Monday, September 29, 2014

Do You Conform To The Norm - September 29th


“Nontheless, it should be frankly admitted that for many modern Christians and Jews, “the valorous woman” (of Proverb 31) is hard to appreciate. A (woman) student at a prestigious urban university observed, “This is not the kind of woman we’ve learned to admire!” It is indeed the case that women whose work is primarily at home are accorded little public admiration in our society. But the problem of appreciating this woman goes even deeper than that. It will not do to make facile comparisons between the biblical figure and the suburban housewife, or alternately between her and the modern career woman. The difficulty of appreciation lies in the profoundly different social structure and function of the home in modern technological culture, and it is a difference that encompasses men’s lifestyles and work as much as women’s. For virtually all of us, the home is primarily a place of consumption rather than production. Very few households in our highly industrialized culture aim at self-sufficiency or produce any significant portion of their own food or clothing.”
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs
Ellen F. Davis

Is your home a place of consumption or of production?

What have we made of our homes?

Why does the work have to be done outside of the home?

Why do we need to leave our family to be productive?

What really makes us happy or fulfills us with joy?

Conforming to the social norm?


Or finding our own destiny?

10 comments:

  1. Great quote! I always tell my kiddos to be themselves, my hubby always tells them to act normal.... I have always wonder who gets to determine what normal is?
    I think everyone should define their own normal and live life by their own standards :)

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  2. It's the golden rule that applies to so many aspects of our life

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  3. I definitely do not conform to anyones norm.. i have always been myself and did what i feel is right for myself and my family.

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  4. lovely quote! I am a rebel at heart and do pretty much as I please -- for as long as nobody is hurt in the process. and I al wiling to take responsibility whatever is the outcome.

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  5. This is an awesome quote. I figure we are all our own person and have always told my kids this too. I don't think anyone knows what the real meaning of normal is for sure. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I agree. What you give is what you get. Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.

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  7. Most of the time I don't worry about what other think/feel/react to what I do--my goal in life it not to please everyone! I was put on this earth to give glory to a higher power--at times that might even mean making family upset, thankfully a good portion of my family believe as I do so they understand. I've often told my children -They were given to me to raise feed & protect and teach them to love GOD-I was chosen to be a Mom not a gienie -granting them their EVERY WISH!

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  8. Great reflective questions! I have been really focused on doing my work within my home and within myself and I feel so much more fulfilled because of it. I believe the work starts from within and then you will see your efforts rewarded in your relationships :)

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  9. What is normal? Be a good person, treat others with respect and thoughtfulness - basic staples, right?

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  10. There are so many proverbs that can get us to really think.

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