Submission

Hello ladies! It's actually Bethany this time!! Hope you all are having a wonderful week!

REVIEW: {On Sunday, we discussed chapter 14! Some of you had some problems with this specific parts of this chapter at first, but I think that we all concluded the chapter feeling much better about it! We are 'God's fruit and therefore should taste like something that fell from His tree.' We are our husbands window to know, to love, and to understand what God's love for us is all about! Is your window clear? Open? Or is it closed or streaked up?? Covered by mini-blinds or curtains?}

Now onto Chapters 15, 16, & 17! (our homework for this coming Sunday)

SUBMISSION! I know some of us must have cringed a little when we found out this topic for discussion within the next couple of chapters! I struggle with this! But before reading, I asked myself what I thought submission was, and this is what I came up with:

I believe submission is that point in our relationship with God, when we no longer feel that we HAVE to, but rather it is our desire in order to please Him. It is a matter of respect. I do not want to stray from His commands or His will for my life, but I RESPECT Him, I am REVERENT to Him, and I DESIRE to do whatever He asks of me.

What is your definition of Submission? What did you think it was before reading these chapters? And did your definition change afterwards?

I love how Tonia says "God has given us free will, but when we surrender that free will back to Him, we will have the potential to share in His glory." "He could use His power to make us do right, but in doing so He would rob us of the joy and glory that comes when we finally learn what is right and exercise our freedom to do it."

When I read that last statement, something just clicked in my spirit - it all began to make sense. We appreciate things after we trudge through the trenches. When we are covered from head to toe in mud, exhausted, and on the verge of giving up -- we don't always understand why we have to experience such things and we wonder why God isn't rescuing us from it....but once it's all over with, when we are on the rainbow side of the storm -- we are filled with joy because we survived! We learned something vital to our growth -- and I am always so excited when I get to give God the glory for giving me the grace to overcome!

In chapter 16 it discusses the blessings of submission. What did you think about the section that talked about the women whose husbands are unbelieving? I have never been shown this perspective!! Through my submission to God, my husband is sanctified (set apart for)! Which means that because of our relationship with God, our husbands are given wisdom and grace for our sake! I have witnessed this first-hand, but I never knew this was the reason! WOW!! This is so encouraging!! Through prayer, through intercession and through our demeanor, with God's help we can change the heart of our unbelieving husband! I am interested to know what some of your thoughts are about this?? Have you witnessed this? Did you know this already??

What are your thoughts about Sarah? What did you appreciate about her? What did you dislike?? She set an amazing example of a submissive woman!

Unity is the goal in our relationships - Oneness - Submission is a vital role in unity!

Sorry for the lengthy blog, but Heather asked me to write this week - and you guys know how hard it is for me to keep things short! Plus three chapters is really hard to paraphrase when there is so much information packed into each one! Hope you all have a wonderful week!! Travel safely!! Hope to see you Sunday!!

Love,

Bethany