Where is a knight when you need him?

I yawned as I walked up the stairs and through the hall, towards the bathroom as I reached in to flick on the light. What I saw as I was stepping through the door shot up my heart rate to an alarming speed. A large, spotted, brown spider sat right inside the doorway; it’s large leg span and hideous colors making me shudder. Normally, I can handle spiders; provided I have a fly swatter with a very long handle within reach. But this was just too much. I could visualize perfectly how it would crunch as I hit it, and then leave a disgusting mess on the floor. Eewww! There was no way I was going to kill that spider. Quick! Go get a boy.

Too late. All four of my younger brothers were already in bed (angels that they are), and Mom and Emily flatly refused to either support or aide me in the battle. I was left alone, watching this unmoving spider, with a fly swatter in my hand and a growing sick feeling in my stomach. Oh, where is a knight when you need him? I was faced by my ultimate fear, thrown into a frightening circumstance, and there was no hero wielding a sword in sight.

I am not a feminist. I’m exactly the opposite; I LIKE to have men protect me, defend me… do all the disgusting work for me! But a common misconception about conservative, anti-feminist ladies is that we’re weaklings who rely totally and completely upon men for our every need. But for those of us who aspire to live as a Proverbs 31 woman, this is not so. Life as a Christian lady means struggling against temptation, fighting against lies and slander, fiercely protecting God’s truth, and the honor of our family. Christian women lead a battle of our own as we face struggles and obstacles; both in a spiritual and physical sense.

We cannot rely upon men for everything (though they are a tremendous help in many circumstances!), for we were not made to rely completely on anyone except God. He alone gives us the ability to do things that reflect a strength and resolution that should not be so uncommon to the character of women. Whether it be in working in relationships, taking a stand in our community, facing financial challenges, finding a good job, accomplishing things in the home, or killing that spider in the bathroom. We have a Strength far greater than our own; far greater than the human strength of men, but we have a God who promises we will not be challenged beyond what we are able. This truth goes so much farther and proves a will so much stronger than what feminists promote; a shallow belief in ourselves.

As I stood outside the bathroom door, I was totally grossed out at the sight of this spider, so afraid that it would run straight for me should I make a move. Everything in me said NO to killing that spider. But I knew it wouldn’t have solved my problem to run away and leave it to make itself at home. Looking around one last time for a hero in armor, I faced again my foe, lifted the swatter, and…. WHACK! SPLAT!*squeal!* *groan.* I faced my fear, took action against my will, and thanked God for vacuum cleaners.

May we all find the Strength “within ourselves” and not be afraid to step out in faith, as face the obstacles in our lives.