Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

A Change of Style

10:34, Friday, July 14, 2006 .. Posted in Study Parlor .. 2 comments .. Link

Sometimes it amazes me the changes that one goes through as they study God's Word and draw closer to Him. I keep thinking back on a scripture that I found in my reading. Deuteronomy 22:5 states that "a woman should not wear that which pertains to a man and a man should not wear that which pertains to a woman." I have always felt more comfortable wearing long skirts or jumpers. My usual preference being no shorter than a mid-calf length. Prior to going to truck driving school, I only wore jeans on a rare occassion. Climbing in and out of a semi however, is both difficult and unsafe in a skirt. There is always the risk of tripping on the hem and falling. Being a SAHM now, I am able to start wearing the skirts again. Finding the scripture in Deuteronomy just strengthened my desire to dress in a more feminine way. I also read in 1 Corinthians 11 the Apostle Paul's words about a woman wearing a head covering. While there is much debate among believers as to whether or not the woman's hair is her covering, I have found numerous references to the fact that in the original Greek translation, there were 2 different words used for the word "covering". One means hair, the other means veil. There is alot of debate as to whether the directive given by the Apostle Paul was simply speaking of a cultural practice of that time or if it was something actually required of Christian women. I read what our church, the Worldwide Church of God, had to say about the topic and while they do not feel a need to require it, they wouldn't disapprove if a woman chose to cover. I, personally, have felt the need to cover. Not because I feel it is commanded of women by the Apostle Paul, I don't have enough information yet to no if that is the case. I choose to cover for a variety of reasons. Wearing a head covering is not something new to our generation. Though it is not as common as it once was, there are still women in the Catholic and Jewish faiths, for instance, who still observe this directive. The Apostle Paul said that a woman should wear a head covering when in prayer or prophesying. Since we are also told to "Pray without ceasing" (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17), it says to me that a woman should wear a head covering during her waking hours. Some women also choose to wear a different cover at night. I do not follow this practice. My covering is a simple triangular scarf. I have 2 of them. One is large enough that it covers my neck also. I sometimes wear it when I am working outside to protect my neck from sunburn. I also wear it when my hair is drying after being washed. I have another that is smaller that I wear at other times. I am making a small scarf that more closely matches my hair color to wear when I am away from home. Though I enjoy wearing the scarves, I don't like drawing attention to them.
There are other reasons also why I am beginning to cover my hair. One being that it is an outward expression of my respect and love for rmy beloved husband. 1st Corinthians 11:3 describes the line of authority in the home. Christ is the head of the man and the man is the head of the woman. Not a popular opinion in today's feminist society. I have always felt that it is God's desire for the man to be the head of the household. The wife, as his helpmeet, has equal say as to what goes on in the home, but the responsibility for the decisions of the family rests on the husband's shoulders. I remember my Grandma once saying that the man is the head of the house, but the woman is the neck that can turn the head. She recognised in that statement that the man has leadership over the house, but the woman has the ability to influence her husband. Wearing a headcovering is an outward way to show respect for Joe's authority over the family.
I must admit that at first, Joe was reluctant to my covering. He knows that there are alot of people in the world who think women who cover are abused or too submissive to oppressive husbands. While serving in the Navy during the Desert Storm campaign, Joe saw the negative way women were treated. He is completely against such behavior towards a woman. Joe believes firmly in the directive given in Ephesians 5:25 which states, "husbands love your wives even as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it". Joe treats me with tenderness, love and respect. He treats me with the gentleness that you would show something that you value highly. I chose to cover as one way I have to show my love and respect for him.
Covering also has several practical advantages. One being that it protects my neck from the heat of the sun. It keeps me cooler in the summer sun's heat. It also keeps my long hair out of my way when I am working or in the car with the windows down (we don't have A/C in the car). I feel very feminine wearing it. The slight weight of the cover gets my attention throughout the day and reminds me to keep a prayer in my heart and brings thoughts of the Lord to the forefront of my mind.
I have noticed that when I am wearing the long skirts and scarf, in addition to feeling very feminine, there is a softening in the way I express myself. A deep sense of peace and contentment within myself that expresses itself through the way I carry myself, speak and act towards others.
I fully understand that there will always be women who don't agree with my way of thinking on this issue, but that is their right. Each of us are free to choose how we want to live our lives. This way is simply the way that I feel is right for me.

May God bless you and your families.

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enjoyed your thoughts

01:10, Friday, July 14, 2006 .. Posted by deedee06
What a lovely post. My husband has done some trucking and I understand how difficult it is to get in and out of the trucks! I had worn short hair for many years and when my son was little, I decided to grow it out and donate it to Locks of Love. Now I keep it at about shoulder length. I feel more feminine with longer hair and my husband loves it........................Denise

Thank you deedee

01:43, Friday, July 14, 2006 .. Posted by oklamouse
My beloved also loves my long hair. It was just past my shoulders when we first met. It is now about 4 inches above my waist. Long enough that when it is down in a pony tail and I am driving the car, I have to pull my hair around to lay in front of me so I am not pulling my own hair by turning my head. LOL

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Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

A Change of Style

enjoyed your thoughts

Thank you deedee

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