Let me be a woman!!!

Okay.... so I read this book (not by my own personal choice might I add) about a year and a half ago called Let Me Be A Woman by Elizabeth Elliot. I am really embarrassed to say that I pretty much disdained the book and even threw it across the room a few times in the course of reading it. It was during a point in my life where I was really trapped in pride (not that I have outgrown this stage) and thinking I already had the answers and knew who I was. Oh my soul! (in a Georgian accent) if I had only known what God had in store for me. Allow me to explain who I used to be so that the upcoming statements will bear more weight....
I used to play a game (only with an old boyfriend) called 'Erin wins' and the whole premise of the game is that it didn't matter what he said because in the end I was always right unless it happened to be a full moon, in which case he might be right if I was feeling generous.... I know, it's gross.
I also firmly believed that I could do anything that man can do and I could probably do it better, nicer, easier, prettier... you get the idea. And I had no shame in trying and then rejoicing over whatever poor guy had challenged me thinking that I couldn't do it or wouldn't at least try. I really am growing out of this one -- but every now and then....
Another argument I used to have quite frequently was the - I don't need your leadership, but thanks anyway, I am perfectly capable. Another exboyfriend and I used to argue over women in the church and the idea of men being led by a woman. At the time I had no qualms about women in the church and their ability to lead well -- and maybe even better than any man could lead.
And finally, I am really embarrassed to say that it was only a little over a year ago that I had this 'ah-ha moment' where I realized that guys aren't just stupid and wrong about everything but that they are just different because that is how God created them. God didn't just mess up and make guys stupid and insensitive (keep reading men, I promise I will say some redeeming things), but God made man different for a reason.
Now, in light of all that, I have been thinking through what it means that God made me a woman and not a man and what that means for me and for the other men and women I come in contact with. It was not until this past year that I really enjoyed following men around me and setting them up to lead and trusting their complete competence. It was really freeing for me to experience joy in submission and choosing trust and seeing that to follow is not suppression or weakness but it can be a more complete image of Christ to the world.
I have learned a few things (mostly through utter failure - my style of learning) that I want to share with you all as my community of men and women...
First of all, I am really glad that I am not a man! And to the men I want to say THANK YOU for the ways that you have patiently shown me about what being truly masculine is and for making me desire more out of my relationships with men. God did rightfully create you all as men to be the head and to be leaders, initiators, decision makers, protectors, providers, care-givers!!! I wasted a lot of time tearing you all down and finding fault with your leadership instead of setting you (collectively) up to win. Honestly, I am disappointed with the seeming lack of male leadership among my generation. I know there are a lot of us loud, dominating, capable females to crush and suppress -- but this is my plea for you to endure and to keep going and growing!! We really do want to follow and want to set you up as leaders, but I also think that the man needs to show himself worthy -- not to be respected or honored -- but to be supported in leadership and submitted to joyfully. And I believe that as man you all have the God ordained capacity to lead well -- I am praying that the men of this generation would tap into that and reject the lies about what it means to be a man.
Now to the women .... you are not a man -- you are a woman! This is not a statement about status or qualification... it is just truth! For a long time I struggled with my personality and being this 'gentle and quiet' spirit. God has continued to patiently show me that it's freedom to be a woman and follow and submit! I think God has given women a special capacity to nurture, support, love, and encourage. When I stopped trying to exert power in place of love and when I chose to follow instead of try and prove my capability of leading I was surprised to find that I didn't feel less erin or like I was being suppressed but found that it is freedom to serve and freedom to be the bride and receive instead of fighting for headship. So women, find freedom today in how God has created you and I encourage you to seek out and ask God and search the word for what it means to be a feminine representation of Jesus Christ.
Thanks for reading this... I've just been thinking through my journey over the past few years and realizing how far He has brought me from throwing that book across the room and thinking all guys are just stupid to longing to be led and appreciating how God created us uniquely to be different representations of Himself.
Men -- appreciate your manliness and maturity. Women -- being feminine has nothing to do with your personality, make-up bag, or your ability to giggle.


Complimentary means that the differences of male and female will be respected and affirmed and valued. It means that male and female will not try to duplicate each other, but will highlight in each other the unique qualities that make for mutual enrichment. - John Piper