"And her desire shall be for a husband"

This post is in response to the last session of series "God and Sexuality" (Amplify Ministry).

The following poem by Lena Lathrop speaks particularly to men.

A WOMAN'S QUESTION

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the hand above?
A woman's heart, and a woman's life--
And a woman's wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy?
Demanding what others have died to win
With the reckless dash of a boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Manlike, you have questioned me.
Now stand at the bars of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart be as true as God's stars
And as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,
I require a far greater thing;
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts---
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home,
And a man that his Maker, God,
Shall look upon as he did on the first
And say: "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade
From this soft young cheeck one day;
Will you love me then, 'mid the falling leaves
As you did 'mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give this all, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook
You can hire and little to pay;
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.

Lena Lathrop

Princesses of God, God created us for love. In us, always the ancient longing - "And her desire shall be for a husband"(Mat 5:8)- the inextinguishable hope for recognition, response, protection. Or like Josie said last night, our deepest desire is to be loved. A man of truth God prepared for you is the one whose heart is an ocean "strong and true". My prayer for you is that you'll keep your standards high. Require all things that are "grand and true", for a woman's love is "the cosliest thing ever made by the Hand above".


Pictures are taken from album "amplify 20th feb09" by Amanda Chan