Beauty for ashes...

Feminism and our decline... So, I'm a little angry today hearing that in the name of equality, women are now going to have to register for selective service. But alas we brought it on ourselves. As women, we no longer want to be viewed as special, different, valuable, unique, etc. We'd rather stomp and say, "I can do it myself, thank you very much!" I'm sorry, but I like the door held open. I like the check picked up. I like being able to hide behind some mystery and having it be expected that I am worth the wait. I like being special and different. Feminism has taken away the value of being feminine. I have been told before that I am a feminist and I just don't know it. I can boldly say that, "no, I love being female and I love the perks that come along with that." I love being a mom and being able to watch my babies grow up and that they want to cuddle with me above anyone else. I love when my husband opens my car door and looks at me in that special way that I know he thinks I'm beautiful. I love dancing with him and having him lead. I'm ok with following. The dance looks better that way. I love being strong as a woman and having it being different than what being strong as a man looks like. I'm not the same. I was made different. That's ok. Call me old fashioned. Call me backward... But I really think that we have traded our beauty for ashes. With that being said, that phrase always makes me think of these verses below and I'm glad today that Jesus died for me and that what is written above is not what I am looking forward to. Isaiah 61 1The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. 2He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. 3To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. 4They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations. 5Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards. 6You will be called priests of the LORD, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. 7Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. 8“For I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. 9Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the LORD has blessed.” 10I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. 11The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.