Comments on: G.K. Chesterton on Women

By: Lee

Lee — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:32:47 +0000

Thanks, Nancy. I am a pianist/musician and the perfectionist tendencies are strong. Because of this, I do shy away from stuff that I think I would only render halfway decent. That is encouraging to think that I can pursue things with a heart of joy to learn and also embrace the fruit of the labor, even if the fruit itself not up to par with my vision of excellence.

By: Nancy Ann

Nancy Ann — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:31:48 +0000

Lee,
Chesterton is showing us that we may pursue many things without the pressure of being a pro at any of them. I love to cook and bake, but my cooking doesn’t hold a candle to the French chef who owns a restaurant downtown. But that doesn’t make me feel like giving up on the cooking, even though I serve up some pretty lazy-looking dinners. And if you knit a scarf, you might surprise yourself and delight your child or your husband or some other lucky recipient. If you leave gardening and decorating and sewing to those with more skill, you’ll be robbing yourself of the pleasure of learning and the blessing of seeing the fruit of your labors. The pursuit of excellence may be a standard God has not imposed. He may be more pleased with a homey mediocrity that is overflowing with joy and thanksgiving for funny hand-knit sweaters.

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:34:48 +0000

How can we reconcile this with a pursuit of excellence? I want to be excellent in what I do, insofar as I am capable. I know i might be able to knit a scarf, but I think I’d rather leave it to someone who had more skill in this area because I don’t want to produce a lazy-looking scarf. I think I see where GK is coming from on the one hand and I agree. But on the other hand, I wonder if there are some unintentional implications about giving only second best to a task.

By: Kelly Orr

Kelly Orr — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:37:29 +0000

Such a wonderfully encouraging post! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

By: Smithmommy7

Smithmommy7 — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:09:04 +0000

Wow, great post! Thank you for such an encouraging tid-bit to make housewives/mommies be reassured of our calling and the importance it has, especially in a world that looks down on and degrades our â€œprofessionâ€! Blessings to you, dear sister!

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:41:08 +0000

I like the idea of thinking on our interests as hobbies. If I was trying to be competitive it would stiffle my creative juices. I love photography. It is a hobby for the moment. This post helped me to want to do it more and not feel like I have to a “professional”!

By: Mandie

Mandie — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:00:51 +0000

Thanks for this. I’ve always wondered about that phrase “a jack of all trades, but a master of none” and if it applies to all my jobs as wife and mom and you’ve brought much clarity.

By: Valerie (Kyriosity)

Valerie (Kyriosity) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:16:30 +0000

Gotcha. Thanks.

By: Sheila

Sheila — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:40:10 +0000

I think that woman learn from each others “second hobbies” and men learn from competing with one another. I myself do not learn well from competition. I focus on feelings too much in competition; I either feel sorry for my opponent and do not really compete or feel sorry for my self once I have lost after giving it my all. I think this aspect is very evident in debating; I much rather get advice from more than one person and think over it than have a debate I even feel uncomfortable watching debates. Again, its the feeling sorry for the loser, even if he’s wrong.

By: Billie

Billie — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:26:14 +0000

This is a lovely quote. Definitely worth painting on a wall! Maybe a daughter’s bedroom…