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| Library of Congress: 1913 - Mrs. Frank Vanderlip and her children. |
It is wonderful to be a peaceful and graceful lady. It is good to have trusted family members to take care of you. Many mothers teach their sons to open doors for girls. They grow up knowing that it is good to protect and take care of the women of the family.
My two grown sons have always opened doors for me. When they were little, I taught them by waiting by the door and looking kindly at them, saying, "Will you open the door for Mother?" It was not long before they were both grown. They were both much taller and stronger than I am. It was not difficult for them to take care of their Mother by opening doors and carrying heavy items for me. It was a precious way of showing honor and love for me.
Over this last year, I have had to make several trips to stores alone. It wore me out, but was essential work. I am not a strong person and simply do not have the energy or strength to do a great deal of labor or lift heavy grocery bags. Whenever possible, one of my grown sons will do the shopping with me so I have the necessary help.
This past week I remembered a lesson about opening the door for a lady. The day was chilly with drizzly rain. I wanted to stop at a large furniture store just to look around and to dream. One of my grown sons (in his 20's) was with me. Instead of waiting a few minutes in the car, I was the first to get out and walked quickly to the building. I was in a great hurry to get out of the cold and wind. The door was heavy as I reached it. I did not remember to have patience enough to wait and be taken care of. My son came to the rescue and opened the heavy door for me. I had forgotten that I was not alone and that there was help.
This reminded me of the protection of the Lord. How often do I boldly rush into some idea or decision without waiting for His guidance and help? How often do I ignore the help that is available and wear out my strength and my nerves? How often do I hurry out of some discomfort to get a result, on my own, without consulting the Lord for direction?
The simple act of a lady waiting for a gentleman to open her door produces great patience and a sense of peacefulness. It produces the beautiful virtue of meekness. There is a precious lesson in waiting for a door to be open, with a heart of trust and faith in those who were given to protect her.
May this also remind us that waiting on God to open doors for us, in this life, is how we learn to serve Him and not go our own way. This is how we learn to follow His leading. We are not to be brash or bold. A lady should cultivate the art of a meek and quiet spirit. This is a contented heart who is not in a hurry or a rush to do everything on my own. With a graceful sense of dignity, she yields to wait for the door to be opened. For it is not my will (or my plans) that I want to do, but the will of my Heavenly Father.
Blessings
Mrs. White
From the Archives -
Overcoming Worries and Troubles - Reviving the Prayer Journal.
Inspired by D.L. Moody's Mother - Poverty in the 1800's.
Practical Help - Pacing Oneself to Keep House.
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Wonderful insight. Thank you. I know I’m often guilty of rushing and not giving God time.
ReplyDeleteHello Mrs. White. This is a wonderful post that you have shared. Having doors opened is so nice and it is greatly appreciated at any age but especially as we age. May you gain some strength. It's wonderful that you trained your sons to open doors for you when they were young.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and may you have a blessed Easter/Resurrection Sunday.
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I would dearly love to hear more about what you did in raising your children, and taught them, especially with the patience part. It is something I feel I'm failing in and there isn't a whole lot of such instruction anymore.
ReplyDeleteExcellent illustration, ma'am. When our grandchildren (oldest is 9, youngest less than a year) come over to join us for a meal, the boys always remain standing until all the ladies (of all ages) are seated. They started by asking why Grandpa would stand behind the chair at the head of the table. They learned quickly, and now when all of them join us for supper, it becomes almost a game - a competition - to see who remembers their manners.
ReplyDeleteIt brings to mind a great bit of truth:
Boys must prove their worth, while girls must preserve theirs.
Men are expendable, while women are perishable.
Thank you for this article which is extremely pertinent to a situation in my life this very day. I am grateful for this reminder to lean on our loving and omnipotent God and not our own understanding. Many hugs and blessings to you, Mrs. White. I have enjoyed your writing for many years.
ReplyDeleteAlways a joy to see a post from you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for continuing to write, my friend.
Have a cozy day.
Snow here in Pennsylvania!
GRACIAS SEÑORA WHITE POR ESTAS PALABRAS,SON TAN VERDADERAS CUANDO DICE QUE DEBEMOS DEJAR A DIOS PARA QUE HAGA SU VOLUNTAD Y NO LA NUESTRA,NOS AHORRARIAMOS MUCHOS PROBLEMAS. HACE UN TIEMPO ATRAS, TUVE PROBLEMAS CON UNOS VECINOS IMPIOS QUE NOS PERSEGUIAN CON SUS MALDADES, TODAVIA LO HACEN,ME CANSE DE HABLAR CON ESTA PERSONA Y HACERLE VER SU ERROR, SOLO RECIBI DE ELLA INSULTOS E HUMILLACIONES, YA NO PUDE HACER MAS NADA, SOLO LE PIDO A DIOS QUE ME AYUDE EN ESTA AREA, ME SIENTO MAL Y VEO QUE CON MI ACTITUD, DE QUERER ARREGLAR LAS COSAS POR MI MISMA, NADA LOGRO, LOS IMPIOS SIGUEN SIENDO IMPIOS Y SIGUEN HACIENDO MALDADES. CUANTO CUESTA ACEPTAR CORRECCIONES. BENDICIONES DESDE ARGENTINA.
ReplyDeleteI love the old word wisdom that comes through in your writing. Lovely manners, devotion to God and a celebration of the differences between men and woman. I know so many men want to act as a gentleman and open doors etc for ladies, but often hold back these days as some woman act offended. I find it so wonderful that you chose to write a post about something so simple and courteous. Blessings to you Mrs White - Linda
ReplyDeleteAs a woman, I always appreciate having doors opened for me, and will always warmly thank the door holder (usually a man) warmly and sincerely.
ReplyDeleteBut many times, doors into commercial building have TWO sets of doors. So when someone holds the first door for me, I thank them, walk in and open the second door myself, and say, "Please let me return your kindness!" and hold the 2nd door open for them. They always smile and laugh and say Thank You as they walk through. It's such a small thing, but that pleasant little mutual courtesy makes me smile. Now it would be a different story if I were not strong enough to open that 2nd door, but for now, I can and do.
I can tell you that when I hold a door open for someone, women are always the least likely to thank me. Some even act as though that's what I was put on this earth for. So when I don't hear a "Thank you!" I quietly say, "You're very welcome." Just loud enough so there's no mistake. If your momma didn't teach you manners, I can and will help you with that. LOL!