2008 - The Year of Women!

I am so excited! Casiday and I have been absolutely engaged in the presidential process this year. She immediately latched on to Hillary Clinton. Even at 8, she saw that as a HUGE thing. At one point she said, "All these years we've had a man as president, maybe a woman would actually listen to people." Out of the mouth of babes!

Anyway, my baby girl was so disappointed when Hillary dropped out. Not really understanding the method of the process, she only saw that "the girl was voted out." I encouraged her to keep listening to what the candidates had to say. To watch Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain and see their part in the process.

Well, today, school got out early so I was leaving to pick Casiday up from school at around 11:45. I recorded the speech by Gov. Palin so Casiday and I could watch it together. When she got in the van I said, "Guess what! Senator McCain has chosen his vice-president and guess who it is!" She immediately got very excited and said, "HILLARY!" I said, "No, not Hillary, but he did choose a woman named Sarah Palin. She has five children and is the governor of Alaska." Casiday was really excited.

You know, I'm really proud of my daughter right now. She's already engaged in the political process. She's already beginning to understand how important it is to pay attention to what people say when they are running for office. She stood with me as I voted earlier this summer in a primary. There were several "straw poll" questions on the ballot and we discussed each of them. I was amazed at her insight. The poll workers were too. In the small room they were able to hear us talking about what the questions meant and how it would be best to vote. She was given an "I Voted!" sticker also. What a great thing - to share the process of governing with my daughter. Eighty-eight years ago, women were given the long-deserved, hard-fought right to vote. This year, we have seen a woman run one of the most effective campaigns in presidential history. And now, for only the second time, we find a woman running on the ticket of a major political party. I am overwhelmed with all of it.

Whether Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, the fact is God has given us the responsibility of being involved in our government - and we, as Americans, have such a great privilege to do so without fear. As a mom, I am so proud to be able to set the example of involvement for my daughter. As a citizen, I am so thankful to know that she is already beginning to understand the great honor of participating in government. As I woman, I am proud to see what Senator Clinton has accomplished and to watch as Governor Palin becomes a
part our great history. As a Christian, I thank God that I live in a country where we are able to be involved in our government.

So, no matter what side of the aisle you sit on, I hope you are involved. And I hope you are not leaving your children out of your involvement. Children learn what is important to us by watching what we do. I spend Thursday mornings as the crisis pregnancy center in our community - Casiday knows that helping women and children is a priority for me. I am involved in mentoring women and teaching God's Word at church - Casiday knows that helping
others grow in their disciple's life is important to me. I watch the news WITH her, we discuss and pray for situations in the world around us - Casiday knows that we have an honor and privilege to pray for others and be a part of our community. I read my Bible in the mornings BEFORE my day gets started - Casiday knows that I value my relationship with God and make it a priority (in fact, she is wanting a new Bible like mine and has decided that she wants to get up earlier so she can read her Bible while I read mine!).

What does your child know about you? Casiday is 8 - she's not a genius, she's just a normal kid. She gets in trouble for her smart mouth, can't ever keep her room clean, doesn't understand that just because you look at some clothes doesn't make them dirty, and she'd rather eat candy than anything else. I say that, not to demean her, but to make it clear that our life is no different from others who have children her age. We have taken the time to educate her and involve her. She often says, "When I grow up I want to be like you, Mom." I used to just smile and say thank you. Now I ask her, "Really? Why?" She has so many reasons but my very
favorite is this, "Because you love God more than anything and you always help me understand what is important to Him and how to live for Him."

Women in Ministry - A Small Rant (or Hissy Fit!)

I'm on this message board for pastors' wives and there has been so much discussion lately about women in ministry. I have to confess that I haven't posted too much because I am not sure how much of my belief I'm willing to put out there. :) I really struggle with the idea that women are somehow less able or less called to ANY ministry than men are. I just don't believe that God gifts ALL of us and then says to SOME of us - "Okay, you have this gift, this ability, and this calling; but, since you are a woman you can't use it fully." To me, that's what we are saying when we say there are ministries or positions a woman cannot hold.

I know the reasoning - "Husband of one wife" - blah, blah, blah... by that standard, only a married man can serve in those positions and even the most conservative of theologians do not espouse that mindset. And, let's not even touch all the other "requirements" listed in that passage - you know, like having your family in order. Geez, if we actually applied that stipulation then any time a pastor's child was not obedient, etc., that MAN would have to give up his position. It's absolutely ridiculous to me that we choose to hold that ONE small part of the passage higher than any other. Basically, the church (especially the evangelical church) has chosen to interpret HUSBAND as MAN and, for the most part, ignore the rest of the guidelines.

I guess this is one of those "Hot Topics" for me. I have a daughter who is bright, intelligent, and articulate (for a seven-year-old). And, when I tell her that God can use her and wants to use her - I don't give any stipulations because I don't believe that there are any. If God calls her to pastor a church or to preach - I want her to fulfill that calling - regardless of what the mindset in our church or any other is. Following God's direction is the most important thing - and I don't ever want her to feel that she is less able or less useful because she is a "girl." I've been there - it's the worst feeling ever. That God has gifted you in an area and for no reason except your gender, the authority over you says, "Nope, you can't do that." It's appalling to me that it is done in the name of Christ - who was by far the most empowering leader for women in all of history.