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EXCERPT
1
Much has been written about women, but few are the
women and men, young and old, who have grasped a real
understanding of women's virtues and their potential role in the
edification of a moral and righteous society, and the uplifting of
its individual citizens. Thus my intention in writing this work is
to bring to the attention of both women and men, young and old, a
"hidden treasure" concerning the precious human beings
whom God chose to accompany and refine men in a rough and
challenging world.
...I write to all women who are alive and to all
those who yet will live on this earth, and give special
recognition to those who have passed on. What moves me to
write to you and about you is my deep respect and admiration for
you, for what you are, for the good you can do or have done, and
for what you can become.
I write particularly to those women who believe
they can make a difference in the progress of humanity under the
hand of God.
EXCERPT
2
More than twenty centuries ago it was said that
"a virtuous woman is priced above rubies." Although
human society has experienced many significant changes in moral
values, social structures, religious beliefs, etc., I consider
that this declaration can still hold true. Therefore, I invite the
reader to seriously analyze and ponder the following statements
and questions:
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Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price
is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her
life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her
hands.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food
from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to
her household, a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the
fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her
arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle
goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold
the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she
reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all
her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is
silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth
among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth
girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall
rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her
tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and
eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband
also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest
them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman
that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hand; and let her own
works praise her in the gates.
(Proverbs 31: 10-31; italics added). |
Upon reading these verses one might ask:
Is this "virtuous woman" a fictitious character?
Is this kind of woman what people call nowadays a
"superwoman"?
Can a woman really have these attributes and characteristics?
Isn't it too much to ask of a woman?
This book addresses some of the deep, meaningful
questions concerning the legacy, work, and reward of women; and as
a result, the destiny of our society.
EXCERPT
3
Chapter
1
YOUR
LEGACY
A
Daughter of God or a product of nature?
This question represents the key to open the door
to the understanding of many different issues pertaining to women,
from the beginning of their existence to this very day.
Not very long ago, a friend of mine showed me and
other friends, male and female, a book he had acquired, entitled What
Men Know about Women. First he showed us the cover, which
featured the title; at that moment there was a sense of
expectation in all of us, because the subject was very appealing.
Then he proceeded to show us the rest of the book. To our
disappointment, it consisted of blank pages, suggesting that men
know nothing about women, and we all laugh! Yes, my first reaction
was to laugh, but as an author researching and writing about
women, I knew that the point was valid for some people (including
men and women who don't know themselves), but not for others.
What, then, does make the difference?
Two main "theories" are proposed to
explain the origin of men and women, which to a certain extent
would help them know about themselves and about one another. One
is the theory of evolution, which suggests that men and women are
the products of coincidental changes in matter found in nature for
millions of years, and thus they are descendants of lower animal
species.
The other is the "theory" of creation,
which suggests that men and women were created by God, in his own
image, male and female. Both "theories" raise serious
questions to people searching for identity.
If men and women are to understand themselves and
understand one another, I suppose answering the initial question
of this chapter would be the starting point. To avoid having a
book with "blank pages," it might be good to analyze
some of the basic points of these "theories." If men and
women were the product of mere evolution, then one would find an
explanation why the confusion about the identity and roles - their
differences and similarities - of men and women trying to reach
their individual and collective potential in the family and
society the are a part of. After all, under the law of evolution,
who is to say who is who, and who does what, and what is next?
Evolution would support the "natural" tendency to
"follow the crowd," which crowd might be other animals;
and the possibility that in time, women will become men, and men
will become women, giving course to the method of trial and error
in the relationships of humans.
In contrast, the "theory" of creation
indicates that men and women are the children of God, who created
them and gave them the specific and detailed instructions on the
purpose of their existence, the roles and responsibilities they
were to fulfill individually and collectively in the family and
society they would be a part of; and not only that, but he told
them of their possible destiny, which they would determine by
their personal choices and actions. The "theory" of
creation supports the idea to follow a high, divine leader who
knows the way and will take men and women to a higher plane.
Without a doubt, a woman wanting to know of her
origin and purpose in this life would probably also like to know
of her destiny. Not only would she like to know these things for
herself, but most likely she would like others, particularly men,
to know of her findings. Then there would no be room for a book
with "blank" pages or demeaning comments about her.
Instead, there would be thousands of verses, thousands of poems
and songs, and thousands of books, praising her, more than those
already found in writings (ancient and modern) authored by men.
After my personal sincere research on the
human legacy and potential, the "theory" of creation
makes more sense to me than the theory of evolution. Thus I have
come to an unconditional acceptance and belief that a woman is a
daughter of God, and not a product of nature left up to the
"inclemency" of the change of time and seasons. With
this in mind, I approach the rest of this work, leaving it up to
the reader, of course, to agree or disagree with my observations.
Your
Worth
How does one measure a woman's worth? What
parameters does one use? If a woman were a product of nature, her
worth could be measured in dollars and cents, according to her
looks and weight. Unfortunately, our materialistic society has the
evil tendency to do just that, the main cause of it being the lack
of understanding of the divine worth of a woman to her divine
creator. The innate worth of a woman is far beyond the worth or
value of the most expensive pearl or any worldly thing one could
ever possess in this entire universe...
© 1999 Armando Lopez. All
rights reserved.
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