I am currently listening to "True Beauty: Cultivating Christ-Centered Father-Daughter Relationships." This set of audio CDs features messages given at the 2008 Father & Daughter Discipleship Retreat sponsored by Vision Forum.

It is unfortunately taking me longer to get through this wonderful set of audio presentations as life has gotten incredibly busy, including an overnight stay for my husband in the hospital, but I wanted to take a moment and finally blog about one disk I finished a bit ago.

This was a joint presentation by Anna Sophia & Elizabeth Botkin. I have long been wanting to read "So Much More" and to see "Return of the Daughters." They are on my wish list for our upcoming homeschool convention (though I'm sad to see Vision Forum) will not be there as usual. Hearing these wonderful girls speak has increased my desire to read their book and see their video.

One of the most striking pieces of advice that these young ladies give to daughters is this: "ask your father how he wants you to spend your free time." Today's feminist society would be horrified. Why should not a young person be able to pursue whatever interests her heart directs her towards?

As I was thinking on this even in the last 24 hours, I was struck with a revelation. A young lady who grows up pursuing only her own interests can easily become a self-centered, self-involved, self- and passion-directed wife and mother who cannot put her own wants and desires to the side while she ministers to her husband and children. Is this not what has happened so often in our society? While the feminists may argue this point, Scripture is clear that we were created to be our husband's help-meet. If we learn how to do this by helping our fathers, we are better equipped to be helpers to our husbands. We will not be chasing after our own desires, our own self-fulfillment, our own hobbies and interests. We will be serving -- as Christ served, as He gave up Himself -- those to whom God has appointed us to serve.

Blessings,
Barb