First Ladies

Our First Ladies

"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Esther 4:14b

She is the closest thing we'll ever have to royalty in America. She is our queen. What should the First Lady be like? We've had many wonderful First Ladies through the years, from Martha to Laura. Some have been exquisite examples of what a leaders wife should be, others have not met with our expectations. We scrutinize her from the moment her husband begins his campaign to the end of his administration. At the inaugural festivities, we criticize her choice of outfit for the swearing in and her gown for the balls. Often, we don't like the way she wears her hair and we wish she'd just change her style.

We all have our own perception of what the First Lady should be. We imagine qualities we would like to see her possess. We grumble and complain about everything she does or doesn't do. That should indict us. Remember, the First Lady of the United States does not have to meet our expectations. Like us, she's only human and prone to make mistakes, and to sin.

The Bible gives us the description of a woman the First Lady might desire to be like; a pastor's wife. Isn't being the President's wife much like being the Pastor's wife? Yes, it is. Her husband is a leader and she must act the part. She must respond with grace and love to all who come in contact with her and to those who do not. She must not only speak with grace, she must be grace in human form.

Let's look at what the Bible has to say about what a leader's wife should be.
1 Timothy 3:11 tells us:

"In the same way their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything."

Ask these questions about the current First Lady. How does she match up?

Is she worthy of respect?
Is she free of malicious speech?
Is she self-restrained?
Can she be trusted?

Ask these questions about past First Ladies. How do they match up?

Now, ask the same questions about Yourself. How do you match up?

It is a hard thing we ask her to do. Being perfect is not easy for anyone. It's especially hard when someone is just waiting for you to stumble. The First Ladies of our country deserve the utmost respect because of their position. We don't have to agree with everything she or her husband does, but as citizens of the United States of America, it is our duty to respect her.

Each First Lady has brought her own special style to the White House. How would you do if your were chosen to her position? Think about how you would decorate the White House and what things would you be criticized for? How would your style impact America? What would you change or not change about your personal style? How would your personality impact American women? What would you change or not change about your personality?

As we look in to the fishbowl that is the existence of our First lady and our pastors wives, we must first look in to God's mirror-- the Word of God, to see how we're doing. Does the mirror of God's Word, [James1: 24-25] show you as you should look as a representative of Jesus Christ? Our first lady is the crowning glory of America, our pastors wives are the crowning glory of our church and we are the crowning glory of our family. How do you measure up in the mirror?

It's important for us, as Christian women to understand and know God. We can only know Him through prayer and reading His Word. Dig into the Scriptures today. Proverbs 31 is a good place to start, then think about other women of the Bible and read their stories too.

Please remember to pray for Mrs. Bush and her husband, the President. They have much to do and they need God's wisdom to do it. I know they will appreciate your prayers.