A friend shared some posts on a Catholic forum she was following. Among the many topics, one struck home for me because it seemed to adhere too strictly to the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law.
The woman in the post was saying that we have to let men be men in all things. Husbands are the head of the home and should be in charge of everything that makes a household function. I've heard this many times from other women who think I take on too much of what belongs to my husband in these matters. They are especially shocked that although I don't 'work', I'm in charge of my husband's paycheck in as far as paying the bills, doing the bookwork, planning for expenditures, and doing our annual tax returns. I've often been told I was not being 'womanly' and was lowering my own respect for my husband by taking away tasks that should belong to the head of the household. I find some loopholes in that thinking!
First of all, my husband hates bookwork and when we were first married and he was in charge, it wasn't good. I, on the other hand, have a talent for bookkeeping and taxes. I enjoy the process and don't find it a particular burden. We figure that he works hard to bring home the paycheck and leaving the organization of the budget to me as, in reality, I am closer to the trenches than he is on that score. We work at maintaining a savings account, he is always aware of what is available to spend, the bills are done in a timely manner, and it all goes smoothly. My husband doesn't feel he is being usurped of his head of the household status and I sure don't want to BE the head of the household.
I think that although God says the man is the head of the home, women often forget that we can't hide our talents under the proverbial bushel basket. We all live according to our talents and a family thrives when all talents are utilized for the mutual benefit of the family.
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