103 gengwall,

I can tell you from experience, a statement such as that from a man (i.e. me) would have elicited great howls of fowl from many of the women I have dialoged with in the past. One chief complaint would have been “I don’t need any man to pave the way for me.” Another would be, “that is just another ’system’ where God puts men in charge.” I must confess, there are times where I feel men can’t catch a break. It seems we are always presumed to have alterior superiority motives.

Women who think that the worldly system that we live in (and that has drifted into the church) does not need a man to pave the way for a woman may not be living in reality. A woman who paves her own way may get the work done, but she is looked on as a Jezebel, a “manly” woman and as a intruder. While I “can” pave my own way, it will be a rough road for me. I am happy for and grateful to have a man open the doors for me and give his endorsement to allow others to listen to me without fear. Women who cannot embrace their brothers who are trying their best to lay their lives down to give us a voice may not have thought through this issue well enough. We have been hurt and we are bloody from the battle. I will praise God for every man who is willing to get bloody by walking by my side and opening the door for me in the face of ridicule and sneers. I encourage women to embrace these men as dear brothers in Christ and not to see themselves as self-sufficient. We simply need each other.

gengwall, your comment about the “fowl” “foul” made me laugh! I enjoy your humor and your visual pictures. I am off to get some other work done with the sound of honking geese in my mind! When I take another break I will get back to you on your questions 🙂