Friday, April 23, 2010

Back Home Again & Other Thoughts

We are back in Ohio! Actually, we've been here for about two weeks now, but I haven't had time to post anything on here. :-)
It was so nice to be able to spend so much time with my family in Florida! I can't wait for the day when we are all neighbors! Hopefully that will be soon. It was hard leaving them.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our trip:

Brianna :)

Brason :)

Beri- Isn't she cute!!!??

Mom at a neat little shop we visited one afternoon. :-)


Ben after rescuing Pat. C. from a tree :)

Amanda :)

Another cute one of Beri! :)

Josh ( in the white t-shirt), Dad ( in the yellow t-shirt) and Ben ( in the black t-shirt) walking towards the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C during the Healthcare Bill Opposition Rally that we took part in.

Josh and I in Front of the Capitol Building.

Mom, Dad, and a few of the kids at Alexander Springs :)



Mom looked so pretty in her dress and hat! :)

Josh and I at the beach! It was REALLY windy that day! :)

We went to a part where you can drive right down to the water. It was fun!


I really miss everybody down there. Hopefully It won't be too long before we see them again!

For the last few days I've been thinking about just how blessed I really am. Yesterday Josh came home a little early, which I always love! :) The windows were all open because it was absolutely beautiful outside, the birds were singing, there was bread baking in the oven, my husband was here with me, and I thought to myself, 'This is what fairytales are made of!!'
Life isn't always perfect. We have our share of hard times and bad days, but some days I just have to step back and think, ' It doesn't get any better than this!' I am so thankful for all of the blessings that God has given me. It is certainly more than I deserve.

A few days ago I was on Facebook reading comments on a post a friend made about submitting to our husbands. She simply quoted Ephesians 5:22-24 and said she was praying for the strength and humility to obey that command. What followed was over 50 comments on wether or not God actually does want wives to submit to their husbands. It amazed me what some people will go through to justify their decision not to submit to their husbands! What saddened me even more though, was something one of her "anti-submission" friends said at the end of a very long comment. She said "I'm soooo much more than just a wife and mother and am quite frankly sick of people seeing me as just those two things." This strikes me as very sad, and I could not disagree with her more!
What a blessing she is missing! It was obvious from her whole comment that she is a career minded woman with an "I'll do my thing and he can do his, and he better not try and tell me what to do" mentality. I guess a lot of women think that way.
There is no "just" in being a wife! Being a wife is to be your husbands best friend, closest advisor, encourager, comforter, lover, and helpmeet. Marriage done right is one of the most powerful institutions in the world. A husband and wife who are doing God's will and working together as one can save lives and accomplish great things for the Lord! Look at the woman in Proverbs 31. It is obvious that her and her husband are in compete agreement, and through her actions and help her husband becomes a well respected and well known man, she is happy ( she smiles at the future), and loved and respected by her children and husband.
Just because we are submitting to our husbands, doesn't mean that we are any less important than he is. We are just embracing our God-given role as helpmeet, and allowing him to embrace his God-given role as leader so that our family can receive the blessings that God has for us. Marriage is supposed to be an illustration of God's relationship with the church.
To be a wife is the most holy and beautiful thing God can ask us ladies to be, and to be a mother is a close second in my mind. What an honor to be given a new little life to nourish and protect and teach! How can you belittle such and honor? You are raising up the next generation of men and women. How you raise them will affect thousands, maybe millions of people. This cannot be taken lightly, or brushed off as a mere distraction from your agenda.
I am partly talking to myself here, because there are many areas in my life that are not as they should be. I'm not anywhere close to a perfect wife, and I suppose I never will be, but I pray that I am getting CLOSER to perfect as time goes on. It takes a lot of effort, I'm finding. ;-)
I welcome any comments and opinions you may have!

7 comments:

LadySnow said...

I love seeing all of your pictures from your trip. I miss the beach. Hopefully I can get back to my parents beach house someday. :-)


As for your friend...it's too bad that she received so many negative comments on her question. If people see me "just" as a mom and wife. That is fine. It's a huge responsibility. It's really sad to see so many women think it's not important. It's just something to do to them. (Everyone has a husband, 2 kids, house and a career...That is just the mindset for a lot of people.) I thank the Lord everyday for the blessings in my life. I wouldn't change anything.

Jenna said...

I'm so glad you arrived home safely!
I enjoyed reading your post. Thank you for sharing the many photographs.
Have a blessed Friday!

Many Blessings,
Jenna

P.S. I completely agree with you... The Bible tells wives to submit to their husbands. We must pray for those who don't agree, that God would fill their hearts with love and submission!

The Dearborns said...

Oh my, I can't believe how BIG everyone is getting! Brason was a baby in a walker last time I saw your family! :( I am so glad you had such a nice time in Florida! :)
Great post too; Satan loves to attack the fundamentals of God's plan and so many well-intentioned people are confused and in the dark. I know I have done my fair share of justification for certain things through the years; I just pray that God will keep my eyes and heart open to His truth!

Amanda said...

Hello, Brittany!

I loved seeing all your pictures! I'm glad ya'll had a great time in Florida. It was wonderful to visit with your dad and sisters at the Father and Daughter Retreat!! Missed you, though! :(

I really enjoyed your post. Even though I'm not a wife (though I hope to be someday) :) alot of what you said could be applied somewhat to the Father- Daughter Relationship.

Can't wait to see more pictures from your trip!

Love,
Your Sister in Christ, Amanda :)

Michele said...

Hello Brittany,
It was so nice getting to spend some time with you while you were here. It also breaks my heart when I see so many moms who keep looking for fulfillment everywhere except with what God has called them to. Only He can give us the peace and contentment that we long for. God's way always brings joy and life. Your post was well written. Looking forward to more pictures.
Blessings,
Mrs. Hope

Laura {{* *}} said...

I became aware of the dialogue on the submission topic through a friend
who had been part of it.

It was a vivid reminder to me that how I walk in yieldedness to my God & to my husband
is a reflection of my heart condition,
which becomes my countenance.
Women are watching & listening.
Women need to see
what freedom through submission looks like.
How I fall & get back up again,
that is part of the picture too.

Brittany, you have wisdom beyond your years...
which is the fruit of your mama's hand,
whom I also know to be a submissive woman to your father.

A worthy post topic, indeed.

{{* *}}

Brad said...

Josh looks like he's having fun playing in the sand. :P