An "elected" woman

Guest post by Suzann Darnall

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen
Matthew 6:9-13

It is a mystery to me why there was outrage at Melania Trump for beginning a speech with the Lord’s prayer. If you believe in the biblical God, what is there to cause offense? If not, what in this prayer is offensive to the average moral and ethical person? If you do not believe in any god at all, are the words not a very nice, pleasant thought for the day?

While First Ladies do not run for office, they are put through the wringer of scrutiny every bit as much as their husbands who are actually vying for the office of President of the United States. Sometimes a wife can have a huge impact on her husband’s chances at winning or losing the Oval Office. They have an unpaid position for so long as their husband is in office. While not on the ballot at the polls, they are in many ways elected right along with their husband. Kinda mandatorily volunteered.

The bible speaks of the elect. Elect lady and elect sister are mentioned in various verses. An elect woman is one who exemplifies certain attributes. Often involving family and faith.

As a stay-at-home wife, mother, grandmother, Constitutional Conservative, and God-fearing woman, I am excited about Melania Trump as the First Lady. She seems to be a very positive role model, a loving wife, and devoted mother. She was successful in her own right before marrying her husband, yet seems to have no problem stepping into the role of supporter instead of star. Although, I think she is going to be a very brightly shining star of the political world for so long as her husband is President.

She is surrounded by an aura of graciousness and elegance. Despite living in the world of great wealth and power, she does not exude any hint of snobbery. While she does not have the down-to-earth persona of Laura Bush, you get the distinct feeling she would treat guests just as nicely.

I was intrigued when I read her cause célèbre will focus on Women’s Issues and Difficulties. Probably served with a sidecar of standing against Cyberbullying, which has plagued the Trump family from the get-go. Especially hateful have been attacks on President Trump’s wife, Melania, their 10-year old son, Barron, and his adult daughter, Ivanka.

I am interested to see what her take on Women’s Issues will constitute. I have a feeling it will be a much more practical approach than what some on the Progressive spectrum might prefer. I do not think she is going to be out there advocating about more freebies for women who are perfectly capable of buying their own birth control. I also do not think she is going to be in favor of ever expanding access to abortions at taxpayer expense. I realize that the Left pretty much thinks Women’s Issues start and stop at our reproductive organs (pun intended), but I think Mrs. Trump is looking to deal with the real difficulties facing some women in America.

I suspect she will be looking towards real life problems and possible solutions. Perhaps such areas as jobs, education, childcare, domestic abuse, and other concerns which have real world impact on women and their families. Not the never-never-land litany of never-ending free stuff that is demanded by Progressives, Which, if they don’t get causes them to call everyone else sexist and/or racist. Of course, most of them still call everyone else sexist and racist even when they get their free stuff ‘cause it is seemingly never enough of the free stuff.

As someone who was formerly involved, at a very low and very local level, in the beauty and fashion world, I am delighted that we have a First Lady who looks like a supermodel. Oh, that’s right, she was a supermodel! I have always enjoyed seeing attractive women, with great hair and makeup, wearing pretty clothes. When I was little it was Barbie, paper dolls and Disney Princesses. When I got older it was fashion shows, makeup artistry, and beauty magazines. So, I am going to enjoy seeing Melania and Ivanka looking fabulous!

But, I have to admit that the two things which most intrigue me about Melania Trump is her commitment to her son and her faith. As a woman who is very family and faith oriented, it is appealing to me when we have a woman of faith who is first and foremost a mother as First Lady. Someone who I feel will not be disparaging of those women who choose to put family and God first on their list of priorities. I am pretty sure Melania will not sneer at those of us who actually like to bake cookies and are clinging to our religion. At the same time, I believe she will have very real insight into the affairs faced by working women and business women, having seen life from that side as well.

I am not saying Melania Trump is perfect. I am not putting her up on a pedestal or nominating her for sainthood. I am simply saying this is a woman I can admire. She seems to have a love of family, country, and God. What’s not to like about that? The fact that she likes to wear pretty clothes and look nice is a bonus

One of my favorite scriptural passages is Proverbs 31:10-31:

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

To me, this quote speaks volumes about what each and every woman has the potential to become. Wife, mother, homemaker, business owner, woman of God. Prospects abound. I see a lil bit of this in Melania Trump. I strive to see this in myself. It is a pretty good goal.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all be elect women? Let’s hope we can support one another to be the best we can be. Build one another up. Not tear each other down. Not just women supporting women, but people supporting people. Let us all be elect. The chosen, the elite, the favored, the crème de la crème. And, just as importantly, let us all treat one another as if every person is just as special as any other.