Happy International Women's Day
A thank you to the Women...
Today I am thankful. Thankful for women. Thankful for women who have paved the way. Women who have heard the call. Women who have fully lived their lives. Each day I am inspired to love harder, care deeper and learn more because of the women who inspire me. During my almost 28 years of life I have been so lucky to continually be surrounded by strong women who have nurtured me and pushed me to be stronger.
I think first of my own mother, my mother who gave me life. My mother who taught me that women are equal to men. My mother who led by example, that women can and will be leaders in the church. My mother who upon ever hearing language in church that spoke of humanity with male language would lean over and tell me how to change that language to include women. My mother who has everyday of my life encouraged me to be a strong woman and to believe in myself. My mother from whom I received much of my passion and strong opinions. Thank you mom :)
I am thankful to my women friends. College friends and friends that I have met at many other junctures in life. I have felt so lucky to share life with some amazingly stellar friends. My friends have listened to my rants, have not judged my mistakes but have challenged me to be better. My friends have joined with me on many adventures; road trips, exploring, and trips all over the world. My friends have taught me the value of strong female friendships. My friends have also led by example. My friends are teachers, social workers, community developers, service workers all over the world, health care workers, counselors, peacemakers, advocates, mothers, pastors and farmers. My women friends teach me everyday that I can take on the world and they remind me that they are always by my side.
I am grateful for the women who are leaders in the church. Women who have in the past and continue today to break down the belief that women can't be pastors, professors of theology or spiritual leaders. Women who have not needed to change who they are and have stood up for what they believe. Women who are also changing the face of the church, making it a place that is welcoming, creative and refreshingly open to the spirit of our creator. Thank you to the women who have flourished despite those members of the church who just don't think women have the ability or gifts to be pastors.
I am thankful for the past 6 months that I have been in Zimbabwe because I have continued to meet amazing women who are living life with so much joy and passion. Women who are raising children on their own, women who are leaders and creators of amazing organizations, women who do anything for children and teenagers who have been abandoned or abused and women who humbly take no credit for their hard work each and every day. I am grateful to have another mother here in Zimbabwe and now a sister. My Zimbabwean mother and sister and I went out for coffee and snacks to celebrate International women's day. I was reminded of what a support they have been to me over the past 6 months. We have enjoyed many conversations, many cooking experiments in the kitchen and many adventures together. They are passionate women and I will forever be grateful that they let me into their family.
My host mother, sister an me out for coffee and dessert to celebrate International Women's Day!
I am thankful for women. Women who:
-lead the way
-who follow
-who work all day
-who stay at home
-women with new insights
-women looking for deeper meaning in life
-women who do it all
-women who balance work and self care
-women who are seeking peace
-women filled with passion
-women who listen
-women who speak up
-women full of spirit
-women sharing the difficult experiences they have faced
-women who are open
-women who long to be open
My list could go on forever. I am thankful for the women who have spoken into my life and have taught me to never give up my dreams. I pray that women will continue to support one another and encourage each other even though some days it may feel like the world is against us. I pray today for women who have experienced hurt or violence, physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. Women who may feel like they are unable to love or be loved. My hope is that we, in this world strive for peace, for an end to violence and we would create spaces for healing. I am also thankful to the men in life who believe that women are their equals. I am thankful for men who have spoken up when women are being slighted. I am thankful for my father and brother who support and love me each day of my life, have listened to and understood my feminist beliefs and have believed in me and the gifts I offer the world.
Thank you, women! Thanks for inspiring me and teaching me to love myself as a woman. May we continue to strive for equality and peace. Believe in yourself and know you are beautiful and loved.
