I Think of Her

On International Women’s Day I think of her.

And her.

And her.

I remember her.

And her.

And them.

And her.

And each of them.

These women who serve their husbands. Carry children in their womb, on their back. Dig in their gardens. Cook day after day.

They have inspired me.

These women who struggle. Get dirty. Don’t complain. Lose children. Get sick.

They have encouraged me.

These women who are strong. Who rise above. Who keep trying.

They have taught me.

These women who hosted me. Fed me. Walked with me. Welcomed me. Served me. Loved and cared for me.

They have humbled me.

I think of my daughter’s first mother. The one who carried her. Surrendered her.

And the one who birthed my son. Who did what she thought she had to do for survival.

They have blessed me.

This day was established because we’re striving toward equality. Equality of opportunity for all people, men and women. We’ve come a long way, though inequality is still experienced across the globe on many levels — gender, economics, education, leadership. Our eyes still have growing to do in order to see how God sees. To love how God loves. To choose how God chooses. To appoint how God appoints. To give how God gives.

For the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance — gender, attractiveness, height, wealth, influence — but the Lord looks at the heart.

May God pour his grace into our eyes that we might see. Really see those around us. Those across the ocean. Those who are different. Those who don’t believe. Those who hurt us. Those who struggle. Those with much. Those without.

May we see all people as created by God, as loved by God.

edited from a previous post