LIVING OUT YOUR VOCATION: A MOTHER OR A WIFE
A mother is the female parent of a child. Mothers are women who inhabit or perform the role of bearing some relation to their children, who may or may not be their biological offspring. A wife is a female partner in a continuing marital relationship. The term continues to be applied to a woman who has separated from her partner, and ceases to be applied to such a woman only when her marriage has come to an end, following a legally recognized nullification or the death of her spouse. Until recently in Africa, every woman is bound to be a wife and consequently a mother. However, experiences have shown that although all mothers are wives, but not all wives are mothers. A Good wife again is said to be a mother. The ten types of wife shows this better.
Types of wife and their Character
- Party Wife
- These are women who are very mobile and very sociable
•They are always attending one function after the other (every wedding, bridal and shower, kitchen top up, office functions etc)
•Are rarely at home on weekends to have time with their husbands and children
•Can spend family money on gifts - 2. Dictionary Wife
- These are women who don’t take suggestions: the way she thinks is the way it is
•The way she knows is the way it is – no changes
•Very orderly and become very angry when things are misplaced in their home setup
- Pampered Wife
- These are women who are spoilt by their parents (normally from rich parents or they are the only girl in the family of many boys)
•They are lazy mainly can’t do household work
•Love spending money shopping trivial Girlish things - Sees their husband like a houseboy
- Office Wife
- These are women who are Career minded and their family does not matter to them.
•Are always using carrier as an excuse of not being at home for their family
•They don’t respect their husbands and make educated women look bad
•They think a husband is not important because they can support themselves
- Patient Wife
- These are women who always look like they are sick and down trodden
•Love to complain on everything (husband, children, relatives even weather)
•Are always afraid and live in anxiety
- Headmistress Wife
- These are women who put themselves in-charge of the family even when the husband is a sole provider of the home
•Treat everyone as a child including their husband and visitors.
•Are very questionable and will punish their husbands for any trivial things
- 7. Boxing Wife
- These are women who are very offensive and sometimes can be violent
•They like shouting and they are nagging
• believe in fire for fire
- Dust bin Wife
- These are women who are very dirty and unkept
•Very unorganized and confused
•Very lazy at everything except gossiping
•Leave everything to their servants or their children
- Security Wife
- These are women who are very protective of their husband
•Very jealous, every woman is seen as a threat
•Sees husbands friends as bad company
•Don’t let anyone discipline their child even a teacher
•Husband’s family, friends and workmates are scared of her
- Good Wife
- These are women who are Virtuous wives.
•Caring, loving and very smart
•Very helpful, they can even handle husband’s business in his absence
•Provide spiritual guidance to the children
•Very understanding and have self-esteem
MOTHER A WIFE OF A NOBLE CHARACTER
Proverbs 31:10-31 calls a mother a wife of noble character
10 A capable wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is still night
and provides food for her household
and tasks for her servant-girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor,
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all her household are clothed in crimson.
22 She makes herself coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the city gates,
taking his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she supplies the merchant with sashes.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her happy;
her husband too, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the city gates.
to be continued
Father Daniel
