T he renown philosopher and theologian, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is famous for referring to his critics as "girly men". It is an understatement to say that being "girly" is an undesirable quality for a man to have. But is there anything wrong with a woman being labelled as "girly"?





Last time I talked about how I love the quality of loyalty in my wife. Another thing I appreciate about my wife is the fact that she is comfortable being a woman.





We live in a trans-sexual age where men are encouraged to behave more like women and women more like men. Though few people actually get the operation done and have their plumbing changed, a lot of people live that way. Some women have seen home-orientation as something to be shunned - and exchange that for the great privilege of making photocopies. I love the fact that my wife actually enjoys being a full-time mum and homebuilder. She has all together laughed at society's attempts to turn women inside-out. Now before the mob surrounds my house, this is not to say I think women shouldn't work outside the home; most of my female friends and relations do. So does the Biblical woman of Proverbs 31.





Us men are simple-minded creatures. About the age of 12 or 13 we start to judge the world by a simple criterion best illustrated by the arm-wrestling and footraces that boys of that age often engage in. Life is a simple contest for us: stronger and faster is the way to go. Women are naturally more nuanced and hold beautiful shades of complexity. It is a shame when they get sucked into a man's mindset and begin to give value to things from a man's point of view - this has been the cultural trend for some time now. We've had a devaluation of things traditionally feminine for too long. The result is that women try to be more like men and to compete in their worlds. Ironically this is called "feminism" by some, which is like calling cats attempting to be like dogs "felinism".





Against this current madness, my wife has delighted herself in her role as home-builder, mother and wife. She has never felt the need to compete with me as I have not with her. I love the way she makes bread, keeps the children dressed warm, makes the home a place where I want to be and love. She is a girl who doesn't mind being called "girly". She sees her role in home building as something honourable, valuable and beautiful. Not, as is felt by our current culture, something of low esteem. She holds fast to Scripture which says:





1 Tim 5. 14 " Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us. For some have already turned away to follow Satan."





And frankly, I find that pretty hot.



