctuality, impeccable integrity and perfect wisdom in the ways of the market.
His children rest well, knowing they can go to whatever college they want.
His wife is also secure - she never sees the bills, but knows that everything is taken care of.
Many men father a family, but you, my noble knight, surpass them all.

I don't know about you, but that sounds like a pretty good blueprint for the Husband of Noble Character to me. Julie says her husband refers to her writing as the Proverbs 32 man. Think we can sneak it into the Bible?

What is a Fiery Woman

So it seems I have confused some people in regards to my calling myself a "fiery woman". No, I am not a red-head. (more on hair in another post : )

I did put some thought into the name of my blog actually. I tried to find a word that I thought fit the essence of me. Here are some definitions of fiery, (I am only including those that pertain to personality, not the ones that pertain to fire : ) I have also included some definitions of the words used to describe fiery.


From Webster's: 2. Vehement; ardent; very active; impetuous. 3. Passionate; easily provoked; irritable. 4. Unrestrained; fierce; mettlesome; spirited.

From American Heritage: Easily excited or emotionally volatile; tempestuous: a fiery temper. Charged with emotion; spirited: a fiery denunciation.

Synonyms for fiery: — fervent, vehement, spirited, impassioned.

Vehement: strongly emotional; intense or passionate: vehement desire.

Impetuous: of, pertaining to, or characterized by sudden or rash action, emotion, etc.; impulsive: an impetuous decision;

Fervent: having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc.;

Spirited: having or showing mettle, courage, vigor, liveliness, etc.

Ardent: Expressing or characterized by warmth of feeling; passionate: an ardent lover. Displaying or characterized by strong enthusiasm or devotion


So basically, instead of calling myself, spirited, passionate, fervent,impetuous or ardent, I decided to go with the one word that describes all those things. A lot of people may think of a fiery woman as a negative thing. Maybe they think she is mean, or bitchy, or bullheaded. And while some of that may be true in certain situations, as described above a fiery woman would also be impassioned, courageous, warm, and enthusiastic. Not bad traits to have.

I bet there are plenty of woman out there who are fiery. I think it's time for all the fiery woman to stand up and be proud of their fiery selves.