True Companionship by Mrs

True Companionship
by Mrs. Jill Novak

        Companion. It’s not a word you hear much anymore, but in the 1800’s it was commonly used to describe a young woman’s employment by an older relative or family acquaintance. A mature girl, usually age 12 or older, would be hired to spend countless hours keeping her elderly charge company. While “having tea” or sitting together in the drawing room, the two would discuss matters of general interest and domesticity. Besides reading the Bible, it was the companion’s job to read through volumes of books such as Emerson’s Essays and Voices of the Night Ballads and Other Poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. And if her older counterpart happened to “doze off” during one of those prolonged reading sessions, the younger was free, for a time, to pursue her own interests.
      Being a companion was tiresome work – but not without its rewards, especially if your employer planned to travel abroad. You may remember the scene in Little Women where Jo grumbles about the injustices of having to be the companion of that “crabby old miser” Aunt March. The only bright spot on her horizon was a potential trip to Europe. The relationship between the two March women was strained and hardly represents the true spirit in which companionship is to be given or received.
       The word companion is found only 13 times in the Bible. In the Greek New Testament the word sugkoinonos means: participant with others in anything, a joint partnership. Another word which is closely related to it is sunergos, meaning: a companion of labor, one who labors in furthering the cause of Christ. I think these two words perfectly describe the ministry of The Girlhood Home Companion. We are joint partners with your daughter, helping her to participate in all that is feminine and lovely as she grows in the Lord, and a companion in labor, helping her cultivate godly character qualities, thus furthering the cause of Christ.
      During the Victorian era, when life moved at a much slower pace, there were distinct periods of development in a girl’s life: babyhood, childhood, girlhood, and womanhood. I have seen a marked difference between the girl my oldest daughter used to be, and the lovely woman she has become in Christ. One thing I firmly believe is that girlhood is a priceless training ground that should not be rushed.
      I am often asked what ages are appropriate for The Girlhood Home Companion. We like to think that you will read the companion to younger daughters, ages 10-11, and discuss it with older daughters, ages 12-18. Of course, there is no reason why you cannot gather with all of your daughters, young and old (and grandmothers, too), to read and discuss the articles found within these pages. In fact, we think that reading The Girlhood weekly at afternoon tea would make a lovely tradition. In that case, dear mother, you will have to hide The Girlhood from your daughters the minute it arrives in the mail.
      May you find sweet communion with the Lord and your daughters in this edition of The Girlhood Home Companion.

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness; but still will keep...
John Keats

The Girlhood Home Companion
Beauty for Your Daughter's Heart!

"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness...."
John Keats

The Girlhood Home
Companion
Beauty for Your
Daughter's Heart!

The Girlhood Home Companion is a delightful resource that centers on one godly character quality at a time. Each issue's theme is explored in-depth through editorials, articles, and stories that will minister to the heart of your daughter. There is nothing for girls like the Girlhood Home Companion!

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The New
Girlhood Home Companion

Topics and Publishing Dates:
A Joyful Spirit
November 28th, 2006

Becoming a Faith-filled Daughter
March 1st, 2007

Taking Responsibility
July 1st, 2007

Special Edition
Thanksgiving & Christmas
Issue
A Generous Heart
October 15th, 2007

Back Issues of
The Girlhood Home Companion

Back Issues
Year One
Hospitality & Servanthood
Ministering Kindness
Gratitude of the Heart
Godly Contentment

Year Two
A Quiet and Gentle Spirit
Trusting the Lord
Courage
Dependability

Year Three
Perseverance
Forgiveness
Femininity & Grace
Obedience
Patience