Submission

Defined in the dictionary as:

The act of submitting; the act of yielding to power or authority; surrender of the person and power to the control or government of another; obedience; compliance. acknowledgement of inferiority or dependence; humble or suppliant behavior; meekness; resignation.

I've been finding myself in prayer and deep thought for many months now about the very taboo subject of being a submissive wife. I know it's been the Lord speaking to my heart AND it's been something that I've really wanted to achieve. I have chosen this season of Lent to really practice this form of discipline, if you may. Can I tell you how hard it is?

I don't think I need to express how much I adore and respect my husband. The Lord has blessed me with a smart, very loving, Godly husband and an amazing father. Probably one of the best fathers that I've ever come across, without spoiling his children. I know I am blessed beyond measure in my marriage. So, why is it so darn difficult for me to follow God's word when it comes to submission.

At first, I thought I had a Type A personality, or what I thought were Type A traits. I've been doing lots of reading on both Type A and B and then came across a personality test by Discovery Health. I was pleased to find out that on a scale from 0 to 100 (0 being Type B - 100 being Type A) I scored a 38. A mix of both, but tend to gravitate towards Type B. This is what my score meant:

You seem to be in the middle between the Type A and Type B personality. In this case, the middle ground is good. Your attitude to life is more of the "smell the roses" kind and you know how and when to relax. Nonetheless, you realize that picking up a challenge and competing a little bit for your place in the sun can add some spice to your life. The equilibrium is important, so don't let your hostile, aggressive, and competitive alter ego take over too often. Generally, you are easy to be around, and people tend to feel relaxed and comfortable in your presence. Yours is a very healthy attitude towards life.

Sounds pretty good, huh? I thought so, considering the fact that the Type A personality didn't seem like too much of a nice person to me. It definitely wasn't the person I want to be. I digress.

Back to what my topic is about, Submission. Can't really blame it on that Type A personality now. I do like how I am. But, I wish when it came to my husband I'd be different.

The Lord clearly tell us in St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians (5:22-24) -"Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything."

Like every couple, we've had some rough patches in the almost 12 years we've been together, but I can honestly say that we have a wonderful, loving relationship. I fully respect my husband. I love that he takes care of his family and is a wonderful provider. I absolutely see him as the head of our home and although his walk with Christ may not be what I (notice the Type A kickin' in) may want it to be, I know that He loves the Lord with all his heart and is a faithful servant. So, if he is my perfect dream man, why is it that I keep going back to the same question? Why do I feel that I should always put in my two cents and not trust 100% when he chooses otherwise without giving some sort of input? In the end, we always end up talking about whatever the issue was and coming to a unanimous decision. But, why should there even be a discussion?

In 1930, Pope Pius XI said something that is still very relevant to today's society. He said, (Casti connubii, 10 cf. The Navarre Bible — Captivity Epistles):

“The submission of the wife neither ignores nor suppresses the liberty to which her dignity as a human person and her noble functions as wife, mother, and companion give her the full right.

It does not oblige her to yield indiscriminately to all the desires of her husband; and his desires may be unreasonable or incompatible with her wifely dignity.

It does not mean that she is on a level with persons who in law are called minors. And minors are ordinarily denied the unrestricted exercise of their rights because of their immature judgment and not having enough experience.

I have to say that I totally agree. I've always been the kinda girl that is not big into women's rights. Yes, women should have the same equal rights as men when it comes to voting, employment, etc., but I am still very traditional when it comes to a man and a woman's role.

This entire post may sound like a bunch of blundering words thrown together, if so my apologies. This typical-of-me-controversial-topic is one that, as I mentioned earlier, has been on my mind for many months now and today I randomly decided to toss those thoughts down on "paper". This is something my heart is really calling me to do, As I read back the words I just wrote, I am clearly seeing the need for prayer asking for more humbleness and humility.

Since I have met so many wonderful Christian women (and men) that truly try to live by God's word daily, I would love to hear what your take is on this subject. Do you follow God's word as He intended us to when it comes to submission? If not, why? If ever I wanted comments or feedback on a topic, this one is it. Please either leave me a comment or EMAIL me. (If you do leave a comment and you think it may be something I may have questions about, please leave me your email address also.)

Of course, as always, those "Anonymous" comments will be accepted as long as they are respectful.

By the way, Scott's been way too busy lately to read my blog, so chances are he won't even get to this. But FYI, I have not told him that this is one of my Lenten sacrifices. I did mention that I am doing something different and I am hoping by Easter he could be the one to tell me what it was that I did.

Hugs and blessings,

All I Could Think About Is....

...how many families could bring home another blessing with each of Miss Aniston's haircuts.

Click HERE if you're totally confused about what I'm saying.

I'll Take A Double...NOT!

My little man laying around because he's feeling so miserable.

A double ear infection, that is! Yesterday as I was wishing I would've been home writing up my Not Me, Mondays!, instead I was at the pediatrician's office with my sweet little man for 2.5 hours. Poor baby has been so sick. Its killing me! He's got a double ear infection, bronchitis (at first thought to be pneumonia), and a sinus infection. He's on two antibiotics and a steroid.

The worst has to be when he's sleeping. Remember when Kai had the v-flap surgery for air to not escape out of his nose? Well, they sealed it pretty good and he has only a narrow airway to breathe from. With the mucous buildup (I know....gross) in his sinus cavities, he can't breathe through his nose at all. So, when he's sleeping or eating he's really struggling to breathe. At times he scares himself and begins to cry frantically because he's gasping for air. Scott and I have had him in our bed for 4 days and we've pretty much taken turns nudging him awake when we see he's struggling to breathe. He did have a Nebulizer treatment yesterday and was a bit better afterwards. Hopefully the meds will kick in soon and he'll be back to normal. Please pray that it call clears up. My heart is breaking seeing him like this.

Seems like 2009 has kicked off to a rotten start. Another trial has been placed before us.

Kai has had two sets of ear tubes put in since he's been home. I'm pretty sure that this last set is already out, being that when we speak to him we often seem to get a "What?", with hand cupped around his ear, from him lately. A sure sign that there's fluid backed up in his ears and another outpatient surgery in his future for a new set of tubes to drain the fluid.

The reason I'm telling you this is because I'm asking for big prayers for God to intervene somehow. Our insurance was switched to an HMO (can you say LOUSY?) at the beginning of 2009. Now all outpatient surgeries are covered only at 50%. This is AFTER we've met the $3000. deductible per person. That amount is almost an impossibility for our family at this time, yet Kai's hearing is of the utmost importance to us right now and we're not sure how we're going to solve this. Not treating fluid in the ears could lead to permanent hearing loss, not to mention the fact that we've seen a great regression in his speech in the last month and a half. He hears as if he were under water, so you could imagine how frustrating it must be for him.

Please pray that the Lord somehow provide for this surgery and that our precious boy will get the necessary treatment to hear perfectly again. Our appointment with the ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist) is March 24. This worried Mama is thanking you from the bottom of her heart for your prayers. God bless.