Chapter 1 Response

J and I read Chapter 1 together last night. This is going to be a very thought-provoking book; we came face to face with ideas and thoughts that we have had at the back of our minds, but not really discussed yet. For instance, the fact that we must take our responsiblity seriously in helping our daughters (and sons) find suitable mates. To quote the book, "We must walk with our daughters through this process of finding a suitable husband. We must also actively protect our daughters from men who do not measure up to God's standard" (pp. 14-15). It is as simple as that - it isn't our standard; it is God's, and we must be sober-minded when coming alongside our children in helping them evaluate potential suitors.

I agree with Laurie's comments regarding the qualifications of a husband: Not only must he be a Christian, but it matters what kind of Christian he is. Is he reformed? Does he take his walk with the Lord seriously? Is his relationship with the Lord of the utmost importance? Does he attend Church as much as he possibly can? Is he committed to the Lord and his family, no matter what it takes? Is he willing to deny himself for the sake of the Lord and his family? There are so many questions to consider when evaluating potential suitors. I appreciate Voddie's statement that it is our responsiblity as parents to teach our children what the requirements are in looking for a God-honoring spouse, and to encourage them not to settle for less than God's best for them (pp. 17-18).

In the beginning of the chapter, the book states that we all know deep down that God is the author of marriage, and understand that marriage is sacred (p. 14). Voddie also states that, "A young man who is worthy of a wife will have a clear understanding of the covenantal nature of marriage. He will also have a healthy apprehension when he thinks about the magnitude of his responsibility should he assume the role of a husband and father" (p. 23). How true! Marriage "is the most life-altering decision [our children] will make apart from coming to repentance and faith in Christ." Wow! That alone is enough to cause us, as Christian parents, to do our very best to ensure that our children enter into the sacredness of marriage with the knowledge that it is a coventantal commitment, one that is ordained by God, one in which their choice in mates matters for life. J and I have been frequently praying for our children's future spouses, but this book has reminded me that we must be more serious and diligent in our prayers. This is not to be taken lightly.

J has an interesting comment about the descendents of Jonathon Edwards, which I found very insightful and revealing as to our own culture saturation. I will let him blog it, though.

I, too, really liked the analogy of being shade-tree planters. Voddie says that he has since used the illustration to his children many, many times: "Kids, you must seek to become the kind of people who plant shade trees for others to sit under....We constantly talk about living our lives in such a way that we plant spiritual shade trees for the benefit of others...life is about more than the here and now" (p. 16). That says it all! We not only are helping our own children in finding suitable mates, but we are also planting seeds for future generations. That is another Wow! That is J's and my prayer: to leave a legacy that is God-honoring and God-glorifying, and I know that is true for all of you as well.

I apologize for the long length of my post. This is my first time posting anything, and I got a little excited! I also am quite wordy in my writing, so please bear with me.

To God be all glory!