Jimmy Carter addressed the country in 1980 and designated a week in March as National Women’s Week. He said, “From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.” Seven years later, the month of March was designated as National Women’s Month.
Saturday night, I had the honor and privilege of speaking to women at the First Baptist Church in Lake, MS. “We want the women to show up, be served a great meal and to feel special.” Furthermore, FBC-Lake feels “women are just precious in the sight of God and man and they wanted to celebrate them.” So, they invited me to speak while men’s ministry cooked dinner and the student ministry served. It was a beautiful night. Yes, what a beautiful event this was to behold the men wanting to personally shower the women with love.
In my preparation to speak, it was good for me to see that our nation “valued” women’s contributions. However, as I was thinking about women being “precious in the sight of God and man”, I wanted to see how God valued women. I didn’t have to dig very deep. I went to Genesis.
Genesis 1 discusses the history of creation. In verse 26, God says, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness: let them have dominion over the fish, birds, cattle and the earth…” Then we get to chapter 2 and in verse 18, God decided it was not good for man to be alone, so He is going to create a helper for Adam. Reading on, we find Adam named each created being. Yet, in verse 20, we discover that no suitable companion was found for Adam. So, in verse 21, we find God puts Adam in a deep sleep while He removed a rib bone, thus, forming the first woman. Verse 23 describes Adam seeing the woman for the first time. He says: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
I found it interesting that God chose a rib bone to create the first woman. Yes, this got me wondering … why a rib bone? So, I conducted a little reading on rib bones. Generally speaking, ribs have three important functions:
o Support – “The ribcage provides a framework onto which the muscles of the chest, back, upper abdomen and shoulder girdle can attach.”
o Respiration – “Ribs also assist in breathing.”
o Protection – “The ribs protect the heart, liver, kidneys and the lungs from any external injury.”
Sounds like every woman I know … we provide support, keep things going, and protect those we love.
I then started thinking about God creating a helper “comparable to Man”. When I studied that scripture, I savored the Amplified Bible Version of verse 2:18, “Now the Lord God said, ‘It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] suitable and complementary for him’.”
Now, I’m intrigued by the word, “balance”. As I read over the many definitions of the word “balance”, I began seeing women as bringing balance or harmony into sight. It seems to me, we (women) complement men to such a degree that stability is achieved in a holistic fashion.
Women, My Sisters …
• we have purpose,
• we are strong,
• we are valuable, and
• we are precious in the sight of God.
Here’s the kicker, we have purpose and are strong, valuable, and precious regardless whether we feel that way or not! God created us exactly as He wanted, according to His perfect design.
Now that we know we have purpose and who we are in God’s sight, Let’s. Get. Real!
Life happens. We are subjected to situations that, frankly, turn us inside-out! It is during these upside-down, traumatic times, we forget that God created us for a purpose as strong, valuable and precious created beings. Yep, sometimes we can’t breathe! We are overwhelmed and don’t know which way is up.
When I speak to groups, my desire is to not only be an avenue for hope, but to offer specific practices to put into place to continue living with hope. While I was preparing to speak and thinking about how life can turn us upside-down and inside-out with no warning, I thought about ways we can prepare ourselves for these situations when (not if) they come. Specifically, I began thinking about how do I plan for the next wave or storm that will hit me.
This is where my love of jewelry comes in. I’ve said before I love jewelry and believe it’s genetically in my DNA as I come from a long line of women who share my love of jewelry. I rarely leave the house “un-jewelried”. I once heard someone say, “If I can’t lose it, I’ll just decorate it” … meaning, if I can’t lose this weight, at least I can make it look good! So, there’s further justification to wear jewelry. I always wear earrings my husband gave me and a thrivelet. I also wear a piece of my first-born, a piece of Savannah’s jewelry, when I go out.
I love all kinds of jewelry, but I especially love BEADS. Any kind of beads. Big beads, little seed beads. Pearls, semi-precious stones, wooden beads, Mardi Gras beads. Paper beads, stone beads, metal beads.
You get it, I love beads.
I have various strands of all kinds.
So, I want to give you with a hypothetical strand of beads when you find yourself not feeling strong. Maybe you don’t think you can take another breath. Or, you don’t think you have it in you to protect anyone, let alone yourself.
Go find yourself a strand of beads when your world turns you upside-down. As you are placing this strand over your head to rest around your neck, realize these beads tell you exactly what to do:
• B – Find your Balance
Between the hype, awe, responsibilities, expectations. Seek ways to get grounded…maybe it’s go for a walk, read scripture, call a friend, pray, help a neighbor, do yoga, breathe (intentional breathing for 2-3 minutes does wonders); maybe have an ongoing project your working on (my husband is working on a 1964 outboard motor). Step away from the hype for a moment and get grounded.
• E – Experience Stillness and Know that He is God
Take time to relate to Jesus Christ as Savior. Easter is approaching. Allow yourself to identify with Mary and Jesus sometime during this Easter season by putting yourself at the foot of the Cross. Ask God to give you a glimpse of what it might have been like for them. Listen to what God may have for you. Refrain from telling God what He “ought” to do and listen to Him.
• A – Ask for a little encouragement.
When you get overwhelmed and need “just a little” encouragement (or whatever it is you need in the moment to turn you right-side up), call out to the Great Encourager and EXPECT to be encouraged beyond your imagination. Expect He will provide you with exactly what you need in the manner you need it. After you ask, then trust and expect.
• D – Delight yourself in the LOVE of Christ.
Once you identify with Him, you’ve asked for and expect that encouragement (or whatever) will occur, then position yourself to totally be engulfed in His love. I mean REALLY feel it!
• S – Savor every moment!
Make yourself appreciate every moment (whether the moments are pleasurable or not). Savor every moment you’re given as it could be your last.
Remember, women, we are a strong source of support who keeps things going and aren’t afraid to take care of business. Men, you are no exception.
The next time your world turns upside down and you don’t feel supported, able, or protected … go find your beads, wear them like a BOSS and THRIVE!
Enjoy this picture of my beautiful grandmother who enjoyed a good piece of jewelry and passed that gene on. I am going to have the privilege of attending a family reunion with “that” side of the family this weekend. Yes, I will be wearing some jewelry and probably my BEADS.
Remember, God is right there with you!
Stephanie