Chivalry.

"Chivalry is dead." 

How many times have you heard this phrase? 

As a woman growing up in a feministic society, I've heard it plenty of times. In fact, it's been engrained in my brain. That simple phrase slips out of my mouth when a guy fails to open the car door for me or takes the recliner during movie night while I am stuck on the floor. This seemingly harmless phrase has been bouncing around in my head over the summer as I have dug deeper into the meaning of being a true woman of Christ. 

The Christian side of us begs for a man who is going to open the car door and let us have the recliner. We recognize that we are daughters of the King and deserve to be treated with respect. However, society's fascination with feminism has wrecked our view of chivalry. We are now annoyed when he opens the car door for us because "does he really think I can't do that myself?", and we begin to confuse attempted chivalry with the implications that we are incapable of completing such tasks ourselves. 

Instead of accepting chivalry as it is, we twist it into something it's not and then project it's negativity back on the guy. We demand chivalry and then express our annoyance at it when it is displayed because we insist on being strong, self-sufficient women. If someone you love is constantly getting annoyed or frustrated by something you do, don't you eventually stop doing it? Chivalry isn't dead; it's simply hidden in the hearts of men who have been consistently rejected by "independent" women. 

Ladies, letting him open the car door for you isn't going to take away your independence or identity. It's simply a small way for him to show you he cares. If you want a man who is chasing after the heart of God, he will be respectful and chivalrous because it's a desire of his heart. Don't take that away from him.

Men, don't be afraid to show us you care. When you find the right girl, she won't be scared away by acts of chivalry, but will cherish them instead. Look for a woman of Christ who is humble enough to not only accept your acts of chivalry, but thank you for them.