Feminine

Our world is inundated with “girl power” messages and my dorm, with 158 females around the age of 20, is no different. Some of these conversations are in jest, others are of a more serious nature, and still others are inquisitive. Throughout all of these conversations, my heart ends up camping on the word feminine.

Webster’s Dictionary defines feminine as:

1. female

2. characteristic of or appropriate or unique to women (feminine beauty, a feminine perspective)

3. of, relating to, or constituting the gender that ordinarily includes most words or grammatical forms referring to females

I believe that there is more to being feminine then the above definitions. I believe a few of the characteristics are being wise, loving, female, hard working, stronge, teachable, and unique/beautiful. I also believe that Scripture supports this view of being feminine. Below, are some of the Scriptures I’ve found that have molded my view of being feminine.

• Wise – She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26.
• Loving – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34.
• Female (woman) – And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis 2:22-23
• Hard working – She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. Proverbs 31:13-16
• Stronge – The Lord is my strength and my shield, in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him. Psalm 28:7. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. Proverbs 31: 17. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. Proverbs 31:25. 
• Teachable – Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29, 
• Unique/beautiful – Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. Hosea 2:14.

I believe that there is a great difference between being a feminist (simplified: focusing on wanting the world to treat you a certain way) and being feminine (simplified: focusing on wanting Christ to refine you into the woman He’s created you to be). The more I’ve researched being a feminist and being feminine, the more I’ve realized that I desire to be known as feminine rather then a feminist. The above Scriptures remind me that I am made in His image and I am His. My identity is uniquely feminine because of how He made me. I don’t want to identify myself any other way then this! I am proud to be feminine in His image.

Photo credit: http://www.thefemininewoman.com/2012/03/what-is-femininity-and-how-to-be-your-feminine-self/