What does it even mean to be a Godly woman? (Part 1)

I don't know anymore

In the description area when I set up this place for my writings, I decided to say that it was “Musings on life, love, Jesus, and books from a mama of seven.” That pretty well sums it up as almost everything that I talk and write about falls under one or several of those categories. And these writings will definitely be my “musings”, i.e. “a period of reflection or thought.” Meaning there won’t necessarily be a conclusion.

Back in my teens and twenties, most of my communication had a definite conclusion. I had decided what I thought of pretty much everything, and yes, I will gladly tell you what that is. In Bible college, I was told by a fellow student that most of the guys there were intimidated by me because I was tall and had opinions. Oh, the discussions that were had, in many of which I was one of the only girls participating.

Now, in my (late!) thirties, I still have plenty of opinions. But with the more life I’ve lived, I’ve seen that all my neat and tidy boxes of this equals that, are actually quite jumbled and toppling. So many of the things I used to think were so clear aren’t really. Some days, many days, all I’m really sure about is that Jesus is God, and in the end, Love wins. Beyond that, I don’t even know anymore.

And one of the subjects that I’ve recently been pondering quite a bit and that I still don’t know about is “What does it even mean to be a Godly woman?” It’s a concept that I want to drastically shape my days and moments as I try to follow Jesus as a woman, but much of the time I’m not sure what that would even look like.

I find it somewhat humorous that this is an area I’m not clear on, as me of twenty years ago would be completely appalled at myself. At almost 18, I was very sure I knew what being a Godly woman entailed. I had read all the books, worn all the skirts, listened to all the talks. I was waiting on my Prince Charming to come and sweep me off my feet, and since we weren’t going to kiss until our wedding day, I knew we would have a wonderful marriage. (Yes, that’s said sarcastically.) I would submit to my husband in everything, and I would sit quietly in church. I had it all figured out.

Fast forward twenty years: everything I believed on that subject (and many others) has been turned on its head. And now I’m reading all the books again (much different ones), sometimes wearing skirts and sometimes wearing leggings, and listening and talking with others who realize they don’t know it all anymore.

Second Peter 1:3 tells us that God “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness”. I used to think that meant that we would know everything that we needed to know about a subject, but what the rest of the verse (and the following one) actually tells us is that it’s “through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises”. All we need for a godly life is through knowing God, not knowing all the things.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

(This subject of Godly womanhood is something I’m going to continue musing on and as such it will be somewhat of an ongoing series. But don’t worry, that’s not going to be all that I write about!)