The Weaker Vessel

I Peter 3:7 (KJV)” Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

I’ve heard this scripture quoted many times to ‘put me in my place’. I was to accept being the ‘weaker vessel’. I said it then and I will repeat it now….I will become the ‘weaker vessel’ as soon as a stronger vessel appears. Until then, I must remain strong. Especially if I am the ONLY vessel.

This post is definitely not to male bash. I absolutely adore men. I believe them to be one of the greatest gifts God gave to a woman. I have to believe that….I have 3 sons. However, somewhere along the way, we have fallen off our divine paths. Perhaps the falling is to add a little flavor to what may have been a dull existence. Who knows? So again, this post is not to emasculate any man. This post is my attempt to reinforce the strength that all women possess because sometimes we forget how powerful we really are.

I’m not sure what it was like when the Apostle Peter penned that scripture; however, I do know what it’s like now. Women are no longer JUST the helpmate. Women have become ALL the help. We have taken the roles of wife, mother, nurse, community leader, employee, business owner, friend, lover, sister, daughter and so much more. We are no longer afforded the opportunity to be the ‘weaker vessel’. There are too many people looking to us for strength and guidance.

I recently visited a ‘Corrections Facility’. In other words, I visited the Tarrant County Jail. The thought of being there was enough to make me sick. What made me sick enough to write this post was all the women and children visiting their mates and fathers…..in prison. I looked around the waiting room and my eyes filled with tears. If our men(our strength) are incarcerated, where does that leave us? How can we assume the role of the helpmate or the weaker vessel when we have children (sons) to raise? How can we be weak when we must shelter those children, feed those children and clothe those children, provide their physical needs? How can we be weak when we are to shelter them from spiritual harm, feed their souls, clothe their minds, provide them with morals and values? The answer….we can’t be weak.

Of course, not every woman has these types of issues to deal with. Some women are very blessed to have their ’strength with them on a daily basis. Their ’strength’ rises early in the morning and goes to work, he considers his family in everything that he does, he makes sure their needs (physical, mental, financial, spiritual) are met, he comes home in the late evening with a smile on his face even if he is weary from work. Yes, those men exist and they are honored to be the ’stronger vessel’ for they know the precious gift they have been given. If you are such a blessed woman, be sure to ‘worship’ your man for he deserves it. If your ’strength’ is yet to come, remain strong.

In love,

J-licious