by Elisha Ann Wahlquist ~ 4/15/06
The Christian life is an ever-growing story of God's faithfulness and His mercy as He leads us ever closer to Christ-likeness. It is vitally important that the stories of God's faithfulness and mercy be passed down through the generations, to remind us of His mighty works. Thus, I share part of the story of what God has done in my life thus far, in hopes that it may encourage you to a deeper, fuller walk with Him.
At five years old, I asked Jesus to come into my life and save me from my sins. I remember the night clearly - I had gone to bed, but became afraid that when I died, I would go to Hell, because I knew I was not saved. I crept out of bed and into the living room of our Texas home, and told my parents my trouble. They talked and prayed with me, and I prayed, too, telling God that I knew I was a sinner and needed Him to wash away my sins. When I climbed back into bed, I knew that if I died that night, I would go to Heaven. What a peace and joy I had! The most important thing in the world is to be right with God by becoming saved and following His plan for our lives.
When I was around 11 or 12, my parents began to realize that God wants women to dress modestly and femininely - not in men's attire or gear, but in dresses and skirts ("The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." Deut. 22:5). I remember visiting a dear, older, godly family, and my dad asked, "Do your girls wear dresses all the time?" The father said "yes," and it gave my father a new idea - the idea that skirts and dresses could really be worn for everything. That was a totally foreign idea to all of us. Up until then, my sister, mother, and I had dressed fairly modestly (according to the world's standards - not God's) in pants and jeans. However, as my parents became convicted in this area, my mother began to replace the pants with jumpers, skirts, and dresses. By the mercy of God, my sister and I had never been very concerned with clothes, so we really did not mind the change. It amazed us that by wearing long flowing garments (which is what kosmios katastole means - see 1 Tim. 2:9), we have not been hampered in any of our activities. As I look back, I am so grateful God revealed that to us. There is true freedom when one is obeying God's Word, and I have not "missed out" because I have not worn pants. Instead, I have found excitement and beauty in dressing femininely and modestly, for the glory of God.
As I went on into my early teens, I really enjoyed running. Any kind of running game was fun, especially since God had given me a gift of speed. Various times, a game of tag, etc., would end up with me racing the fastest boy who was playing. It was innocent fun - and yet, as I grew older, I began to realize that God was not glorified by it. He wanted me to be feminine and ladylike in my actions and attitudes. He created women to be the helpmeet of men, not to compete with them. When a girl or a lady is competitive with men, they lose their respect for her, and begin to treat her like they treat each other - and women ultimately lose in that kind of a contest. That is the lie of feminism, the lie that women should be able to take over the dominions that God has given to man. "The glory of young men is their strength," the Bible says. As I realized that, I stopped racing boys, and that was another small step of obedience to God.
I graduated from high school a few months before my 17th birthday. Over the years, my parents and I had become convinced that daughters should stay in their father's house until given in marriage (See "Letters on College, the Workplace, etc." by Mrs. Jennie Chancey), so I remained at home, learning useful skills, helping my mother teach the younger ones, continuing to teach and train myself in areas of academic interest, and much more. In fact, I was busier than when I had been "in school!" I felt quite fine about staying at home, but I unconsciously viewed it as "only something to fill the time until I marry." I did wonder, however, why I didn't feel fulfilled while serving my father.
Then, April 2005, just before my 18th birthday, my father took my sister and I to Vision Forum's Father & Daughter Retreat. What a special thing it was to be with Dad, meet like-minded fathers and daughters, hear inspiring speakers, and enjoy the beauties of Callaway Gardens! Then, on Saturday night, Mrs. Jennie Chancey spoke, giving vision and insight from her own life. Afterwards, Mr. Phillips encouraged the fathers and daughters to go somewhere alone and renew their biblical commitments to each other. We went out onto the darkened patio, and I wept, because, from Mrs. Chancey's speech, I finally realized where I was wrong. God wanted me to delight in serving my father, not just use it as something I should do while I focused on my future marriage. Discontentment grows in such soil. Marriage is a blessed thing, and we should prepare for it! However, our heart should be wholly involved in what we are doing now. It should not be focused on our future marriage as we "just live" in our present circumstances. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" (Col. 3:23)
Now, I am finding such contentment and overflowing joy in these truths! I just had my 19th birthday, and I am rejoicing in being in my father's house. I am growing in Christ-likeness and gaining deeper glimpses into His ways. "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Ps. 16:11) As I rejoice under the imperfect human leadership of my wonderful father, I am preparing to joyously submit to the imperfect leadership of my future husband, if God's plan includes marriage. This is a blessed period of life - I wouldn't trade it for anything!
In closing, I hope that it has been a help and an encouragement to you for me to share a little of what God has been teaching me so far. I look forward to be learning all of my life! God has been so very gracious to me - showing me areas I need to change, and guiding my family in His narrow way. I give all praise and glory to Him! I can assure you that when we follow His ways, we reap contentment and great joy. Follow in these paths, and continually seek to live lives that glorify God. Press on and valiantly stand up for His truth, no matter what the culture says, and you will be blessed!
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5)
