Life for young Christian ladies living in the 21st century can be
challenging. Many fiery arrows have been invented by the enemy that are
designed to destroy their courage, conviction, and commitment. These
arrows often come in the form of difficult questions that are prone to
cause confusion and doubt in the minds of young ladies who are seeking
to pattern their lives after biblical principles. While the questions
may be perfectly legitimate and sincere, yet many girls are not prepared
to answer them.
As I have traversed my teen years these questions have become more and
more common in my own life, and I have had to be diligent and attentive
in arming myself with appropriate answers.
We are all well familiar with the verse in 1 Peter 3 that extorts us to:
"...Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an
answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you
with meekness and fear." (emphasis mine)
Here are a few of my tough FAQ's, and the way I have learned to answer them:
Q: "Are you going to college? What!?!? Why not?" *in a tone of utter shock and disbelief*
A: In my opinion there are two very good reasons:
1. Traveling hundreds of miles away from home to attend college
would be removing myself from under my God given authority and
protection. My place as a single young lady is under my father's roof
until such a time as the Lord would provide a husband for me.
2. I do not see a formal college education as being necessary to
an excellent education. As a matter of fact, almost every subject a
girl may possibly wish to study can be learned quite effectively from
the realm of her own home. I have learned far more through practical
life experiences, interactions, projects, reading, writing, traveling,
etc., than I ever would in a public school setting. In fact, my seven
year old sister knows more scientific facts than your average adult just
from listening to the Jonathan Park (www.jonathanpark.com) audio
dramas!
*Note: Presently I am doing some studies online at www.speedyprep.com
(my brother introduced me to the site as he is using it in preparation
for his CLEP tests), and I have found it helpful. There are many other
similar sites that are available these days.
I love old books!
Q: "Why do you always wear skirts? Isn't that kinda old fashioned?"
A: Two reasons:
1. I want to present myself in a modest way, and I feel that pants inherently highlight and draw attention to parts of the body that should not be accentuated. Christian young ladies have a responsibility to care for their brothers in Christ and not dress in a way that might possibly cause them to stumble (yes, guys are responsible for their own thoughts and actions, but hey, it works both ways. They have plenty of temptations in the world all around them...why would we want to make it any harder on them?).
I Corinthians chapter 8 warns us against the spirit of flaunting our 'liberty' at the expense of our brothers and sisters in Christ. ("...Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak...when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.")
1. I want to present myself in a modest way, and I feel that pants inherently highlight and draw attention to parts of the body that should not be accentuated. Christian young ladies have a responsibility to care for their brothers in Christ and not dress in a way that might possibly cause them to stumble (yes, guys are responsible for their own thoughts and actions, but hey, it works both ways. They have plenty of temptations in the world all around them...why would we want to make it any harder on them?).
I Corinthians chapter 8 warns us against the spirit of flaunting our 'liberty' at the expense of our brothers and sisters in Christ. ("...Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak...when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.")
2. I want to present myself in a distinctly feminine way. When you dress like a lady people will treat you like a lady.
Smithe ladies in 2005...Smithe ladies in 2011
Q: "Your already 18. Why don't you have a boyfriend yet?"
A: Modern dating is a dangerous practice. When a young man and a young woman get together and form a romantic "relationship" independent from their parents with no established intention of marriage, it opens the door to a wide array of problems, impropriety, and heartache. I for one do not trust my own heart and know that I can easily make unwise decisions based on emotions. It's just not worth taking any chances, especially in regards to such a crucial, life defining issue as a future spouse. This is why I have chosen to entrust my heart to my father for safekeeping. He will be intricately involved in the decision making process when the right young man comes along, one who will seek to honor the Lord above all else. The joy will be all the sweeter for the wait!
Daddy's girls
Q: "What do you want to be when you grow up? A chef, an actress, a doctor.......................What?!?! Only a wife and mother?"
A: Is there a problem with that? A wife and mother is the most fulfilling, productive role I can imagine, not to mention that it is a biblical command ("That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:4-5; "So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander." 2 Timothy 5:14 ). Being a stay-at-home daughter (and someday a wife) does not mean that I have to be stupid, uneducated, or give up my "potential." In fact, the spectrum of possibilities available to me are endless. Take my mother for example. She is a teacher, interior designer, building contractor, and filmmaker (among many other things), all done from the realm of her own home and under her husbands authority. In addition, training up the next generation is one of the most important, history defining jobs in the world. Our lives are so short, and in the end earthly accomplishments will not mater much, but in our children lies the hope of the future. Training up souls that will live forever is a great responsibility and honor.
By the way, I have a question for you...why is it "socially acceptable" for a woman to be a public school teacher, nanny, or day care worker (which requires investing her entire day in the upbringing of other peoples children), yet it is somehow a curse when she chooses to devote herself to her own children?
A: Is there a problem with that? A wife and mother is the most fulfilling, productive role I can imagine, not to mention that it is a biblical command ("That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:4-5; "So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander." 2 Timothy 5:14 ). Being a stay-at-home daughter (and someday a wife) does not mean that I have to be stupid, uneducated, or give up my "potential." In fact, the spectrum of possibilities available to me are endless. Take my mother for example. She is a teacher, interior designer, building contractor, and filmmaker (among many other things), all done from the realm of her own home and under her husbands authority. In addition, training up the next generation is one of the most important, history defining jobs in the world. Our lives are so short, and in the end earthly accomplishments will not mater much, but in our children lies the hope of the future. Training up souls that will live forever is a great responsibility and honor.
By the way, I have a question for you...why is it "socially acceptable" for a woman to be a public school teacher, nanny, or day care worker (which requires investing her entire day in the upbringing of other peoples children), yet it is somehow a curse when she chooses to devote herself to her own children?
Q: "So, you're home-schooled? Do you find that you have a hard time relating to people in the real world?"
A: No, because I live in the real world! Actually, I think my parents have done an excellent job in training me to relate intelligently with people of all ages, and from all walks of life. That is one of the nice things about home-education. Because I am not shut up in a class room all day with peers my own age, I have many opportunities to interact with a wide array of people.
A: No, because I live in the real world! Actually, I think my parents have done an excellent job in training me to relate intelligently with people of all ages, and from all walks of life. That is one of the nice things about home-education. Because I am not shut up in a class room all day with peers my own age, I have many opportunities to interact with a wide array of people.
Preparing to deliver an oration
Q: "You come from a very large family (which is great and all), but don't you think you will wait for a few years after you get married to start having kids? Just to give yourself a little 'break' you know."
A: No way! I love being a part of a large family, and I can't imagine life without a house full of children (it would be pretty dull, that's for sure). The Bible says that children are to be welcomed and treasured, and should the Lord bless me with my own someday I will joyfully welcome as many as He chooses to send in His timing. ("And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28; "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5)
Who wouldn't want any of these (lots and lots and lots of them)?! :-)
