Thank you for quoting the post. I'm glad you liked it.
Shiloh is unique. I couldn't make that comment to many people. But I posted it to provide a different perspective. I've shared my background with her and she's willing to listen.
I have not been exposed to feminism. I was reared in a different environment. Ladyship and deportment were paramount. My family was fastidious about place and conduct. I am not addressing place in relation to gender. They wanted me to succeed. But gains at the expense of etiquette and breeding were unfathomable to them. That isn't a treaty against success but an understanding that the way we scale is equally important.
The bible tells us that a gentle answer turns away wrath. It is a reminder that you will rarely influence someone or sway them towards your cause through anger or yelling. You don't have to raise your voice to yell. It's in your countenance. Have you ever been approached by someone selling something. You didn't need it but their personality and conduct swayed you and you said okay, give me one?
Women were knit with an ability to assuage the horrors and hardships society is facing. But the people you're addressing will not be won by jockeying or any form masculinity. I support eloquence and an intelligent delivery. But doing it as one of the boys rarely works.
I have found in my interactions with the opposite sex that God's wisdom is true. I have never experienced racism or sexism. Not because I'm special or fortunate. I think it's largely due to the experiences and values that were impressed on me at a young age. Foundational truths that I passed on to my daughter. Her experiences echo mine.
I am a woman of color. I've dated interracially for over 20 years. I was a single parent. I had a successful career in wealth management. I retired in my mid-30's. My accomplishments were not the result of a trust fund. I am the beneficiary of much favor from men and women. And most of them were Caucasian.
I have never been a fan of labels for this reason. Oftentimes people negate their divinity for the philosophy of their cause. God said I'm fearfully and wonderfully made. I don't need to add anything to that. And I think there would be greater progress if both sides treated each other with more courtesy in their dialogues. It's become too negative and both are culpable.
I believe a better approach to the subject would be to start and end with God in mind. Jesus didn't trade barbs when he dealt with His accusers or scoffers. And the beauty that is uniquely woman is sullied when we do the same. If you understood the power you possessed you'd never raise your voice. If you realized how deeply you can soothe a man's woundedness you'd speak his language.
And if you grasped his inherent need to protect and provide (if he's healthy), you'd know that it's more than money and control at stake. That's innate for him as well. The challenge is discovering how we can support each other in light of our dreams and interests. Not split hairs.
The person you're yelling at across the room is heaven's work. If your cause has nullified your ability to see that stepping back is a must for self-assessment and adjustment. I did the same thing last year. I've been focused on building a business and growing very fast. But I noticed a change within me as well. I was a little sharper and a steely in ways I found disagreeable with my constitution.
I resolved it by turning to the Word and embracing humility in a new light. The greater my growth the lower I must become. Not because I'm unimportant. But I don't want success at the price of a pleasant disposition. That's helped me a great deal and I'm nearly where I was before.
There is another thing to keep in mind. If you want peace you can't yield a blade. When you take up the sword only one option exists. The battle will weary you over time and it will harden your heart in ways you can't imagine. Address your adversary in prayer instead. You can do more damage in the heavenly than wielding a bullhorn.
Pray against the spirit of Hatred, Anger, Bitterness, and Rejection. They are the rulers inciting all of this. Pray for peace, love, tenderness and joy for yourself. Just trust me on this. I think this was a word meant for you.
There is great diversity in God's Kingdom. I make a better socialite than social justice warrior. ;-)
I'm just reaching this portion and smiling quietly to myself. I am going to write what I intended to say above but I took it out. Ask the Lord for your assignment. I sensed this wasn't it. I don't know why but I could tell as I replied that it was meant for your ears.
The battle is the Lord's. You can stop. If you'd bring Him into this you may find better ways to address the issue that will add to your beauty without diminishing it. Loveliness is a wondrous thing when we don't impede its expression.
Next time you're in front of a mirror, take a moment and smile. Don't do anything else. Observe the way everything changes when you do. Notice your eyes and mouth. And the way your body relaxes and opens up.
Our warfare is different. And unless He calls us into battle we must be careful not to enter it without His covering. Remember Josiah.
Your response may be very different than you imagine. But if you lay down your sword and seek the Lord on this issue the frustration you feel will abate and peace will come in its place.
God Bless.
