This print is entiled
Sari and is done by
nidhi on Etsy. It's of a little one hanging on for dear life while she follows mom around doing the shopping. It shows one of the many roles that women have. That of mom and mother.
Over the last few days I've had much time to think about the subject of women's roles. Mine in particular. With a family crisis underway, the quiet moments have given me much time to re-evaluate, and assess my next move. (I can certainly see my husband's mental wheels turning to do the same thing too!)
I've never been a mother...That's a long story for another time. But I am, and have been for the last 28 years, a wife. Before the situation with my father-in-law, my hubby and I were going merrily along in our designated, decided upon, roles in our marriage. We only had each other and we spent every day just loving each other and working together as a unit. I think the look in the faces of this couple, as depicted by this
Custom portrait illustration of a couple by
madebyjenschell shows it very well! Each of us would handle certain things in the household, for work, with our families, and so forth. But I can see my role is changing.
My husband doesn't need as much of my time as bookkeeper and co-money maker now, as he used to. I suppose, as with most mothers, wives, and women, roles change. And you have to be prepared to change with them. So, with his nerves a little more on end, because of stress about his father's mental state and physical disposition, he needs me to lower my anxious voice a little, give him hugs of reassurance, (as depicted in this print entitled
Spring Hug by
Meant4amoment) and...without argument...make all of the family phone calls, appointments, and updates. Instead of showing my "
CAN DO" side, he needs to see my "
I Understand" side, my
"don't worry about me" side.
I must admit....it's going to take some mental readjustment, because with my physical issues the last few years, I've been his baby, and the center of his attention, so to speak. I'm used to him spending every waking minute worrying about
ME! (Brought to mind that
song by Toby Keith entitled I wanna talk about me!) I know it's kind of selfish, but I guess that's what happens when you don't have kids and you spend every minute with just the two of you!
I haven't had to divide my attention with anyone, relationship-wise, since I was living at home! There were lots of sisters and brothers around then. (Just like it's shown in this
my little brother print by
tushtush.) Except that I divide my attention with hubby and his relationship with Jehovah God. But I gladly share his attention on that subject! :-) I mean, what kind of wife....or woman....would I be that wanted to take the attention of God away from her husband?!!! I'm not that bad!!! LOL
So, emotionally speaking, me having my way and fussing about nothing in particular, and making him pick up behind himself, and running errands, and...you get the picture...will have to go on hold for a while until things change back to the designated roles...I can be petty and irritating any old time, if I really put my mind to it. LOL So......I will! I'll put my mind to it after this crisis time is over. For now this will be me...
This
Original Lioness and Cub pencil drawing is entitled A MOTHER'S PRIDE. It's by
BeccasPlace. I'm not my hubby's mother, even though he does call me Mama sometimes. But I am very proud of the way he's trying to step in and do whatever is necessary to make his mom and dad feel cared for. In fact, it appears that his other brothers are changing their roles a little bit too in this regard. I guess all of us have to grow up and realize that times and seasons change...and we have to change and grow with them.
What roles are you, as a women, fulfilling?! Have they changed over the years?! I'd love to hear about it! (The poem I'm sharing with you today was one I wrote based on the book of Proverbs, chapter 31, in the Bible.)
Wife-Mother-Woman
A capable wife is hard to find,
says proverbs, chapter thirty-one;
And if you find her, hold on tight.
Because her value's under-run.
You can put your trust in her
as a mother, woman, wife;
and if you do, she'll reward you
with only good for all her life.
She works well with her hands
at making clothes and other things.
She'll search hard for a bargain.
What you need is what she brings.
When anyone is sick
she'll check on them throughout the night-
bring chicken soup and juices,
from sundown til morning light.
She's good at making deals.
She'll buy a home and get a bargain;
And when the home is bought
you'll find her working on a garden.
She's the 'weaker vessel',
but she can be as strong as men.
If you try to hurt her babies
that's a fight you will not win.
As wife, mother, woman,
it is priceless that she's in
subjection to her husband-
and her goals are always his.
She is also there for others,
whether needy, or the poor.
The encouragement she gives
just makes her family love her more.
Her husband's name is known,
because of how she makes him shine-
By her deep love for Jehovah,
and the love she's shown, in kind.
Her mouth she has opened,
with the wisdom of God's word;
She's applied that loving-kindness
from all the principles she's heard.
She's watching all the goings on
outside, and in her house;
But she's not a meddling gossip.
She's as quiet as a mouse.
While charm may be false
and prettiness may be vain,
if she really fears Jehovah,
her husband's praise is what she'll gain.
All her works of love
will praise her-one upon the other;
and her husband and her sons
will love this woman, wife and mother.
Everyone who knows her
will pronounce her happy too,
as a capable wife and mother
and spiritual woman through and through.
