Stages of Life

God made Eve to be Adam's suitable helper (helpmeet) -- to complement him (complete) -- to be the perfect fit in physical, emotional, and spiritual ways. Although a woman has a subordinate role in the family, that is not a statement regarding her intellectual capabilities.  Rather, it is a position which affords her great power and responsibility and from which she can do the most good.

Yet, women of all ages would be very lonely and misunderstood if they didn't have other women to learn from and relate.  Contrary to all the romance novels or movies,  men do not satisfy all the needs women have.  However, in a humanistic society, women compete with each other rather than serve and support each other.  Sadly, this is very prevalent amongst professing Christians.

From a very early age, girls need to be a part of the greater discussions among older women -- either in family settings or at church. Sitting in a some "grown-up" female conversations can prepare them for the changes they currently expereience and issues to expect in the future.

I made a point with my daughters to give them time with women of various ages to acquire a new skill and to learn not all women do things the same way. It is important that young women are not left to discuss all the important stages of life with others of their own age or level of experience.  Of course, a mother needs to be selective in whom she allows to speak into her daughter's life, but the criteria need not be agreement on every minor issue of doctrine or practice.  You want to "widen the circle" for your girls with God-fearing women who have works that demonstrate their faith.  In the process, they will learn what it is like for a menopausal women, a post-partum woman, a newly pregnant women, a newly married woman, etc.

The stages of a woman's life definitiely have their challenges.  But with faithful sisters around to help us manuever through the waters, they can also be intensely rewarding.