seed caps, tractors and women

My husband climbs up the steps and sits down in a worn vinyl seat. I imagine his heart skips a beat as he turns the key and the motor of a 3688 begins to purr. It’s his lunch break which means he’s switched hats to an old seedcorn hat that’s worn from wear and faded from the sun. It strikes me as ironic that he would willingly take off a lot of his hats, but not this one. Not this one that keeps him out til dark many days throughout the year. Not this one that willingly sloshes through manure to care for a baby calf. Not this one that we joke is a hobby because he doesn’t make any money doing it. Nope, not this one.

As a young child he watched piglets suckle and cows kick. He’d marvel at the taste of fresh peas from the vine and potatoes from the ground. He’d observe quietly while softly praying for ailing livestock. Indeed, his heart was set on becoming a farmer one day.

Several days ago, the two of us sat discussing the immensity of emotion I was feeling in that moment. In my attempt to help him understand my frustration, I shared the following:

History tells us that women were the first farmers. Boys were not instructed to care for the fields, instead they were taught things like how to craft an arrow and shoot straight. They learned how to track and hunt animals. They became experts at fishing while the girls stayed home, learning how to tend the land. So, what if I told you that you can’t be a farmer.

As I looked in his eyes, I could tell he understood with a new depth.

I’ve had several conversations lately that have caused me to walk away and wonder. Several well-meaning, bible-believing folks who I really respect and am confident that they have a close walk with the Lord have made comments regarding several passages of scripture that prohibit – or restrict – the role of women in the church. They see it as a black and white issue without cause or need for debate. And, honestly, I get it… for many years I didn’t agree with women leading in the church. My official statement was less black and white than theirs, but we landed in the same camp. It seemed wiser to me to camp out in the spot that clung to the authority of Scripture. And, until I saw otherwise, that was one where the roles of women were limited in the church.

But, today, that’s all changed. And that is why when people say things like “scripture is clear” or “it’s obvious from Paul’s statements that women are to be silent” that a tiny puff of irritation blows round me, and I have to fight the bitterness that rears its ugly head. Many years ago, the wife of one of my seminary professors pulled me aside, paid for my lunch and quietly both rebuked and encouraged me to tame the bitterness that she saw beginning to take root in me. I was, admittedly, a bit embarrassed, but also exceedingly grateful that she cared enough for me and the Kingdom to quietly share her concerns with me. And, in honor of her and of our Lord (perhaps in the opposite order), I have often fought against the ugliness of bitterness. And, I suppose that right now might be one of those times.

What’s changed in me is seeing all the other verses in Scripture. The ones that reference Junia as “like an apostle,” and Priscilla, who—though it was countercultural—was listed first ahead of her husband Aquila in three of the four instances where their names appear together in Scripture. (Technically, their names occur six times, but twice they are mentioned in narrative passages where their names don’t appear side by side.) And, that 4th one? It was in 1 Corinthians. That is significant because 1 Corinthians is the book where Paul instructs the women to be silent. It was a society that had been infiltrated by lust and sexual sin. So, from that, I can agree that there may be times when women should step down and willingly submit to men. However, I would argue that’s cultural not theological.

There are other women that also have caught my attention. Ladies like Mary the Mother of Jesus, Jesus’ disciples that were women (this was also totally counter-cultural), Deborah, Esther, Rahab and Ruth. Each one carries a story that we can and should learn from. A story that for some reason, God needed a woman to enact the drama rather than a man. And, that in itself is significant.

My husband loves being in his tractor perhaps as much as I love serving in the Church. I take joy in watching him don his seedcorn cap as he cares for the land and tends the animals. I find delight knowing that he’s exercising the gifts and passions the Lord has tucked away in his heart -- even though that was a woman's job many years ago. While there have been seasons that I have questioned the Lord as to why He gave these passions and gifts to a woman, I'm learning to embrace the person God in His wisdom made me to be.

So, as that 3688 drives out of our yard and down the road, I will praise the Lord for His design in
crafting my beloved’s heart, and praise Him for His design in crafting mine, too.