Monday, March 14, 2011

Stepford Wives.....Or Proverbs 31?

If you've ever seen Stepford Wives then you will know what I'm talking about. If not, then you can just pretend. As an English major and all-around college student I am becoming very efficient at reading and skimming for basic information. I'm fairly good at reading through the things I disagree with to find the things I enjoy and find interesting. While I don't recommend Stepford Wives, it had an interesting point that I wanted to highlight.

The point of this movie is to debunk the "June Cleaver" idea of a woman's role in a marriage. Women are presented as perfectly manicured beauties with ideal bodies, ideal hair, bountiful boobs, and a plastered smile that never goes away. Can I be honest?? I wanna be her. I wanna have curled hair, pretty dresses, that itty-bitty waist, manicured nails, high heels that match my outfit, and be able to wear those pretty hats without getting stared at. If I could be that little homemaker with lots of cupcakes, not an ounce of fat, and the ideal kitchen I would. But I have yet to discover this woman in the Bible. I don't think she has a chapter dedicated to her. The description of the deacon's wife is not this woman.... Wanna know the woman that my Bible talks about?

Proverbs 31:10-31
 10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
   and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
   bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
   she provides food for her family
   and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
   and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."


Is it just me...or is that totally opposite of the stepford wife? The stepford wife does what her husband tells her to. She is perfect and doesn't ever have a moment out of place. The woman I read about from God's perspective isn't concerned about herself--she is focused on her family. She is more than a pretty face. She is brains. She is wisdom. She is a wife and a mama. She isn't the cover of Life or the model for Vanity. In fact, she isn't vain at all! OH she is clothed in finest purple and she is a prize for her husband. But more than the purple she is clothed in STRENGTH. She is a cook and her family is always fed....I'm sure her cupcakes always rise. Her husband praises her. She is more than a pretty face. She fears the Lord and she is honored for what she had done. And I'm pretty sure she isn't blond. I think she's a red head.


Can I be that woman? I wanna be HER. I'd rather have the praise of my husband than his drink order. I'd rather be dressed in strength and purple than the pretty dress with high heels. I'd rather love my Lord than my lipstick. I'd rather be a Proverbs wife, than a Stepford wife.

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