Quote:
Originally Posted by Nell
Process,
You make a good point. What a complex system we were all caught into! It's a culture of extremes.
A few years ago I went to a meeting for whatever reason...I ended up there. As I looked around the room, I noticed the faces of the sisters. It was remarkable. Many had an almost a blank look on their faces. Even if they were smiling, their eyes looked hollow. Based on what you've shared, I'll call this a "Stepford" look. I think it is probably very common. I have known one sister in particular for many years, who is the wife of a dominating elder husband. She has had that Stepford look, an almost permanent pained look on her face, as long as I can remember. So you're right, not all elder families were "privileged". Many women try to cope the best they can, and that often means denial.
Nell
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In most areas of my life, I have reached a pretty objective and peaceful place, but I have a couple of odd leftover issues here and there - one is how I react to the word submission. It either makes me feel angry and make an internal fist to fight back or I may have physical reactions, too. Maybe it is some odd form of post-traumatic syndrome? When I hear the word, I think about sister's that behaved just like described in this and the posts by
Process. During a time when I was trying to be a good* and fine* sister, I tried to behave like a stepford wife; the shoe never fit.
Recently, I decided to talk to a wise Christian counselor to gain better perspective of my ideas of submission and so I would stop having the cringe factor. I told the doctor some of the more bizarre memories of life and marriage in the local church. He said it will take some time to be "Normalized" in certain areas like submission. I am looking forward to the Normalization process so I can submit the way God means it. I know my marriage and husband will appreciate when I have a healthier idea on this.
(note to self: walk with God is sweeter and closer when I give up and confess I am not "good" and not "fine" )