Monthly Archives: March 2011

The Beauty of Submission

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I know I’m writing on something that is not a popular subject for a lot of women. But the picture I see of submission in the Bible is beautiful!

I’m aware that through the centuries the picture of leadership and submission has been used against women and in many cases still is. I try not to get into the arguments and debates about it mainly because most women I know who disagree with me are far better debaters than I am. They’ve got their arguments well studied and rehearsed and I am no match for them.

But if I was a stronger debater, and knew my Bible better maybe…. I would argue my point more effectively I’m sure.

To me it is simple. A triune God who in eternity knew that one of them, though equal in status and glory, would have to submit, obey and ultimately suffer. Now there’s a picture for you.

Creation of man and woman and the glorious connection they were to have was marred by deception and sin; and it’s been a struggle ever since! I sometimes wonder what would have happened if Eve had said something like ‘Hey honey, what do you think about what this guy is saying about eating the apple?’
Not asking permission… Just asking his opinion about a pretty big decision.
Not a blow to her human rights or her individuality…. Just a consultation with the other stake holder with a vested interest in their life together.

And then there’s the other picture in the New Testament.
Husbands like Christ.
Wives like the Church.
I’m supposed to be willing to live for him and he’s supposed to be willing to die for me. I reckon I get the easier end of the deal on this one.

Now I’m a big, opinionated woman with a fairly strong character. And I married a quiet man with a gentle spirit. Submission doesn’t come naturally to me, nor does authority come naturally to him. We’ve had to work on it. I was quite happy to run our lives and he was quite happy to let me. Then some very good friends pointed that out to us. And we realised why things were wrong in our marriage. I WANTED him to stand up to me, but never allowed him to! It was all wrong.

Now everything is different. I’m still as loud as I ever was and to the onlooker it probably doesn’t look different!

I know I am blessed to be married to someone who doesn’t try to stifle my individuality. And I know that not every Christian woman is married to a man that loves her as Christ loves the Church and gave himself for her.

Maybe submission isn’t beautiful now! But it was meant to be!

Yes! The authority of men has been used against women, yes there are Christian men who wield their authority like a light sabre. And yes there are women who crouch under if in fear.
But I thank my God in Heaven that I don’t. I think it’s beautiful!

Music from my Mammy – Remembering Betty 6 years on

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My Mam died 6 years ago today. She sang this song at births, marriages, goodbyes and any other party that we might have had.
Hearing this song is a memory the whole family shares – so this is for all the Keeleys :)

May you always walk in sunshine,
slumber warm when night winds blow
May you always live with laughter
for a smile becomes you so
May good fortune find your doorway
may the bluebird sing your song
May no trouble travel your way
may no worry stay too long
May you heartaches be forgotten
may no tears be spilled
May old acquaintance be remembered
and your cup of kindness filled
An may you always be a dreamer
may your wildest dreams come true
May you find someone to love
as much as we love you

Music on a Monday – Singing in the Strength of the Lord

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Ten minuets before I was due to sing on Sunday morning I came over all unnecessary! I always feel a bit tired on Sunday mornings. Well every morning actually…. But usually after the practise I’m raring to go.

Just before the service started I felt really unwell. When we sang the first hymn, I didn’t sing a word – didn’t even feel like I could stand up. I was to sing 3 songs and wondered if I’d be able to get to the end of the first one.
The theme of the service was asking the question, Where does your confidence lie? To be honest I was listening but not applying the question to my situation. (Common mistake of mine) As the girl leading the service announced that we were about to sing, in a split second I thought ‘I can’t do this today…’ then I was up off my chair and on the platform.
I looked at the words and saw the first line that I would sing and they were, ‘In Christ alone, my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song.’ I smiled to myself and off I went.

By the time I got to third song (which I had to start on my own as it was new), I felt like I had my mojo back .

My confidence has had a few knocks lately but on Sunday I really felt the strength of God helping me and encouragement to keep my confidence in Him and not myself.

It also reminded me of a blog post from November 2008. I’ve shared a bit below…

“…The other thing that has happened lately is a change in my singing. Well, actually a change in my attitude to my singing. I had this funny feeling after singing a few weeks ago. Didn’t know what it was but it was nice. It happened a couple of times and I probably should have prayed about it but didn’t.

I went into my boss’s office a couple of weeks ago and he has a picture of Eric Lidell on his window ledge. I have seen it loads of times but I picked it up that day and read what was underneath it. It was the (seemingly) famous quote of his. When he runs he feels God’s pleasure. I stopped in my tracks. THAT WAS IT. THAT WAS THE FEELING God’s pleasure.

I couldn’t believe it. I mean I can sing, I know that. But I’m no Kiri Te Kanawa by any means. But sometimes He’s deligted to hear me sing and sometimes lets me know.

And it happended again this evening. What a feeling it is. I am so unworthy of His love, it’s amazing.

My precious Father, help me abide in you and abide in me that I may be better at serving you. I love you Lord!“

Voting for the first time at 38

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Well I finally did it! I voted in a general election for the first time.

I can hear you all, crying ‘SHAME’ Yes I know that people died for my right to vote. But they also died for so that Irish people could be governed with integrity. That doesn’t always happen either!

I have to say, I haven’t ‘not voted’ from apathy. I don’t sit at home thinking, ‘ah stuff it, I couldn’t be bothered.’ I haven’t voted before cos I haven’t thought it mattered, or that it would make a difference. If I see a local counsellor in Tallaght working hard, serving the people with integrity I’m loathed to do anything that might help him to get to the Dáil. The nearer they get to the top the less they can fight for local issues and the more they have to fight for countrywide issues AND more importantly the more they have to compromise on the one thing that makes them worthy of my vote – integrity.

Having said all that, I didn’t vote with enthusiasm last Friday. I am not sure that any party would have done any better. Who’s to say that they would not have been drunk on the same wine as Fianna Fáil? Are you sure they wouldn’t have been blinded by the money and the lure of the bankers and property developers? I’m not.

I acutally kinda like Micheál Martin. But there’s no way they could be allowed back in, I just felt I had to do my part to stop them… even though I hate the fact that now they can sit in opposition and criticise away to their hearts content.

Lastly, I need to clear up the whole nonsense of the , ‘if you don’t vote you don’t have the right to complain.’ Eh actually yes I do! No matter who we vote for or not, the government should govern for us all. The taosieach is our taoiseach whether we voted for him, the other guy or no one at all. He’s supposed to lead a government that rules the country for our good.

So give up yer grousing.
But as I voted this time, it should keep yiz quiet on that one!!!!