I write this somewhat in responce to a blog written by Brian Barrett and partially because I've been thinking often of what women are supposed to be under God in light of Valentine's Day.
Dear Men of God,
If you have ever been with a woman that did not reflect the Son, I'm sorry. If you have even been with a woman who played games to get what she wanted, I'm sorry. If a woman has ever used your affections to fill her own desire for love and companionship, I'm sorry. If a woman has ever used you for your strength and need to protect women, I'm sorry. If a woman has ever deceived you and preyed upon your manhood, I'm sorry. If a woman has ever left you hurt, demoralized and dejected, I'm sorry. We have been remiss in our position as women and our responsibilities toward you as men.
As men, I know that you are strong and I pray that you would find your strength in the Father. Through that strength forgive us, as woman, for our weakness. Encourage us to stand firm as woman of God. Remind us that our identity is in God and that nothing on this earth has the power to define us.
Beware the woman who is superficial and undefined. Hold out for a woman that stands on the path shown to us by the Word of God. Look for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. Do not be deceived by sweet words and a pretty face. Allow the Father to lend you discernment and wisdom. Do not fall for the tricks.
Allow us, as your sisters, to encourage you and uphold you. Allow us to find strength in your strength when we are weak. Allow us to hold your name before the Father in prayer day after day. Remember that when you want to be strong on your own, we just want to be there to lend strength when you falter. Give us an opportunity to do things for you as an expression of our love. Remember that we are different.
Reach for understanding when you think of us. We desire love and affection. We desire strength and steadfastness. We want someone to understand us and know us. We desire to be held as we cry and someone to dance with us as we rejoice. We want to be pursued and respected. We want someone to not just see us for our clothes and our jobs and our hobbies; we want someone to see us for our character and our love.
We want to be a woman of God. With God's unending grace we can become more like Ruth and less like Delilah every day. We hope to honor and respect you. To love and nurture you. To never trick or deceive for our own selfish gains. We will support you. We will listen to you. We will run next to you in this race called life. We will pray over you. We will speak life into you. We plead with the Father for his loving mercies. We will desire your best and work for your gain. We are few on this earth but we do exist. Wait until you find us and know that God is faithful.
God was faithful when he created you. He created you as Sons of God. He created you as beings made in his image to be sanctified and conformed to the likeness of His son, Jesus. You are men of God and we would not have it any other way. He made you strong and sure. He made you protective and just. He made you compassionate and understanding. He made you with a desire to do right and a righteous anger at injustice. He made you to be the head of the family. He made you to carry others when they can no longer go on. He knows your desires and your dreams. Stop listening when the world says that you will never be all that they had in mind. Stop listening when they break you down. Stop listening when the world says you are destined to be just like your father. Stop listening to lies. Know that the world has no power over you. That power has been broken and we are the victors in Jesus' name! Know that we, women of God, believe in your potential and we are here to give you encouragement and to give you strength. In God, you find all that you will need.
So thank you. Thank you for putting up with us. Thank you for your strength and your presence. Thank you for upholding the standard that God set forth. Thank you for showing us that Men of God do exist. Thank you for your perseverance. Thank you for leading us on the Path of righteousness. Thank you for being Men- Real Men. Thank you for all that you do for us. Know that we see you. Know that we admire you. Know that we pray for you. Find strength in that and strength in the grace of God.
With much love,
The Women of God
