Submitting to the patriarchy in their heads

Don’t miss Laura Grace Robins’ excellent post Christian Manning up.  Just a teaser (emphasis mine):

You can’t insist on being an independent career woman and take on the values of the modern world yet also shiver into an 1800 timid, Christian girl when it comes to dating.  He insists these women are not feminists, but as my readers know there are also sheep that insist they are not wolves. A career woman with a cross around her neck does not negate her feminist choices.

As I mentioned the discussion on my own post on the topic, it strikes me that these suddenly passive Christian husband searchers are being too clever by half.  They loudly proclaim that they are dutifully awaiting the orders of their Father.  In doing so they are creating a faux patriarchy, substituting God for their earthly father (and later their husband) because submitting to the authority of the latter would have the practical effect of constraining them.  To borrow a phrase which has become popular around here, they are submitting to the patriarchy in their heads.

Of course, all God needs to do is serve them with a duly notarized and processed command telling them whom to marry and they will gladly follow. I presume they expect it to transpire something like this:

God’s Process Server:  Are you Cindy Christlike?

Cindy Christlike:  Why yes, I am.  Why do you ask?

God’s Process Server:  (puts papers in her hand)  You are hereby commanded to stop pining away, quit your high status but surprisingly unfulfilling career, marry that man over there and start making babies.

Cindy Christlike:  Well, um, what kind of car does he drive?  Is he the secret mulitmillionaire hunky handyman I have prayed for?…

[God’s Process Server becomes impatient]

Um, sorry, old habit.  I’ll get right on that.  How long before I dust off the Fireproof script and threaten divorce so that multiple worthy men compete for my heart?

God’s Process Server:  Wait at least 3 years.  4 or 5 is better.  Ideally you should wait until your youngest child is out of diapers.

Absent that, many will no doubt follow their tingle only to blame God for steering them wrong with regard to excuse #6.