Women: Females. Mothers. Daughters. Sisters. Wives.
Women: Independent. Hard-working. Strong. Fearless. Radiant. Powerful.
Women in other countries work. They work hard. Yesterday was spent working in the gardens with some new friends who don’t speak a lick of English. There were men and women we were working with and both had muscles much stronger than all 4 muzungoos (white people) combined. Now, the men work very hard. And they definitely deserve to be talked about. But for now, this is going to be for all the women of the world.
Women, has anyone every told you just how amazing you are? Well, it’s true. You are. You do things that men could never do. Women, you are powerful, you are unique, you are selfless and hardworking and so much more. For now, though, we are going to focus on three things that you are.
- Women, you are strong.
“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” Proverbs 31:17
Okay, can we just talk about how strong women are? We can carry so much weight whether we know it or not. I have seen women all over the world carry unimaginable things without even breaking a sweat. I saw 85 year women carry bundles of freshly cut wheat the size of their own bodies on their backs in Ecuador, I saw ladies in India carry three backs of rice on their head and hips as they took it back to their families, and in Zambia, I have seen women carry 25 liter buckets on their heads full to the brim, overflowing with water. Ladies, you have muscle! Your bodies are fierce. You can work, sweat, lift because the Lord gave us a body that can.
- Women, you put family first while still getting the job done.
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:28
Women, you love your families and will do anything for them. It is evident. But you also follow your own loves and passions and careers while bringing your family with you. We were working in the fields the other day and I look over only to find a woman working right alongside of us with her five-week old little boy on her back. I look in my other direction and there is another power house with her six month old on her back. I look around and see an abundance of kids, watching their moms, helping out when mom asks. Women, you can have your dreams, your schooling, your career, and you can bring your family with you.
- Women, you radiate joy.
“…for the joy of the Lord is our strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
Laugh, jump, sing, dance, smile. Ladies, you do it so well. Your smile lights up rooms. Your laughs are contagious. You teach others to dance and shake what their momma gave em. You sing like no one is listening.
You spread joy whether you know it or not. When you are singing to your baby while working or laughing at the mazungus (white people) with your friends. You are joy and it is evident that your joy comes from the Lord.
So women, thank you. Thank you for being powerful and wonderful, strong and joyful, real and unique. You inspire other women to be just that… a woman.
