My family, my world. I am more grateful every day for the people God gifted me with, called family. We are not perfect. We are flawed–Pretty much all of us. But, we love. We forgive. We grant pardon, we embrace, we venture on, because This is Us. This is our family.
What if women…had a more prominent leadership role in the Church worldwide?
What if women still respected men as leaders, lived Biblically sound lives, but had a chance to speak their minds in a humble and unique way? Traditionally, it doesn’t happen very much. Most women aren’t jerky and demanding about it. They’re just quiet. And passive. And really quiet. Their voices of individual leadership, uniqueness, and creativity aren’t heard very often.
More than almost anything, I want my 3 young women to know there is a place for them at the table.
It saddens me when the topic of women in church becomes a divisive thing. What if it didn’t have to be? Really.
I love men. My dad is a man. My brothers are men. I have a zillion male cousins—I was raised in a world of men, (sort of like being brought up with a pack of wolves, but they were generally very fun wolves. 😉 )
I married a man. I love him deeply. I completely respect him.
I respect and admire my pastors more than they or anyone could know.
But..what if?
I believe women would raise issues that aren’t being raised. I believe the worldwide orphan problem might be solved. I firmly and wholeheartedly believe more broken people will be healed. Sharing our stories gives strength to both the listener and the teller.
Shame dies when empathy is given. Light bearing light to dark, shadowy, sometimes very sad souls brings life. Women need women to learn from. Men need women to learn from.
The women in my life are rock solid, genuine followers of the Way, the Truth and the Life. They walk and talk with Jesus. I am transformed by their love and commitment to God.
I see a trend in the young men I know. I see them seeking after spiritual leaders who are men just like them — college professors, authors, musicians, male pastors, etc as their only source for Biblical direction and interpretation. This isn’t bad, just inbalanced.
I think women would feel better about themselves knowing God can and does use women in powerful ways. I know scores of highly educated, intelligent followers of Jesus who feel worthless because there is not a place for them in the Church in The USA and around the world.
Its funny how when you throw a subject out there, like I did with this one the other day, how others can sometimes state the way you feel better than you can. I’ll leave you with a friend’s thoughts, then I’d love to hear yours:
Maybe there was a time when women weren’t the best choice as leaders and teachers. But we have women senators, congressional representatives, judges, college professors and university presidents, CEOs and hopefully someday a woman president. There have been many queens who ruled their countries, even centuries ago, and many presidents and prime ministers in other countries. There are many women heads of household. Women are scientists, doctors, astronauts, engineers, and inventors. Women hold high ranks in the armed forces and die defending our country. And women (mothers and wives) have long been understood to be primary influences in prominent men’s lives. There are many women who will be lost to the Christian message if they believe it can only come from a man’s tongue. <<
I am Proud of Hollywood’s women for not being silent or listening to the voices of shame trying to silence the #metoo movement.
Being a woman myself, having three teenage girls, sexual harassment is something we have to discuss together on an almost daily basis. Not much makes me more sad as a mom than to have to help educate them and empower them not to be silent about unwanted behavior targeted toward them. I wish it just didn’t exist.
I mentioned in a previous post that churches and religious organizations are not exempt from sexual harassment. Being a part of various churches my entire 44 years of life, I’ve seen men harass women, women harass men, young people, older people…the demographics simply don’t matter. Sexual harassment is in every nook and cranny of our current society. Schools, work places, sidewalks, malls, grocery stores, malls, online….it is simply everywhere.
Some are shocked at hearing this, accusing women who have spoken up as causing drama, wanting attention, etc. Some are just simply not aware. This is why we have to tell our stories.
I am proud of the men in my life who have treated women with respect and dignity—for those men who have been that example of what a true gentleman is.
I am proud of the women in my life for speaking up for each other—For speaking their stories so others know it has to stop.
I want my girls to live in a world where they feel safe, not degraded, celebrated, not catcalled, where they are treated as fine china, not a paper plate.
Keep speaking up, telling your stories. Make this world a better place for yourself, and for #metoo.
What Will Women Do in 2018?
I’m hoping we embrace our own best selves, That we will recognize the dignity and beauty and strength of spirit in women around us.
That we…
Bless, them-don’t curse.
Heal them with our love, don’t hurt them with our words.
That we unite because of our differences instead of distancing ourselves because of them.
That we bring truth, erase falsehood, bring joy, celebrate gladness.
And that we will create beautiful things that flow out of the joyful spirit of God living in us.
Can you imagine? I can.
Here are a few of my favorite illuminating moments from 2017. God is Good. 😊
My favorite Christmas memory is sitting alone in the dimness my Grandmas impeccable living room, adult voices from the kitchen filling the safety of the shadows. The only light on my five year old face was the blue of the nativity set single lightbulb.
I sat for hours on end just staring, arranging, rearranging the Baby Jesus and friends, wondering about that Little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
After Christmas at Grandmas, my brothers and I loaded in the back of the station wagon, me in the coveted rear facing back seat. Looking up at the frosty moon, I saw it. I knew I saw a twinkle of the Jesus star, the brightest one in the sky. I shouted “There it is! The Jesus Star!” hoping everyone else in our rumbling station wagon saw it too.
Apparently , I was the only one with eyes to see, or so I thought.
I held the warmth of the Jesus Star in my little heart and it’s been there ever since. Jesus’ Christmas present to me.
What’s your warmest Christmas memory? I’d sincerely love to hear.
