The Women

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Prov 31:30

I’ve talked a lot so far about my Dad and Grandfather, but my Mom has already cropped up as well. Several other ladies also play a prominent part in my life and so, will also be making appearances throughout the course of this endeavor. As I am still in an introductory mode, I thought it best to acknowledge their contributions as well as intro them up front.

My Mom is a Home Economics teacher though she put her career on hold while my sister and I were little. She once worked as an advisor on a call-in gardening hotline, coached several students to first place finishes in various national fashion design competitions, and has rendered medical aid to me on countless occasions while I growing up.

My Father’s Mother (Grandma) was an amazing woman as well. Her childhood was fascinatingly retold in her memoirs “Grandma Was a Baby Too”, a riveting tale about growing up in the West during the depression. She was an accomplished writer; also a pianist, teacher, devoted wife and mother, and she enjoyed a good joke. She cooked us dinner every Friday night while my folks went out on a “date” (I’m pretty sure they just stayed home, ate ice cream and enjoyed an hour or so without kids around). She was the most joyful person I have ever met, even through chemo and up until her death, she was filled with joy; joy of a life spent in Christ’s service.

My sister had a role to play as well. While I viewed it differently at times while growing up, the lenses of history clear reveal most often: she was the protagonist and I the villain. That’s not to say we didn’t collaborate at times or were particularly antagonistic towards one another (I guess the same amount as any typical brother and sister). We had a good time growing up, and connected much better once she went off to college. She is now a wife, mother, librarian, and frequent phone/text companion to the next lady on my list…

Last, but in no way least: my lovely Wife. An incredible lady, mother of our 3 boys, and patient indulger of my crazy schemes; she has accompanied me around the world, endured numerous deployments, and still lets me go on the occasional fishing excursion. In and amongst her busy schedule she still finds time to lead women’s Bible studies, knit blankets and scarves and whatnot for various charities, and volunteer in various church activities. I’m not sure how she does it all, but I’m glad she does!

And so, the title of the post is in no way meant as a pejorative, just as the blog title is not meant as an exclusion. As I continue to think and write about the spiritual influences that shaped my life from a patriarchal perspective, I will continue to reference the women who shared their lives with those men, and in doing so, shaped mine.

"In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman." 1 Cor 11:11