Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Biblical Submission and Kitchen Counters

So my dear Puppa Bear set this blog-thing up. Thought it would be cool since all the cool people have these and this way "we" have something together on top of our individual xangas. While he set it up I was trying to think of what insightful, relevant story I could tell about the joys of married life. I unloaded the dishwasher while I pondered and as I did that it hit me... The countertops!!

I like to climb up and stand on the countertops. (I did this while I unloaded the dishwasher and Andree worked on the blog...) I'm short. Vertically challenged. Petite. I've been doing it since I was a kiddo because it's hard for me to reach things and I'm just that resourceful. In our sweet little kitchen I can only reach about the second shelf in our cabinets. That makes it rather difficult for me to put away a great number of things so I hoist myself up on top of the counters so I'm standing on them and can easily reach into and on top of the cabinets.
Andree does not like this. I'm not entirely sure why. I think he's afraid I'll lose my balance and fall off and maybe crack my head open or something. (Which being the multi-talented woman that I am is quite probable.) When he comes in the kitchen and I'm standing on the counters he comes and picks me up off them and removes the item from my hand and puts it away himself. You should have seen his face when I told him I decided on my topic while I was standing on the countertops. (He's so cute sometimes...)

So yes, this is my first blog and it's about countertops. Really though it's about what I'm learning (other than to make a pile of all the "too high" stuff for my husband to put away for me): How blatant is it in Scripture to be submissive to your husband? I think if it wasn't so clearly commanded the world would struggle less with the concept of Biblical marriage and roles.
"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands... For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." (1 Peter 5:1, 5-6)

That's pretty obvious. And now I have a real-life husband and an opportunity to not only practice this but to live my life this way! No more of the "well I'm called to support your leadership and help you learn to lead but you're not my husband so I don't have to submit to you!" (the Biblical response to following our brothers in the Lord when they decide we need to eat a jar of pickles while holding our breath--though the attitude may need to be adjusted). This may be a stupid issue to try to grow in submission over but at the same time life is about all the little things and our responses to them so often. God has graciously provided me with a wonderful husband who has gently requested--repeatedly--that I not climb up and stand on top of the counters. And so I am going to learn to submit to him by not climbing on the countertops! I will 1. be sure we acquire our very own step stool that helps me reach to the top of the cabinets ASAP and 2. not climbing on the counters and instead ask him to help me!! (Bonus two things to work on at once! Submission + humility!! Being a wife is sanctifying!!)

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, Oh boy, a neewww blog! I got first comment. ;)
I have issues reaching our cabinets too. A step stool would be a good thing! Thanks for your example of wanting to grow in submission. Love you!

Anonymous said...

I just want you guys to know how much I love you......a whole lot! Thanks for your encouraging post, Becca....I'll be checking up on this new space often. Can't wait to see you in a couple weeks!

Anonymous said...

Oh joy. This will be fun.

Definitely a good point with the whole "I don't have to submit because you're not my husband yet". Hahaa...so good! I know those tendencies!

Thanks for your example - I can't wait to hear all about everything that you learn! Love you!