Simply Be a Woman

There's things that I can't stand completely behind, things that burden my spirit. The worst part is, it seems good and I'm over here trying to figure out why it's not something I can celebrate, when it is in fact a celebration that even includes me, one that I'm not left out of. As you're already aware of, today was International Women's Day. And I'm not really sure how to say it or what might even come out on this page. And I'm not sure I want it to be seen on a social outlet because of the repercussions of misunderstanding and critical hearts that may twist my words. 

I love women. I'm currently trying to learn how to better love on women, to serve women, to meet them in their need. I'm continually growing more passionate about injustice that strikes out against women here, there, now, across the globe. I've been pushed to think how to bring change in these areas. I've been asked to describe God's heart towards women, I've been brought to tears because of it. I've asked Jesus to keep breaking my heart for my sisters, His dear ones. I've been furious at various cultures and customs and the treatment of women, suppressing of women, the fact that their value isn't even recognized. It's a great deception of our day.

But there's further deception in our day. When suddenly the focus has shifted to everything being about the woman. Women's movements, women's marches, women's activists, the feminist movement. The sad part is, is that the very thing they're trying to uphold- femininity- they're tearing apart. I have not seen true femininity in any of these things. The sad part is, I think the enemy often uses polar opposites against us. In developing countries women don't have rights, are not valued, are 'replaceable'. In developed countries we think we're fighting against that, so we sprint so far in the opposite direction, by advocating against all of that, demanding those things. Which sounds like a good thing. But can too much of a good thing, sometimes not be a good thing? I don't want to be misunderstood. Change does need to come. But this is not the way to do it.

Women, you are called. You are His. You are a treasure. A delight. You are lovely. You are beautiful. You can be who He made you to be. You are loved. You are blessed. You are a daughter. By you being born, you have offered so much to the world around you. By you being born, another generation may be able to be born. You have so much purpose. You are by no means worthless. You are not here just to be walked over. You are not meant to be weak. You are not meant to be unprotected. You are not just a sex object. You are not less important or hold a lesser value. You are truly meant to be a woman. You are meant to walk that out. You are meant to know honor, value, freedom, support, encouragement. You are meant to be feminine. And femininity is a glorious thing. The world is starving to have a true image of what that really looks like; until they know, they will be fighting a battle for something less to take its place.

I honestly don't know how to celebrate women's day. Because it seems like a broken cry from a broken world. We're hungry for more. It has become self-focused, bashing the opposite gender, trying to become equal in all things when we we're intrinsically made for great (and different) purposes and qualities. Sure, celebrate your power, because that's what women's day really is celebrating, but that does not mean that we have to prove ourselves better, it does not mean that it gives us an excuse to act indecently, shout at the top of our lungs, give ourselves over to something that isn't supposed to be. Why don't we celebrate Women's day by being a woman. That's how I'm going to celebrate, and not just today, but everyday. I want to keep asking how to keep living out a life of true femininity in a world that no longer knows what that looks like. I don't have to try to be a man. I can simply be a woman, and I think shockingly things would change if we all fought to be a woman everyday instead of trying not to be everything that a woman is. Do we celebrate men's day? Not that I'm aware of. If "equality" is what we're pushing for, I don't think we're doing a very good job. That too saddens my heart. The amount of men that are no longer given support as well. In the name of proclaiming our rights, perhaps we've stripped some badges of honor from our manly brothers, and then those same men are put into question why they are not men of honor. My heart hurts not only for my dear women, but for my dear men too. Greatness is there, but neither will recognize it.

Both men and women are the heroes in the stories that God has written, and I want to continue to see that to be the case. But I'll have to let the change start with me and hope it catches on....

She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. – Proverbs 31:26

Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. – 1 Timothy 2:9-10

“For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at my word.” – Isaiah 66:2

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. – Colossians 3:23

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. - Titus 2:1-5

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. - Prov. 1:7

"Let brotherly love continue." - Hebrews 13:1

"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." - 1 Cor. 11:1 

He must increase, but I must decrease.” - John 3: 30 

There's a lot here, but if I want to live out my days celebrating womanhood, embracing femininity, I think this is a good place to start, and continue to build upon. I need to continue to look for what a woman should look like and live that out.  

Whatever you find yourself celebrating today, dear friend, I hope you know you you are treasured by a God who thought the world needed one of you too. Be blessed!
-hannaH