“Well, I’m actually not going to college…” I tried to explain softly so as not to distract the meeting. “I’ll be pursuing some of my own study as well has helping some ladies in our church. My goal is to be a homemaker...” Thinking back, I probably could have explained it better. Yet, it caused me to think about a better answer for the future.
Why am I not going to college? It’s not that I would be unable to enter one. With the privileges of home education, receiving a scholarship would be no difficult task. The question is, would going to college help me in my goal to achieve my life purpose as a woman of God? Would I have time if I were to go away to college to prepare more important skills in homemaking? In Titus, Paul specifically calls the younger women to be “keepers at home.” How can I be a keeper at home if I’m out in the workforce every day? The Proverbs 31 women works mainly at home; her husband is in the gates. This does not mean I will not be working. Far from it, raising a family is a full time job.
Some have raised the question of home education. Wouldn’t college enable me to teach my children better? I’m not so sure. I believe I can learn more at home studying what really matters. Most likely my children will take a different course in life that I will. If I were to receive a degree in Chemistry, say, what if my children decide to become musicians? In addition, there are hundreds of resources out there to help me teach my children should they decide to go into a specific field.
Our modern culture has turned college into a place to hang out and try life on your own instead of a positive learning atmosphere. Youth are so excited to leave for college so they can be “on their own” without the authority of their parents. However, while away, many foolish choices are made that will bruise these youth for the rest of their life. Following the biblical model of a women staying under the authority of either her father or husband helps avoid many of these mistakes.
What am I to do with my time? The years between high school and marriage are an opportunity many women miss to serve their families and churches and to grow in their relationship with Christ. Being a help-meet to our mothers and fathers will train us to be good helpmeets for our future husbands. The time we are able to spend building relationships with our siblings will greatly edify our relationship with our own husband and children someday. These years are a great opportunity to further our education at home as well, whether it’s reading, online courses, or attending some classes at a local community college. Even more, the churches of today are sorely lacking young women to help young mothers, organize events, and encourage the younger generation. This time-period is also an opportunity for building our own skills, whether it’s music, writing, cooking, art or whatever. Someday our husbands will greatly appreciate our gifts as we use them to support their dominion work.
I have also known many young ladies who have been able to start their own entrepreneurial endeavors or work for their fathers’ or brothers’ businesses. Although I hate math, I have a feeling I’ll be the one doing the bookkeeping and accounting work for my brother’s construction business. (I already am helping him some…today I was out there in the 30 degree weather helping him raise framing for our house’s extension!)
I’m not saying college is inherently sinful. I believe it is fine for men to pursue brick and mortar colleges if it will help them provide for their families and if they are accountable to a solid church or family. Neither do I think it is sinful for women to go to college unless they refuse to be held accountable. Yet, I firmly believe women can attain something much higher by embracing God’s pattern of life.
Well, I’m afraid such an answer will not due for caucus meetings…I’ll have to think of something shorter…!
