The husband may be the head of the household, but the woman is the neck and can turn the head any way she wants.
I am woman, hear me roar.
We've probably all heard or said one of these phrases in our lifetime. Mostly used in jest, I have never really given such woman-isms much thought.
Until lately.
The Lord has really convicted me lately. I have a love-hate relationship with conviction. It's like the calorie counter on my phone. How dare you tell me that the dish I wanted at Olive Garden has 2,349 calories. Ok, thanks. I needed that. I hate you.
Add a sermon about James and bridling the tongue this morning and you have the Alfredo sauce on top of the fettuccine that is my heart this week.
I think, as Christian women, many of us have adopted the notion that if we ain't happy, nobody's gonna be happy. And that we will outwardly support leadership and causes, but underneath we will use our necks to spin that head like the girl in those exorcist movies.
I can't tell you how many times I have roared with what I thought were good intentions, only to find that they stemmed from my deep-seeded desire to be in control. Why does my self-professed passion often take the form of gossip and complaining rather than positive action and an outpouring of compassion?
God's plan for the woman is so vast. It is so powerful. It's unique to us.
But you know what?
He needs us to get our menu-planning, carpool driving, full-time nagging, drama mama selves out of His way (Ouch and Amen).
Repent is a hard word for me to say (I think it goes back to that control freak thing). But I'm here to repent, ya'll.
For the times I have said things about you.
For the times I have listened and even laughed.
For the times that judgment gave me joy.
For the times that I didn't meet you in your time of need.
For the times I told myself that running my mouth was a product of loving concern.
We are called to a higher purpose. The church needs women. Not to be a manipulative neck; not to interject ourselves into situations under the guise of caring; not to treat the church like a PTO meeting we're in charge of.
But to lead in love.
Let's renew and recommit. And leave that roaring stuff to the lions.
