Review: Girl Talk
Girl Talk: Mother-Daughter Conversations on Biblical Womanhoodby Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Mahaney Whitacre
We all know the old adage, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." In spite of the adage, I have to confess I don't usually follow it; a cover speaks volumes to me, whether it's right or wrong. And I was wrong this time and almost missed out.
You see, I've seen Girl Talk advertised many places - many reputable places - I might add. But in all honesty, a book with a hot pink cover and a phone and a shopping bag just doesn't seem to jive much with my view of Biblical Womanhood... and supposedly, that's what this book was about.
I'm glad I took time to get past the cover though, because from the first page, I was laughing and "Amen-ing" my way through. Carolyn and her daughter, Nicole, have done a beautiful service for mothers and daughters everywhere through this book. From the importance of developing a lifelong mother-daughter relationship, to how to teach your daughter about modesty, to how to prepare your daughter to be a future homemaker (one of my favorite chapters, not surprisingly!), to friendships, to courtship, they cover many pertinant topics from a Biblical standpoint honed through much study, prayer, and years of experience.
Though I will readily admit I am more conservative than them in some subjects (For instance, I don't think a modest one-piece swimsuit cuts it when it comes to modesty - at least pair it with some board shorts or something. You can direct all rotten tomatoes right here, thank you very much.) and I probably error much more on the side of caution when it comes to exposing our children to the world, I still feel that this book would be highly beneficial to many mothers and daughters, especially those struggling in their relationship or moms who feel their daughters are being pulled by the world.
Oh, and don't forget to visit the Girl Talk blog. I hear they have another book in the works, too. Can't wait to get my hands on a copy when it is finished! This time, no matter what the cover, I'll no better to not pass judgment until I've read it.
posted by Crystal Paine at 1:07 PM
6 Comments:
We attend a Sovereign Grace church and I can attest to you, after seeing the "Mahaney" women in different settings, they live what they say (or in their case, what they type!). It is quite refreshing in these days to see an all-out passionate pursuit of our Savior and His cross. I'm glad you took the time to read and write about this book.
No rotten tomatoes from me,Crystal.My current swimsuit is a purple one-piece with knee-length
board-shorts always worn over the top.(The only time I wear shorts).Our girls wear swimming Tshirts paired with pretty board shorts- far more practical & sun-safe as well as modest.
Claire
Hey Crystal! I enjoy reading your blog, and I think you have a lot of very insightful words to say! Thank you!
My mother taught me skills to run an efficient household while also encouraging me to pursue a career. My father equally participates in the homemaking activities, such as doing a lot of the cooking and vacuuming. Because I respect your convictions (Christian girl to Christian girl), I was wondering if you plan on encouraging your daughter to pursue a career, or some sort of job skills, outside of being a future homemaker. My mother was not encouraged to obtain a college degree, even though she really wanted one, and has always regretted not having a career in addition to traditional homemaking. But that’s just my two cents. I’d love to hear your insight! :-)
Hi, Mermade!
I'm guessing you haven't read here too long or you'd probably know better where I stand on this. :) You might enjoy reading some of the archives for more perspective. Or, just keep reading here for a few more months because I'm sure we'll discuss this at length again!
In a nutshell, I personally believe that a woman cannot be a career woman and a Godly wife and mother. It is serving two masters. I encourage you to read over some of this post for more perspective:
http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/2006/08/dont-marry-career-women.html
In the comments section there, I wrote:
Yes, there can be a difference between a "career woman" and a woman who has a job outside the home for a season of her life. A career woman, by my definition, is someone who has a job for her own ambitions and is following a career path for her own self. Because of this, she will often readily sacrifice her family and her home and her marriage for the sake of her career (or she may not have any in the first place in order that it doesn't hamper with her career). That's how I view a career woman. I never see that this kind of woman could be glorifying God by pursuing a career because her whole ambition is to glorify herself.
On the other hand, as I try to make clear, I don't think it's always wrong to hold a job outside the home. The motives are what makes it right or wrong. For instance, if a woman is working full-time because her husband wants her to or asks her to and she is working because she is seeking to honor her husband, that's not a "career woman" in my definition. I think she should do everything she can to be frugal, to be content, and possibly consider finding ways to earn money from home on the side so that maybe someday she can be home full-time, but her husband may always want her to work, regardless of how much money she saves, how content she is, etc.
-----------
As to whether we will encourage our daughter to pursue a career: We want to encourage her and train her and equip her to become a Godly, efficient, organized, well-rounded, frugal, and joyful wife, mother, and homemaker. We want to equip her with skills to not only be able to run a household efficiently and beautifully, but to also be a frugal and wise steward of the resources God has given her. We also desire to equip her with marketable skills and an entreprenuerial vision that she can fulfill while not neglecting her more important role as a keeper of the home.
For more thoughts on this, I encourage you to read my article: Recapture the Nobility of Home:
http://www.biblicalwomanhood.com/article108.htm
Blessings!
Thank you, Chrystal, for your great response! And yes, I am a new reader! :-) I found your link through The Happy Feminist's blog. I really enjoy your writing!
While I understand your perspective on career women, I must say that I respectfully disagree. I plan on becoming an English teacher someday, and I do not believe that having a career as a married woman is a selfish act. I would be using my talents to teach in order to glorify God in the educational system. I have always enjoyed teaching others how to become better readers and writers, and I feel that God is calling me to reach out to children in that area.
I personally read the passage about not serving two masters (God and money) a little differently. But that's just me. My desire to be an English teacher is less about how much money I will make, and more about my desire to help others become better readers and writers. In that instance, I am not glorifying myself. I strive to glorify God through letting Him work through me in the K-12 educational system. The honor of God, no matter where I do my life's work, is the focus of my heart.
I think of Joyce Meyer, a popular T.V. minister, who uses her speaking talent to glorify the Lord. She has made an amazing career for herself as a popular writer, TV minister and preacher. She has a career that takes up much of her time, but also raised her children and is a devoted wife. Therefore, I think it is possible to be a godly woman and have a fulltime career. I have never read a passage in the Bible that states that married women should not have careers.
My family and children will always be my first priority. But they are not the only people I feel that I am called to help. I truly would love to be a stay-at-home mother while my children are young. And I plan on pursuing that when the time is right for me to have kids. When my children grow up and move out, though, I want to have the option of to glorifying God and meaningful work in a place other than my home.
Again, this is just *my* opinion. It is neither right nor wrong. You are an amazing woman with extremely admirable convictions. I enjoy your blog very, very much! And thank you for letting me share my thoughts on this. :-)
I'll have to read this book sometime. I don't have a daughter (yet), but I do have a neice who I spend a lot of time with and I bet there are some good pointers in there for me to read and know as her auntie. No tomatoes here either, Crystal. ITA that pretty much any swim suit on the market for women is not modest. I finally made do by pairing a UV suit (lycra that went to my elbows and shorts that went almost to my knees one piece) with a swim skirt to get something decently modest. I'm considering purchasing a pattern like the one you offer and making myself something a little more nice looking. Here's a question for you - does your sister have a pattern in the works for a modest maternity swim suit? I may need one next summer, and it's something I've never seen.
Post a Comment
<< Home