It’s “manistry” month which means all the men of iSquad are gathered together, without the women, for some manly bonding time to grow together in the Lord and in their service, and perhaps some kind of eating and burping contests as well.
But this month isn’t just about the men. Just because the men get their own month doesn’t mean the women can’t claim it as something special too. And so the term “feministry” has been coined. We are living as sisters in close community and focusing on who we are as women in the eyes of God.
I must admit, I was not excited about this month. I appreciate having guys around. I didn’t want to say goodbye to Jochem and Joseph for a month and be left with only girls who are prone to drama and constant chatter.
But here I am. It’s the second week of feministry. It hasn’t been easy, but there have been moments to celebrate, one-on-ones to cherish, and challenges in which I can claim victory.
Part of this month involves a weekly challenge and activity for us girls. I am my team’s “messeng-her” (are you following all the clever word-play?), so on Tuesdays and Thursdays I present a new card during team time. Our first challenge was this:
The challenge was greeted with mixed emotions and responses. Some were excited and others were worried.
“How will we cover all the mirrors?”
“Yes! This will be so great!”
“How will we make sure we look good for our ministry in which our appearances make the first impression? “
“We can help each other get ready in the morning!”
“Can we still wear makeup?”
The heart of the challenge was this: To take the focus off our outer appearances and refocus on our inner beauty and soul conditions.
Last Friday was the chosen day. No mirrors.
The five mirrors in the apartment were covered with bed sheets, fabric from Africa, and other linens we found in the apartment. We made it work.
The day began and I kept forgetting that the mirrors were covered. Without a thought, I would glance at the mirror and then find my reflection wasn’t staring back at me. This minor inconvenience didn’t bother me at first, but then I began to realize how often I was turning my head toward the mirror. Brushing my teeth, running my fingers through my hair, touching up my lip-gloss, checking my outfit, and the list goes on. I wanted to see how I looked, to make sure I was pleased with my appearance.
Embarrassingly enough, I even stole some glances of myself in windows on the walk to the metro. Why is it that we, as women, are so obsessed with how we look? This challenge made me realize the constancy of my mirror-mindedness.
Am I more concerned with how I look than how I act? Is my outer appearance more important to me than inner beauty? These were the questions left in my head at the end of the day.
Of course I want to look good. I want to feel pretty and I want others to think I’m pretty. But that is only the surface of me. For most women, more than skin-deep beauty, we want to be known. We desire to be more than a pretty face.
So why is it that we try so hard to be seen that way?
Without the mirror, I considered these questions.
Without the mirror, I was able to see more clearly into my issues of beauty.
Without the mirror, I realized how much I depend on it.
I don’t have it figured out, but it was a challenge from which I learned. The reflection of my outer shell in the mirror isn’t what is most important.
So this is my take-away and continued challenge for the rest of this month and beyond: The reflection of Christ’s love in my heart, through my words and actions, should be more of a focus in my life than the style of my hair, the color of my nails, or my wardrobe. Take away all the make-up, the blow dryer and curling iron, the cute clothes and accessories…
