If you form a club or other group, how do you start? You have a structure, right? Someone is the head. A good club leader accepts input from others, except in emergencies where there is no time to think. That’s, because they realize they are human and can make mistakes.
However, that leader still makes the final decisions on everything. As President Truman used to say, “The buck stops here.”
God is the ultimate leader. His decisions always take everyone’s best interests into account. Since He is perfect, He doesn’t need us. However, He wants to use us. He created you special so you could build treasures working for Him. And, He made families to work in a certain way, based on what He set up.
The best functioning type of family has a loving father who follows God with all his heart and leads the family entirely by God’s will. Note that – the father must follow God’s lead. Just as we’ve talked about you doing. This father nurtures, too, but his main job is to protect and provide for the family. The mother does most nurturing. Proverbs 31 is all about a Godly wife and mother, who teaches love, mercy, goodness, and so on at all times. This woman also has her focus on God, and teaches her children of His love in word and deed, just like the father does. The children grow up believing that God loves them unconditionally, and seeing His love in their parents.
Men and women go together like two different jigsaw puzzle pieces. That is why God wants the family unit to have a Godly man and woman in it.
Not all families are like that. Not all the people you meet will want that. This section shows some things to avoid in a relationship. It is for everyone. There are parts that talk about dating, though, that are geared a bit more toward females, single mothers included, for two reasons. First, it’s easier for women to give their hearts away too fast. Second, the Shunammite woman was female, so examples are easier.
If you have a sister or other girl you shepherd, this section will be very important in guiding her toward the right boy, and knowing what to avoid. In fact, before we go on, I recommend a great ministry for girls called “Bright Lights,” at www.radiantpurity.com - and a book titled “Before You Meet Prince Charming,” by Sarah Mally. It has great advice for girls and single women of all ages, as well as for leaders who help them. Leaders like God wants you to be.
People young and old, take note: You want to marry the best case scenario – a dedicated Christian who is strong in the Lord. The Shunammite woman had benefits that not every person has. Ladies, you want – you deserve - a guy to love, cherish, provide, protect, so many things that we all need. Many who look nice on the outside are far worse than the Shunammite’s husband, as we’ll see. And, even the Shunammite’s husband was not the best one for her.
