Nuggets for Parenting (& Living)

As some of you may know, I have been reading Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood edited by John Piper and Wayne Grudem. There are many good insights, both for a theological framework and social implications of a correct framework. Many thoughts have been helpful to me in thinking about my identity as a woman, but one of the thoughts that particularly impressed upon my mind was this:

'Maleness and femaleness are distinct personhood, therefore being created as a male or a female have profound moral implications. There are peculiar masculine virtues and peculiar feminine virtues.' (I apologize that I cannot find the exact quote... It was somewhere in the introductory chapters, but terribly hard to locate in a 500+pg. book.)

While unloading the dishwasher this morning, an interesting statement popped into my mind in thinking about particular feminine virtues: “The feminine virtues I want to cultivate as a redeemed woman are the same virtues that I want to see in my daughters and future daughters-in-law.”

As a mother, here are some virtues that are important for me to see in my daughters and in those whom my sons will choose as their spouse: frugality, industry, honesty, and modesty.

I want to be a mother who embodies these virtues so fully that my children will not be in confusion about what kind of woman she should become or about who to choose as a mate. In day-to-day living, what will I teach my sons and daughters? If I make an impulsive purchase at a store, am I teaching them that my desires have a greater power over me than my reason (re:William Blake)? If I waste away an hour on the internet while ignoring my household duties, am I teaching them to eat the bread of idleness? If I do not rebuke someone in sin to temporarily placate our relationship, am I teaching them that my ease of mind is more important than the truth? In my choice of clothing, am I adorning myself with proper godliness and not worldliness?

Anyway, these are things I chew on throughout the day.