This poem was inspired by 1 Peter 3:3-5 which reads:
"Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."
These verses have always stood out to me and have raised several questions in my heart over the years. I think it's an easily agreeable concept when Peter talks about placing more value on the inner character of a woman than what she looks like on the outside but I think the challenge for me comes when he talks about women having a "gentle and quiet spirit."
What's interesting is I've discovered over time that I'm not alone in my quandaries and it would seem that some other women find these verses quite hard to relate to as well. At times I've heard ladies comment on this section, frequently with an air of confusion and sometimes slight unease. I remember once hearing a lady say:
"We're encouraged to have a "gentle and quiet spirit" but what does that even mean?"