"It's tough being a woman in another woman's shadow" that is the theme for week one of the Beth Moore Bible study of Esther. I had just started this study of the book of Esther when Kate Middleton and Prince William announced their engagement. The news media covering their engagement keeps "highlighting" the similarities and the differences between Prince Charles and Princess Dianna's engagement and theirs. All I could think of was Yes, Beth it is hard to be in another woman's shadow just as Esther was in the Shadow of the Queen who went before her so is Kate in Princess Dianna's shadow. I can only imagine how hard it must be for Kate to be in the shadow so publicly and to have everyone going over "Everything" bit by bit. Whew! Just thinking about it makes me exhausted! I am just a normal housewife who lives in a small town (though I have been laughing and thinking I might start saying I am from a sleepy little American town after watching all the news coverage of Miss.Kate Middleton.) who lives under the shadow that is cast from society of what a woman is supposed to look like, be like, act like and do. I believe every woman lives with some shadow over them. Sometimes woman live in the shadow of a real woman be it a mother, a mother in-law, a sister, a best friend, an ex-wife. Sometimes the shadow is even imposed on you from strangers. I am a stay at home mom and I love being it! However when I run into acquaintances that I haven't seen in a while, who "work" outside the home, and they ask me "What are you doing now?" and I explain that I am still at home, even though my kids are now in school. I sometimes feel "judged" and deemed less worthy. I know this is how I "feel", and I have been taking it to God and praying about it. (and trying to come up with a better answer -ha!)
I have been working hard to step into the love of God and trust what God says about me. I know that Isaiah 43:4 tells me I am precious to God, I peter 1:18-19 tells I am valuable to God so I choose to believe him, day by day. I know that I am working for his glory even when I am doing the mundane chores around the house since these duties bless my family and those that enter my home.
Do you live in a shadow? How does it make you feel? How do you deal with it?
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Wow, this is great. I think I live in a shadow, but not sure whose. I bought the study book for Beth Moore's Esther's series, but I got confused, I know its Esther. It was the only part of the series I could afford. I'll be following you.
ReplyDeleteI was signed in other account. It's me Territory Mom
ReplyDeleteWhat a great perspective. I loved the Esther study, Beth Moore truly does a great job. I truly wish Kate the best of luck, not sure where her faith is, but this is a study someone should gift her for sure!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Esther study. It was sooo good.
ReplyDeleteI love how you related it to katie and the prince. Nicely done.
I live in my husband's shadow. He is very extroverted and friendly, generous to a fault. People always remember him. Even people I went to school with and my relatives we haven't seen in a long time recognize him before they do me! Once in Walmart, I walked up to a cousin I hadn't seen in years and started talking to him. It wasn't until my husband joined us that my cousin knew who I was.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time, I don't mind. Occasionally, though, I admit it gets on my nerves. I try his tactics and rarely get the reception he does. It can be annoying, not to mention wearing on my ego.
okay completely off topic how in the heck did I not realize before now that Sweet Tea is your Mom? Goodness obviously I have bypassed the shadow and been living under a rock!
ReplyDeleteI am going to get my bible and read more about Ester right now