Church Blog

July 20 2010 at 5:27 pm

‘A Woman’s Answer to a Man’s Question’

3 Comments

To close his message this past Sunday, Joshua Harris read a poem from the 19th century by Mary T. Lathrap. (Sorry to all you first service people; due to first service running long, Josh read the poem in second service only—part of the motivation for sharing it here.)

Lathrap’s poem was “written in reply to a man’s poetic unfolding of what he conceived to be a woman’s duty.”  It went hand in hand with Josh’s sermon text for the day: “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”—1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the hand above—
A woman’s heart, and a woman’s life
And a woman’s wonderful love?

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy,
Demanding what others have died to win,
With the reckless dash of a boy?

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Man-like you have questioned me;
Now stand at the bar of my woman’s soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart to be true as God’s stars,
And as pure as heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef;
I require a far better thing.
A seamstress you’re wanting for socks and shirts;
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called home,
And a man that the maker, God,
Shall look upon as he did the first
And say, “It is very good.”

I am fair and young, but the rose will fade
From my soft, young cheek one day,
Will you love me then ‘mid the falling leaves,
As you did ‘mid the bloom of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give all this, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot do this — a laundress and cook
You can hire, with little to pay,
But a woman’s heart and a woman’s life
Are not to be won that way.





This is a great poem. I don’t remember him reading it? Was it read at both the morning and afternoon celebrations?

By Gerry H. on 07/21/2010

Thank you for asking about this. Josh read the poem in the second service only, as time ran a bit tight in the first service.

Don Nalle
Communications Director
Covenant Life Church

By commsdon on 07/21/2010

I read this with tears in my eyes.  So true!!!

By Sarah Jones on 07/23/2010
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