Proverbs 31: 30-31. Favour is beautiful and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her own works praise her in the gates.
What a beautiful sentiment! And ole Solomon should know about women. For much too long women have been considered second class citizens, mentally inferior to the most ignorant man, just because they’re women. But that’s … well, in a scriptural text, I guess I can’t use the terminology I really want to, so we’ll just say that it’s not true. It all stems from man’s macho, fearful, chauvinistic instinct of not being number one. Anyway, education wise, in terms of formal schooling, women were, until recently, purposely refused it because mankind proclaimed they were only good for child bearing and house work. But are there any two things more difficult than bearing children and running a household? I doubt it. And most men would fail at both. It’s also sad to see that until the late 19th, early 20th centuries, women were still considered chattels; mere things, possessions like animals, bought and sold, given away, whatever, without regard to their feelings or welfare. And in some societies the animals were more important. Unfortunately, it’s still that way today in too many stupid, patriarchal societies. Neither were women able to vote until they got together as a group and demanded the right in the first half of the 20th century. Today, they are still channelled towards the lowliest, menial work, still paid less than men for equal work, still kept under the glass ceiling, unable to rise to their full potential by the subtle and often not so subtle machinations of the old boys network. They’re often used and abused by their own spouses and families. So why is all this still happening when men are spouting all these praises to the women in their lives? On every awards show, it’s thanks to God, my mother, my wife, or some woman. Until recently women weren’t even allowed to hold any high lay post in the Church, much less become preachers. Even Paul, in his so called wisdom in 1st Timothy Chapter 2, declared that nonsense about women should not teach or usurp authority over men, but should be silent, reasoning that Adam was first formed, and Eve was the first transgressor, not Adam. However, in 2nd Timothy, Chapter 1, he reminds him, that his, Timothy’s faith was first nourished in his grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice. So what’s the point? They can have faith but not share it, not noise it about just because they’re women? And how did Timothy get started? Through his maternal relatives. I hope it was just Paul’s macho, chauvinistic side showing up. Because, as Solo says, favour and beauty in a woman isn’t worth much, but those who believe in and respect the Most High should be greatly praised. They should be allowed to do their own thing and receive the praise and benefit from it. I believe that Lois and Eunice were exactly the kind of women Solo was referring to. And in my own life, most of the good attributes I have, I owe to several strong women who’ve passed through my life at different times, starting with my mother Molly, and my great grand mother Lee. They were all strong believers and lived decent Christian lives. Two of my favourite preachers are Rev. Anne Smith in my church and Joyce Meyer on t.v. In fact I’m going to listen to Joyce after I’ve sent this. So should women be denied their birthright as God’s children, just because they’re women? Absolutely not! But women, there’s also another side to the coin: You also have a part to play. You can’t just use your physical beauty and woman’s wiles to get by. If you want to genuinely make a difference, you can’t play the same, stupid, hypocritical games that men do. You’ve got to rise above the petty concerns that rule men, and show them that you’re worth your salt, and can do a better job of running the world than they’ve done. Awright Daughters! Much LOVE…and Women, stand up and fight the good fight! The Most High is also your, Saviour, Father, Guide and Protector. And Men…Let’s LOVE our Women nuh! Although they can be annoying at times. (smile) LOVE’S THE ONLY WAY!
What a beautiful sentiment! And ole Solomon should know about women. For much too long women have been considered second class citizens, mentally inferior to the most ignorant man, just because they’re women. But that’s … well, in a scriptural text, I guess I can’t use the terminology I really want to, so we’ll just say that it’s not true. It all stems from man’s macho, fearful, chauvinistic instinct of not being number one. Anyway, education wise, in terms of formal schooling, women were, until recently, purposely refused it because mankind proclaimed they were only good for child bearing and house work. But are there any two things more difficult than bearing children and running a household? I doubt it. And most men would fail at both. It’s also sad to see that until the late 19th, early 20th centuries, women were still considered chattels; mere things, possessions like animals, bought and sold, given away, whatever, without regard to their feelings or welfare. And in some societies the animals were more important. Unfortunately, it’s still that way today in too many stupid, patriarchal societies. Neither were women able to vote until they got together as a group and demanded the right in the first half of the 20th century. Today, they are still channelled towards the lowliest, menial work, still paid less than men for equal work, still kept under the glass ceiling, unable to rise to their full potential by the subtle and often not so subtle machinations of the old boys network. They’re often used and abused by their own spouses and families. So why is all this still happening when men are spouting all these praises to the women in their lives? On every awards show, it’s thanks to God, my mother, my wife, or some woman. Until recently women weren’t even allowed to hold any high lay post in the Church, much less become preachers. Even Paul, in his so called wisdom in 1st Timothy Chapter 2, declared that nonsense about women should not teach or usurp authority over men, but should be silent, reasoning that Adam was first formed, and Eve was the first transgressor, not Adam. However, in 2nd Timothy, Chapter 1, he reminds him, that his, Timothy’s faith was first nourished in his grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice. So what’s the point? They can have faith but not share it, not noise it about just because they’re women? And how did Timothy get started? Through his maternal relatives. I hope it was just Paul’s macho, chauvinistic side showing up. Because, as Solo says, favour and beauty in a woman isn’t worth much, but those who believe in and respect the Most High should be greatly praised. They should be allowed to do their own thing and receive the praise and benefit from it. I believe that Lois and Eunice were exactly the kind of women Solo was referring to. And in my own life, most of the good attributes I have, I owe to several strong women who’ve passed through my life at different times, starting with my mother Molly, and my great grand mother Lee. They were all strong believers and lived decent Christian lives. Two of my favourite preachers are Rev. Anne Smith in my church and Joyce Meyer on t.v. In fact I’m going to listen to Joyce after I’ve sent this. So should women be denied their birthright as God’s children, just because they’re women? Absolutely not! But women, there’s also another side to the coin: You also have a part to play. You can’t just use your physical beauty and woman’s wiles to get by. If you want to genuinely make a difference, you can’t play the same, stupid, hypocritical games that men do. You’ve got to rise above the petty concerns that rule men, and show them that you’re worth your salt, and can do a better job of running the world than they’ve done. Awright Daughters! Much LOVE…and Women, stand up and fight the good fight! The Most High is also your, Saviour, Father, Guide and Protector. And Men…Let’s LOVE our Women nuh! Although they can be annoying at times. (smile) LOVE’S THE ONLY WAY!
SCRIP-BITS 