girls are playing called, “Jane Austen Unbound,”
where Miss Bennett and Mr. Darcy “have escaped
from Pride and Prejudice, and they’re conspiring with the heroes of Jane’s
other great novels! But to what end? That’s for you to discover as you solve
hidden object puzzles, challenge your friends, and build your own home in the
world of Jane Austen.” The young girl who I spoke to understood that everyone
was on a mission to marry Mr. Darcy.
As a mom, I would rather that my daughter daydreams about marrying a man
like Mr. Darcy, than obsessing about the popular teen idols of the day. And
while this is a sweet, seemingly harmless game, how often do we as moms share
with our daughters the traits and values that they should be praying about in a
husband? How often do we tell them that we are grateful for the godly husbands
that the Lord has provided us with, if we have been so blessed?
I will be the first to admit that I
am a Jane Austen fan. I think that enjoying some sweet, pure and moral reading
and movies is a wonderful way to spend time together with my daughters. I also
believe that Miss Austen taught a whole lot of wonderful valuable lessons.
However, I think that just like fairytales, young girls can raise the bar and
compare future men who are interested in them as wives or even their own
husbands to their ideal of “Mr. Darcy” just as if he were Prince Charming. So
it is our job, moms, to teach our daughters reality –vs.- fantasy; because,
none of us happen to be Miss. Bennett or a Princess, either.
In every day life, the Mr. that I
pray my daughters marry will need to be a man devoted to God. He would need to
love Him more than he loves himself. He would need to love Him more than he loves
my daughter. He would need to love Him more than he loves anyone else. Because
if he doesn’t; then everything else will not fall into place.
In everyday life, the Mr. that I
pray my daughters marry will love her more than any other person on earth and
will always be faithful to her in mind and body. He will only have eyes for her
and will gently, but firmly lead her to always be a stronger Christian and
student of God’s Word.
In everyday
life, the Mr. that I pray my daughters marry will be trustworthy and a man who
trusts the Lord. He will teach His family to have faith when times get hard,
because there will be those times. He will be a prayerful man and will always
lead his family in prayer during those difficult times.
In everyday
life, the Mr. that I pray my daughters marry will be a man who will raise his
family to serve the Lord. He will be a
Daddy who is a tenderhearted father while being a consistent disciplinarian and
will teach their children all about His God.
In everyday
life, the Mr. that I pray my daughters marry will be a man who is a servant
because Christ was a servant. He will be a man who will help his wife when she
is sick or sad or just tired. He will serve the church and those who need help.
And Yes, In
everyday life, the Mr. that I pray my daughters marry will be a romantic man
who makes her smile and laugh and giddy inside. But I want her to remember that
everyday he will not be this person. He is human and he will still love you
even on those days that he is not all these things. He is still your loving
husband who God gave you and tomorrow or the next day, when maybe you are not
so tired, he will make you laugh and giddy and just remember what this mom is
telling you…
In everyday
life, I also pray that my daughters strive to be all of these things for her
God and for her husband. Real life is about love and commitment and honor and
serving each other; because God gave you the gift of marriage and that is true
love! Romance is not the goal, real romance is something you work at together.
It is not something you deserve. It is something you nurture in one another.
I would not trade my “Mr. Warnes” in for a “Mr. Darcy” for
all the riches in the world. He is all of the things that I described and more!
Remember to remind your daughters of this.
With Much Love,
Mrs. Warnes
Mrs. Warnes
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