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that of serving- through her hus–
band and family-the society and
the world as a whole. Women can
REALLY
accomplish far more in the
end to help this entire world by
being the kind of wives and moth–
ers that God Almighty intended.
Take this example. In his book
My Darling Clementine, the S tory
of Lady Churchill,
a uthor J ack
Fishman vividly portrays the fact
that Sir Winston Cburcbill's wife
aided and supported him in a manner
that added immeasurably to his t re–
mendous accompl ishments. S ir
Wi nston- the "man of t he cen–
tury"- would
NEVER
bave been the
kind of man he was, or had the sta–
bility he had, the fortitude he dis–
played and the ability to rebound
even from shattering defeat or dis–
couragement-if it had not been for
the unusual help, inspiration and
support of his dedicated wife.
Putting it another way, perhaps
ou r entire Western c ivil izat ion
might not even
BE HERE
if it had
not been for the steadfastness, wis–
dom and courage of this man–
inspired and greatly magnified by
this highly intelligent and cultured
woman . She was willing to dedícate
herself to being his wife and helper
l 00 percent of t he time!
And what American is not famil–
iar with the example of patient
teac hing, religious instruction,
gu idance, encouragement and in–
spiration that Abraham Lincoln's
mother gave to him? At the height
of his accomplisbments, this most
revered of all American Presidents
stated : "AII that I am or ever hope
to be 1 owe to my ... mother."
An
Outslde Job?
Should women have outside jobs?
This is a basic question- but one
that needs to be answered here.
T he true answer de pends upon
whether- in taking such a job–
she is responding to her husband's
true wishes and serving her fami–
ly's true needs as well as those of
the la rger society.
There are certainly many sit ua–
tions in which a young, unmarried
woman needs to be working in
sorne other position. For the young
married woman, these situatiems
are d istinctly fewer.
Yet they do exist.
Especially in the first few years
30
of marriage, a young woman may
need to take at least a part-time job
befare the children come. But the
t rue interests of most marriages are
NOT
furthered by having the wife
work throughout marriage.
A woman needs to be very care–
ful about a working career. With
prayer, with timely suggestion and
advice, she should do her full part
to see that she is not pushed into
taking an outside job that will ulti–
mately defeat the very purpose for
which it was intended.
A noticeable amou nt of the
added i ncome provided by the
wife's job is taken up with taxes,
her travel expenses to and from
work, outside meals, extra clothes
and baby-sitters or day-care fees to
take care of children .
Looking at it economically
alone-a family at times gains very
little by having the wife work outside
the home. Balance this small advan–
tage with the
DAMAGE
done to the
attitudes of both husband and wife in
such a situation and to the very char–
acters of their young children grow–
ing up without the full -time care and
guidance of a mother.
Married women should be very
cautious and sparing about ever
taking outside jobs-even in sup–
posed "emergencies"-and practi–
cally
NEVER
Jet this develop into a
lifetime situation. The ultimate
"price" of s uch a job is often
entirely too high!
The Ultimate Wife
Few have taken serious ly the most
complete single passage in all the
Bible on womanhood. This passage
is found in Proverbs 3 1:10-31.
It
has been preserved for nearly 3,000
years in the canon of Scripture.
It
was inspi red of God to help tbe
woman of any age, including today,
to grasp and understand the type of
life she sbould live.
All , both meo a nd women,
should study it regularly.
It calls attention to t he tremen–
dous value of the "virtuous woman"
(verse 1O). 1t shows how she buoys
up and encourages her husband.
It
describes how she works on behalf of
her family in the home.
Surprising to sorne, perhaps, it
sbows that a wife shou1d exercise
initiative. For she "bringeth her
food from afar." If t he family
budget permits, she should be able
to arder things from distant places
and overseas!
"She considereth a field, and
buyeth it: with the fruit of her
bands she plantetb a vineyard"
(verse 16). This kind of wife
obviously has initiative. Her initia–
tive may be exercised, occasionally,
in purchasing addiüonal plots of
land and adding to the income of
the household by her supervision of
this land.
It
takes initiative, d r ive
and vision.
"She maketh fine 1inen, and sell–
eth it; and delivereth girdles unto the
merchant" (verse 24). Here again,
this woman is going above and
beyond keeping the borne and rear–
ing the children. She is actually in
the clothing industry-yet at home!
"She maketh herself coverings of
tapestry; her clothing is si lk and
purple" (verse 22). She may save
her husband and fami ly a good deal
of money- when necessary- by
doing sewing at home and in every
way making sure that her children
and family are well dressed and
·well taken care of in every way pos–
sible. She assists her husband in
providing quality products for her
home and family by making sorne
of them herself.
"Strength and honour are her
clothing; and she shall rejoice in
time to come. She openeth her
mouth with wisdom; and in her
tongue is the law of kindness"
(verses 25-26).
This inspired passage cer tainly
describes a wife of di1igence, vision
and accomplishment!
She is a wife of "honour." She
does have wisdom, but she is alert
to her place in assisting and encour–
aging her husband and remembers
to be tender and kind in what she
says, thinks and does. With t his
attitude, she is
N OT COMPETING–
not becoming unfeminine, not
becoming hard, raucous and argu–
mentative.
Her children grow up and praise
her. Her husband praises her and
laves her till death does them part.
She is the kind of wife who is
fulfilli ng the role for which she was
created! Beyond all doubt, she wi ll
be blessed, appreciated and ever–
lastingly loved for joyously ful fill–
ing this high calling!
-Roderick C. Meredith
. The
PLAIN TRUTH