Most Important Thing

By Jill Palmer

I want you to stop and think for a moment about what is important to you? What is a goal or a dream that God has given you? What promise are you aching to see fulfilled?

God promised to Abraham, Issac and Jacob a promised land. A people that would outnumber the stars in the sky. He miraculously delivered the people from Egypt and took care of them in the desert in the same way - with miracles. Yet the people still doubted Him.

In Exodus 33 God says to Moses,
“Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ ² I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. ³Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”

God was going to fulfill His promises. He would deliver them into the promise land, give them everything He said He would, fight all the necessary battles...yet He was not going to go with them.

What would you do if God said that to you?

"I will give you... a great church/a great marriage/children/the perfect job/deliverance from your problems/all your hopes and dreams (whatever it is that He's promised you and you are contending for). But I will not go with you."

How would you respond to that? Our response reveals a lot about our heart, our deepest desires and our relationship with God.  

Moses' response reveals much about this man of faith. He says,
"If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. ¹⁶ How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?....Show me your glory”

Moses knew what the most important thing was - God presence. Without it what would they have? Nothing! Sure they'd have the promise, they'd have a land flowing with milk and honey, they'd have their enemies defeated, but they wouldn't have the most important thing -- their God.


I believe God can answer any of my prayers and answer them beyond what I could ask, think or imagine. But do I want Him to if He isn't with me to rejoice with Him? Do I want the perfect marriage or kids or even the perfect church if He isn't in the midst of it all? Truly? No stinkin' way.

Did I come to that easily? No. There was wrestling. There are prayers I have that I am desperate for Him to answer. But in the end, I want Him. Only Him. The Maker. The Lover of my soul. The Most Important Thing.

Think again of the goals, dreams, promises God has given you. After this encounter with Moses (in which He revealed to Moses His presence!) God gave the Israelites everything He promised them and He went with them. 

He will do the same for you. He hasn't forgotten. He knows that the most important thing is His presence and He wants you to know that too, because He loves you.

Be a Tree

By Tawna Wilkinson 

 

One morning, late in spring, during a very dark period in my life, I was blankly staring at an apple tree just outside my dining room window. The morning sun had just peeked over the mountain and was glistening on, and rustling, the leaves. 

But I wasn’t focused on the tree, or the beauty of the morning, as much as I was fixed on a raw, painful thought: What does a person have to do in order for transformation of the heart to actually take place?

A couple of months prior, I had been on staff as the children’s pastor at the church I was attending. I loved the children and the ministry, and was zealous and passionate; working many long hours in order to bring about the vision God had given me. In fact, that was the story of my life, in and out of church, as long as I could remember. 

My family of origin’s motto was work hard and do a hundred percent at all times, carrying with it the connotation that hard work brought about one’s value. The denomination I grew up in taught that if Jesus had really transformed your heart you would do, do, and do for Him, because that’s what loving Jesus looked like. 

And I did love Jesus. I had come to Him at a young age, and wanted very much to please Him.  So, my modus operandii was full throttle, no matter what, especially when the kingdom of God was involved.

But deep below the surface of my hardworking zeal was a yawning, cavernous void I kept trying to fill with all the activity. I was desperately trying to muster a sense of worth. I had no idea I already had value…intrinsic value, simply because God loved me and created me; that my worth had never been contingent upon any activity; and that transformation of my heart was a simple, yet extravagant transaction: God sending His love to me, and me receiving it. 

So, I stayed with what I knew until I burned out and drove the ministry in the ground.

Needless to say, the next months were spent in a counselor’s office unearthing all kinds of ugly, pain, confusion and disillusionment, while wrestling with the belief that I did have value, and learning how to love myself enough to receive the love He was sending right where I was at.

So that morning, pensive with the question and vacantly staring at the apple tree, God spoke out of the quietness: “What does a tree have to ‘do’ in order that photosynthesis takes place?”

“What?”

“What does a tree have to ‘do’ in order that photosynthesis takes place?”

Refocusing my gaze on the sun rustling the tree’s leaves, I intelligently replied:

“Uh…receive light?”

“Exactly.”

Boom.  I knew I had heard.  My mind and spirit were racing with the information welling up in me.

Photosynthesis:  “The process by which chlorophyll-containing cells in green plants convert incident light to chemical energy and synthesize organic compounds from inorganic compounds, especially carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water with the simultaneous release of oxygen.”  (The American Heritage Dictionary)

Bam.  Photosynthesis: The miraculous process that transforms the light the apple tree’s leaves receive into food energy, instigating internal assimilation, and vitality throughout its system, and then, as a mere consequence, releases oxygen into the atmosphere.

In other words, life happens inside the apple before life emerges from it.  And the only thing it has to “do” for that to take place, is receive light through the chlorophyll-containing cells in its leaves.

He spoke, again.

“Simply be a tree, Tawna.”

In that instant, I realized my value was innate, simply because Love loved and created me. And that all the activity I would I ever need to “do” in order that genuine transformation of my heart take place was simply receive Light through my “chlorophyll-containing leaves”… my love-designed, heart, mind and soul.  Then He would miraculously do the “doing” in me…as well as outside of me.

So, my encouragement to you?  Be a tree.

Parenting... it's worth it.

By Jen Kline

At the Marriage dinner Jill shared her heart about marriages and new beginnings and I thought to myself how beautiful it is when we can say something is hard, but it’s worth it. I totally agree with her. And then I think about parenting and being a mom and wife and all the things that come with leading a child into all the intricacies of who God created them to be and I think about the glimpses of who I see with each passing year and I see the same thing that is true about marriage is also true about parenting...it is hard, but it’s so worth it.

I’m thankful for the gift of a child. When Grace (my oldest) was born, my first thought literally was, “I do not deserve this beautiful gift.” (I did not understand my identity in Christ at the time)

My second thought was, “ I did not DO THIS. I was the vessel God used to bring this creative beautiful gift to the world, but I really had no part in it other than carrying her and nurturing her while I ate lots of rice and strawberries and drank orange pop (that's a word for soda in Minnesota). I realized that this gift was so precious to God - He trusted me with her! It was then that I began to realize the true love of God.


After about three weeks of being hunkered down in my house with my precious gift, I decided to venture out with my little brother, Austin, and take her for a walk in our neighborhood. I walked her two blocks down the road in a covered stroller in the horribly muggy month of May in Buffalo, Minnesota! We lived very close to a lake so the mosquitos and bugs were out in full force!

The minute I heard the buzzing little insects flying around her precious skin, I turned around and headed back to the house. The world was just too dangerous for this beautiful gift. I didn’t want her to get hurt. I didn’t want her to experience the things I had experienced. I didn’t want her to be disappointed. I only wanted the best for her. I didn’t realize how hurt I was. I didn’t know my wounds - I just knew I wanted to protect her from all of it. These conditions were too harsh for this precious person. She was too valuable.

As I type this tears are flowing… (I think blogs are really journals disguised as literature ;) So it is in that context (my parenting) that God began me on a journey to understand why I needed him and who I was in him. I needed to understand that so I could show Grace how valuable it was for her. He was showing me why he was valuable and why I needed to receive his love. He felt the exact same way about me that I felt about my daughter. His heart broke when mosquitoes came too close ;) His heart broke when I was sad or disappointed. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for me. It was with those understandings of the preciousness of a child that God began to break my heart, soften it and draw me closer to him.

The Holy Spirit partnered with me the minute my daughter was born. He was there, I heard him. He will not leave or forsake us as we parent. He is close. With every question, he has an answer. With every worry, he’s there to hand it off to. He will do this with us as we position ourselves to hear him. I’m so thankful for that.

It is with this background that I lead our children in riverKIDS and I share my heart with you. I see the preciousness of each child. I see the heart behind each little Garanimals sweatshirt. I look for the beauty in each child that is the image of God. Speaking encouragement to them is my favorite thing to do. Encouraging others to appreciate, see, hear, know and love our kids is my hearts cry. I love letting people know that God builds some amazing things into these people we call kids. We get to slow down, watch for it, talk to them, receive what they have to offer and watch God move. I believe kids are the purest form of his image. If we allow them to be who he created them to be, we will see it.

If we seek him as we parent we will find what we are looking for. The answers will mostly be something he desires to teach us about ourselves (as I’ve learned). The answer will come through the words of the Bible, a beautiful kind loving word, a picture or maybe a gentle breeze.

Matthew 6:33 (MSG) “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”

And as you do that, your bright-eyed beautiful precious children will watch you walk out the grace and goodness of God in front of them. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it, I promise.

Listening

By Megan Danquah

Listening.

We are taught from an early age that listening is important, and it is! Listening to our parents, listening to our siblings, listening to our teachers.  Listening to our pastors, bosses, coworkers, friends. Listening to God. I have a question for us, ladies. When was the last time that we were encouraged to listen to ourselves? When, woman of God, was the last time you were encouraged to stop, focus on yourself, get quiet, and listen to what is going on inside of you right this minute? This day? This week? This month? This season of your life? 

We have loud voices surrounding us all the time, demanding our ear. Most of them are good voices and require our care and time. We are busy women who are many times pulled in a hundred directions at once.

But have you stopped, anytime recently, to listen to that little girl inside, full of hopes and dreams for the future, untainted by the pressures and expectations of life? Have you lent an ear to that teenage girl within who is cautious yet risky, fearful and insecure yet beginning to discover the beauty that lies within herself? When was the last time you engaged that woman inside, tending to her children, husband, job, paying bills, putting food on the table, cleaning the house, doing the daily grind over and over again? Isn’t she important to listen to? Isn’t she the one that God entrusted all those beautiful responsibilities with because she is valuable and worthy and because her voice is powerful? 

I recently had a life-changing experience with listening to myself. In 2011 my oldest turned five and we decided to put her in public school, even though I wanted to try out homeschooling. I had just given birth to our third daughter over the summer and because of this I was exhausted.

After Kindergarten and 1st grade, we decided that I would give homeschooling a shot. We got through second grade and then we took a job in another state, moved here to Colorado and, without a second thought, I began homeschooling again in the fall with my (now) third grader and my middle daughter in Kindergarten. Without fail, every Sunday night, I would have a meltdown, whether internally or externally about how much I was dreading the coming week, trying to make my kids enjoy what we were doing at school even though I wasn’t enjoying it myself.

At Christmas-time, I was in the bathroom one day, having yet another meltdown, and, as the tears began coming, this time I asked myself what they were saying to me. What was happening inside of me that was causing this negative reaction to homeschooling?

I listened. Do you know what I heard?  I heard the cries of a woman who needed some space and time, who was overwhelmed and burnt out. A woman who was desperately in need of space to pursue some things that she was passionate about, things that would give her life again. And, this time, instead of allowing her voice to be drowned out, I gave her room and embraced all that she was communicating. I took her seriously.

After a few weeks of processing with my husband and some trusted friends, I made the decision to enroll my girls in public school again. It’s been a little over a month ago that we made this life change, and, girlfriends, I couldn’t be happier! The peace and vision that returned to my life is incredible. I know that I made the right decision for me! For my family! My girls are happy and thriving—growing and enjoying their time at school. Our home life has improved and I am happy again. All because I gave a listening ear to myself and my soul. I embraced me and what was happening inside, even though there were some fears attached, and it has made all the difference.

So, friend, I want to encourage you today to put the kettle on, pour yourself a hot cup of tea or coffee, and sit down for some one-on-one time with……you!  You’ll be the better for it. I promise.    

An Artist's Calling

By Tiffany Bleger

Exodus 35:30 introduces a man who would become vital to the nation of Israel. The NLT translation reads:

"Then Moses told the people of Israel, “The LORD has specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. The LORD has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft." (Exodus 35:30-33 NLT)

God specifically called Bezalel, a craftsman from the tribe of Judah, to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle. To build the dwelling place of Yahweh. The Bible does not say that he was a great manager or overseer, however. It says that he was "a master at every craft."

My spirit finds a significance to that. God did not choose someone whose natural giftings were in leadership and delegation. He chose someone gifted in an art form that would bring beauty to His dwelling place. I'm certain that as Bezalel led the other craftsman in this immense project, God supplied the necessary leadership ability. But the man who started this project was not noted as a leader. And, through the next four chapters, we see the plans given to Moses on the mountaintop come to life through the hands of a craftsman. 

I can't help but wonder what life was like for Bezalel before he was given this task. Was he old? Young? Appreciated for his craft and respected by all? Or ignored, looked down upon, rejected? Was he ridiculed for his gift, this God-given talent that didn't fit the norm for a man in this era? Somehow, I imagine a man, middle aged, but strong and muscular.  He'd have to be strong in order to carve wood and lift kettles of molten gold all day. His hands were delicate, however, probably smaller than most and incredibly sensitive. It required amazing dexterity and coordination to work in gems and cloth with the skill Bezalel obviously had.  

But what was this man like? Did he stand tall, secure in his identity and gifts? Did he know from a young age that he was destined for greatness, that his talents would be used in an incredible way someday? Or did he struggle with doubts and insecurity, wondering why God had given him talents that didn't seem to fit in?  Did he ever consider giving up, switching careers?  Did he struggle to find his place within the tribe?

I wonder if we feel the same way today. We have each been given a measure of talent, special gifts we are to use.  Father gives each of us these gifts to benefit the body of Christ and to point others to the glory of God.  Some of those gifts fit easily into the mold of "church service" that our Christian society has created. But some of us, probably most of us, have talents that seem unusable to God. Talents are different enough from what we see on a Sunday morning that we wonder if there's any use for us at all.

Do you hide your gifts? Have you allowed a dream from your youth to die because you didn't see a place for your talent within the tribe? 

My prayer for you today is that you would allow this passage of Scripture to breathe life into your spirit. Reread Exodus 35-39. Notice everything this seemingly obscure craftsman made for his God. Notice the skill, the giftings this man had to have in order to accomplish this enormous task. And let the Living Spirit speak to you about the talents and gifts He has given you. Let Him reawaken those gifts you've allowed to wither. Perhaps the tribe is simply not ready yet for the tabernacle you will build. But they will be. And it's your job to hone those skills until the day you are called by Father to use them.  

Talents, Time & Treasure

By Esther Belin

Dear Readers,
I am honored to be a guest blogger.  I have been praying that God would direct me because I tend to complicate simple tasks.  I retreat.  I ponder.  I meditate.  All these things are wonderful to produce great writing, but my problem was that I never got around to the actual writing.  I often say that I am writing in my head – which is true – however the problem with that type of writing is it is only for me (and I rarely remember the masterpieces composed in my head).  I never used to think there was anything wrong with that until I realized God gave me the love and gift of writing to fulfill part of His will.  So here I am, a guest blogger – writing with the sole purpose of giving God the glory.  This commitment was renewed during a study on the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30 NLT).

This parable is amazingly simple yet mysteriously complex which is probably the reason Jesus taught using parables.  Out of his compassion, he used examples humanity could grasp.  I laugh as I write that last sentence because I feel like I have only recently grasped the meaning!  I was familiar with the lessons of being a good steward of God’s money and possessions, but I never really thought about being a good steward of my spiritual gifts and time.  If I believe God created each person with their own unique giftings and He created time, then of course both gifts and time should be used to bring Him glory.  We limit ourselves when we hide our talents (pun intended).  But more importantly, we limit the building of God’s kingdom.

Understanding the context to stories, parables or people has deepened my Bible studies.  Because the Bible provides only minimal information about the servants and the Master, it can be easy to disassociate from the parable.  Yet because the Bible is truth, we can assume that the servants would have similar emotions/motives/responses we would.  Because the Master entrusted select servants (rather than business partners, family members or friends) with his money reveals fascinating qualities.  Did the Master not have any trustworthy business partners, family members or friends?  Or was the Master just a cool boss who was giving his employees a career opportunity?  If your boss handed over part of her/his personal fortune (a talent is like a million dollars) while s/he went on a long vacation, what would you do? 

Ultimately, what you do with the money depends on how well you know the Master.  I believe that the Master wanted to bless her/his employees and that is the reason why s/he entrusted the money accordingly – and in that sense, it was a test.  I also believe that each employee knew the Master to be kind and generous.  Two of them were challenged by this opportunity, and they accepted it because they knew their Master was kind and generous.  Did they know how to make more money?  Did they know anything about investment? Perhaps, but maybe not.  It seems the first servant had some knowledge about investment, but the second servant “went to work.”  

Our culture in the U.S. is all about the opposite of work.  As a culture, we are aware of the work ethic that founded this country, yet that ethic is very much buried by an entitlement ethic – that we deserve to be happy and wealthy with the freedom to do what we want.  In short, I had to finally position myself to go to work for God.  In order to get to that place I grieved over my past choices to work for my own ideas of happiness, wealth and freedom.  Then, I spent some time in His word trying to figure out what the will of God is for my life.  After much retreating, pondering and meditating, God whispered that I am in His will. Now I am just eager to go to work. 

The process was not easy because I had been so worried (which was a diversion from the enemy) that I was missing out; I almost lost hope until I realized the enemy was creating chatter in my head.   The chatter created confusion, doubt and fear, and would have destroyed my desire to write because I couldn’t hear God’s voice.

Psalm 25:14 states: “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant” (ESV).  

The KJV replaces “friendship” with “secret.” Of course God whispers when he is telling secrets! What he was telling me was only for me to know.  He was whispering my part in fulfilling his will – based on my abilities! 

I have asked God many times to reveal to me things in my life – and He has, however I haven’t always been ready to hear it.  Maybe he revealed this same information to me years ago and my heart simply was not positioned to receive it.  I am thankful He is a faithful and consistent God who patiently waited for me.  My prayer is for each of you to reaffirm your belief in a Master who wants to bless you – to create opportunities to hear His whispers.

Testimony Tuesday - The Tiny Details

Some days it’s in the tiny details!

How do you pick just one thing to give testimony from when there are MONTHS filled with so much. Today I was reminded of the tiny details of our lives and how much Our Father loves us and wants us to Love and Trust Him.

The past few weeks have been truly unique. Learning to listen and respond to God’s voice. Some things are big and important. Others are small and simple like what and when to eat, what way to go home, and the reason for this story - what to wear. In most instances the reason is clear by the end of the day.

It’s February in Durango and warm layers are my norm, Long John's, jeans, layers, boots, etc. I am ALWAYS cold and can curl up in a blanket on a 90* day. This morning, like many of my mornings, the day started with quiet prayers about friends, family and of course wondering what His plan was as well. I get on about the morning and it’s time to pick out what the rest of the world sees me in. A sleeveless tank top with a cardigan is the direction I was sent… really, this is what we are going with?!?! Ok. Fine. Did you [God] remember that it’s winter out there?











Well out the door I went, grabbing a warmer jacket to keep in the car just in case. Can you believe that as the day progressed not only did the jacket never leave my car, but on a walk on the river trail off came my scarf and cardigan? It turned out to be warm, sunny and I was grateful to be in that sleeveless tank top.

Now to the revelation of this simple thing. I was reminded for the umpteenth time; “why are you having trouble trusting me? You know in your head and even deep down in your heart that I will take care of you.” 

Now there was need for a scripture search and this is the one that kept coming to mind along the river trail this warm sunny February day.

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

All that to be said, I’m learning to trust in the small things. Daily growing and learning to hear Our Fathers voice and how He chooses to reveal Himself in the tiny details of my life. Simple things like “wear a tank top in February” and actually choosing to listen.

Are you willing to learn how He speaks to you and follow even in the tiny details?

Canceling the Noise

By Kim Beach

31,000 feet

168 people

4 hours

1 airplane

Some passengers are working.  Many read and a lucky few find a way to sleep.  But rarely do people talk except to answer the stewards inquiry of drink choice or to ask their neighbor to excuse them as they exit the row for a restroom.  Even people traveling together are quiet. 

Why do 168 travelers packed inside one tiny flying can, sitting mere centimeters apart not communicate?

Noise.

There's no escaping the noise of an aircraft.  It's a constant assault on our auditory sense. When you enter, recorded announcements encourage you to hurry to your seat.  Fans are blowing in the ramp-way.  People are jostling for overhead luggage space.  Children are crying.   And in the background, the engines are at a high pitched whine as they idle.

Then the doors shut.  The announcements continue and the engines come to life.  That annoying whine becomes a constant roar. 

It just becomes too hard to keep up a conversation.  So instead of battling the noise and repeating yourself or risk miscommunication, we withdraw into our own universe.

In-flight noise seems to be a problem on many levels.  Psychologists are studying the effects of the constant noise on the mental health of pilots and stewards.  Audiologists warn us of the hazards to our hearing from the constant exposure to the engines constant  decibel  over prolonged periods of time.  NASA scientists are studying how to insulate airplane walls, windows and seats in order to reduce noise while flying.

But until new planes are built,  we travel on in silence, creating our own universe within the 18-inch space of our airplane seat. 

We do the same in our seat at church.

Women are created for Life.  We are created for Fellowship.  We are created for Relationship.  Yet, we often isolate ourselves, choosing to believe the lie of the enemy -  life is messy; Fellowship requires time and effort; Relationship makes you vulnerable to hurt, and it is just not worth the hassle.

But the benefits of Relationship outweigh the cost of being alone.

If the enemy can separate you from the body of Christ, then his lies become a distorted truth to your ears. 

Alone.  You are alone.  Alone is easier.  No one cares anyone.  Its too hard to make friends.  Alone.  Alone is safer.  No one can hurt you if you don't share your journey.  Alone.  All  you need is God.  You don't need fellowship.  Alone.  Alone.  Alone is easier.  Alone.  Alone.

In time, Alone becomes Lonely and then we begin to tell ourselves that no one cares about us, knows who we are and we are just not important.

NOISE -  the lie of the enemy!

You are an essential, amazing part of the Body of Christ.  His Church!  It is filled with fascinating women.  Amazing stories.  Witty antidotes.  There are tales of struggles and Miracles; of failure and Redemption.  The women standing next to you in the coffee line, washing their hands beside you in the bathroom and worshiping in the row in front of you are filled with Wisdom.

And you are worth knowing too!  You are needed!  Wanted!

You have a vital, important, amazing story to share.  A story someone needs to hear!  Scream against the noise of the world and declare the Truth of God -  "I am part of Christ's Church!  I need other people and they need me!"" 

As you stand in God's Word and His Truth, the roaring noise of the world will become silent in light of the Truth! 

God's Word

1 Corinthians 12:27  "Now you are the body of Christ, and one of you is part of it."

Galatians 6:2 "Carry one another's burdens and in this way you will fulfill

the law of Christ."

Titus 2 (MSG) Guilder older women into lives of reverence . . .  By

looking at then, the younger women will know how to love

their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a

good house, be good wives.