Stepping Back

My Grandpa was a sociable guy. Although he tried his hand at various occupations, he’d rather visit with friends and play the fiddle for community dances than have a dependable job. Grandma on the other hand was industrious. After raising five children she turned their home into a boarding house in order to save the homestead. Grandpa resented the boarders and Grandma came to regret taking on the role of bread winner. In hind sight Grandma said, “I should have stepped back and forced him to make the living, even if it meant losing our home.” In the church it’s not unusual to see women take on a leadership role for much the same reason. The Biblical role of leadership falls squarely on the shoulders of men and in some cases church leadership has been weakened by women who are trying to share the load. It might be surprising to see the outcome if women took a step back - for better or for worse.