inner beauty

How many times have I read this passage from 1 Peter 3:1-7?
Many, and each time, the teaching refreshes and rejuvenates me in my role as a wife. This passage about woman's beauty as taught in the Bible receives different and varied responses and reactions, even among Christians. The part that "trips" many, is on the aspect of submission.

The passage teaches - submission, purity, reverential posture, qentle and quiet nature. My view on this seemingly difficult attribute is that as wives, our submission to our husbands does not equate us to be "door-mats" to be walked over but rather it is a sincere and respectful honouring of our husbands as the head of our households. And such a reverential posture will promote harmony and peace in marital relationship, where there will be less strifes and quarrels, conflicts and arguments. It does not mean the wife's views are not heard, regarded and respected. The husbands are to be considerate towards their wives' feelings, views, insights etc. The wife's submission becomes a natural response to the husband's obedience to the Bible's teaching of loving her in the same way as he loves himself and treating her with much consideration and respect. This kind of true submission wells up sincerely and naturally when it is nurtured with genuine and selfless love. Strictly, the Bible teaches that this attitude of submission is required of wives regardless whether it is deserved or not by husbands who may or may not be as loving and considerate.

This time, the phrase that "jumps out" when I read this passage is from verse 7 - it is beautiful!
"heirs with you of the gracious gift of life" (NIV)
"Heirs" means equal status, share in the same inheritance, deserves and is entitled to. Therefore there is no truth to infer that the Bible treats women as inferior to men when it teaches submission. The teaching must be read in whole.
Actually (NIV) has described it very beautifully -husbands and wives are joint heirs in living out this life together under the supreme and bountiful grace of our LORD GOD. The gift of life itself is by GOD's grace and to be able to live it out in an imperfect, fallen world full of impediments, we truly need the grace of GOD.

Wives, we are heirs with our husbands in the gracious gift of life. Life itself is an inheritance, let's live with great joy and gratitude.

The passage can be found from this link -
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%203:1-7&version=31

Even as I reflect on the above, I think of women whom I observed to have such desirable attributes and I am glad that there are many whom I personally know. What really appeals to me is their "qentle and quiet" nature. I praise GOD that they are role models for me to emulate.
(an elderly missionary wife - who walks her talk in every way; the mother-in-law of my cousin whose reverential posture is seen even in her dressing; my dear friend - young but yet so wise, another dear friend who brought me lots of organic fruits and yet another who is Mrs. Hospitality and many others). May the LORD bless them all.

"Be always listen to your body..."

"Be always listen to your body..." this is what my dear sister tells me after reading about my cycling 8km. She is almost a true blue Dutch, having lived there for over 25 years and her English is a literal translation from Dutch! Yes, I must listen to my body and not over exert. All my friends out there, don't worry...lah. Paul is very watchful; M and W (cycling buddies) are very alert to my physical condition and well-being. It is incredible - GOD has surrounded me with many caring and loving family and friends.

Thinking about her, I am reminded of what I just learnt at the last bible study on Abigail, my sister is very like A, resourceful and full of initiative. I really have to share the main pointers about Abigail. This is one way to crystallise and retain my learning - that is to recount and repeat what I learn. With this blog I don't have to repeat it ten times to ten friends, write it one time and the reach is to many, what a wonderful way to share!

Abigail:
*she is sincere and humble and willing to take the blame in order to placate D's anger
*she recognised that GOD is sovereign
*she is smart and eloquent and unafraid to act
*she is courageous, diplomatic and persuasive
*she is a peacemaker
*she is sensible and calm in the midst of a crisis
*she used her knowledge of GOD with godly wisdom
*she is able to turn something adverse into something favourable
*she majored in the majors and ignored the minors
*her good sense earned her the right to be heard
[one BS lady shared about what she learnt from her pastor's Sunday message of "hindsight, insight and foresight' and the lesson of Abigail seems to show her to be someone with such qualities]

The main take-aways are:
*have the ability to remain effective and fruitful and make good out of the worst of life's situation
*use wisely and sensibly in a God-honoring way, what we already have to maximum advantage to bless ourselves and to bless others
*there is always limitations and hindrances to us living as well as we should, as life is so imperfect, do we gripe and complain or do we press on with courage and good sense
[thanks and credits to our BS teacher HLC]

The passage on Abigail and Nabal is found in 1 Samuel 25:1-42
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Samuel25:1-42&version=31

Well and Good

I have been well and going about my days as normal as I can, by GOD's marvellous grace. Since the last visit to the doctor, he has given me another month free from medication and treatment. It has done me good, without medication I feel better and stronger. I haven't been checking on the M-band, and I try not to think about where it is right now. There are many MM patients who are living "normally" with M bands. Best to just live each day fully, joyfully and gratefully. Do what is within one's ability. If the doctor is not worried neither should I. The next review is first week of August.

In the meantime I have been cycling and gone for clinical Pilates - all to stretch and strengthen my muscles. The physiotherapist is loosening up my tight joints and muscles; and teaching me exercises that will straighten my back.

I have resumed weekly bible study which has been a tremendous encouragement to me. I had to skipped one week due to a "bad" tummy but the BS teacher has been very kind and gracious despite my intermittent attendance.

Look at our cycling group with our bikes hanging on the post while we stopped to have a simple breakfast together. It is really wonderful to spur one another to regular exercises. Without mutual encouragement it is very easy to slack. I probably would cycle a lesser distance and likely to stop more often if there aren't others to work out with me. Now I can do about 8km return.

To GOD be the glory, great things He has done in each of our lives.