Feminine Appeal

Our ladies' Bible Study at church just completed a study through Feminine Appeal, Seven Virtues of A Godly Wife and Mother, by Carolyn Mahaney. It was my second or third time through the book, but first time leading a group of mostly younger gals who have been married under five years. I think I can speak for us all when I say we were greatly encouraged and motivated to be more godly wives and mothers through this study. It amazes me how in every stage and role in marriage, we as wives continuously battle our flesh and natural tendencies in order to reap the rewards of a godward life. My husband and I will be celebrating ten years next summer, and while I feel more confident than I did in my twenties, I perpetually find myself revisiting the virtues found in Titus 2:3-5 with greater humility and desire for obedience. Loving my husband, loving my children, self-control, purity, working at home, kindness, and submission. I wanted to share some of the highlights of my study: "...we can "adorn" the gospel with our lives. To "adorn" means to put something beautiful or attractive on display..." (p. 27)

" Men may be weaker in showing sacrificial love and are therefore exhorted to undrtake it. But I believe women are generally weaker in exhibiting an affectionate love--thus the instructions given to us in Titus 2." (p. 34)

"Our emotions are a warning system God graciously gave us to attract attention to the sin in our hearts." (p. 38)

"...one of the most loving things we can do for our children is to prize our husbands." (p.43)

"Our goal is not that our children be happy, fulfilled, and successful. Granted, we may desire these things for them. But our highest objective should be that our children would repent from their sins, put their trust in Jesus Christ, and reflect the gospel to the world around them." (p.61)

"We must understand that our feelings are not authoritative. Just because we feel something doesn't make it true." (p.75)

"...1 Peter 3:3-5...declares that if we cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit, we will actually make ourselves beautiful." (p.92)

"What an extraordinary thought--that we can create a home where it is impossible to keep from thinking of God." (p.114)

"Good works don't just happen. We need to plan and prepare for them." (p.132)

"It is actually weakness on display when a wife is not submissive; she is only caving in to her natural inclination to usurp authority and demand her own way. That doesn't take any effort at all." (p. 140)

"This is a picture of the effect of submission on our husbands. It places a godly pressure on them. It allows them to feel the full weight of their responsibility. More often than not, they rise to the challenge." (p.147)

Have I whetted your appetite for more? And if you've already read through the book, have you been reminded to apply what you know to be true? It has for me.