Monday, May 3, 2010

Let Me Be A Woman / Elisabeth Elliot / Children

Let Me Be A Woman 
by Elisabeth Elliot

Chapter 4:  A Daughter, Not  a Son


This chapter is the story of Valerie's birth (Elisabeth and Jim Elliot's only child--Valerie Elliot Shepard).  Both Jim and Elisabeth had prayed for a son, as is usually the natural order of things--firstborn son, older brother, the heir... When Valerie was born, of course, they were both content to have a daughter.  The primary message from this section is:

If you believe God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things.  It is we, of course to whom things look "little" or "big".  Amy Carmichael wrote:
There is no great with Thee, there is no small, for Thou art all, and fillest all in all.


Chapter 5:  Creation--Woman for Man


In this section Elisabeth refers back to the book of Genesis where, after creating the world and everything in it,  God says, it is not good for man to be alone.  She discusses animals and the gulf that separates us from them.   A suitable helper for Man was not found among any of them.  God filled the gap by creating a woman from the man.  Note that He did not create another man or a new animal but a new being in God's image--a woman.  It is reassuring that God specifically created us women for a specific purpose--to be a  specific man's helper.  The word helper is similar to the word for the Holy Spirit who is our ultimate Helper.    

What about the women who do not marry? or who do not marry a believer who understands this concept?  Well, I have my own opinions but I'm sure Elisabeth will get to them later in this book.  Keep reading.  :)
==============================================
Prayer for Your Children:  Love
Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love through the Spirit who dwells in them.  (Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22)


No comments:

Parsley "Tea": A Natural Diuretic

Parsley "Tea" I was walking with my daughter-in-law this morning and thought I had posted about this here... such a great tip when...