Greetings!

Today, March 8, is celebrated as International Women’s Day. This is the day on which the world pauses, to acknowledge the gift of Woman...a blessing that ought never, to be taken for granted. Like our counterpart..Man, we are Co-Creators with God, of life in all its complex magnificence…albeit uniquely.

That wise African American philosopher and theologian of the 20th century, Howard Thurman, in his book Meditations Of The Heart had this to say…

“God is making room in my heart for compassion: the awareness that where my life begins is where your life begins; the awareness that the sensitiveness to your needs cannot be separated from the sensitiveness to my needs; the awareness that the joys of my heart are never mine alone – nor are my sorrows.”

Reading those words, my mind and heart take a swift turn, their spotlight resting upon my sister-friends. These are a band of beautiful, blessed, beloved women, with whom I have walked along and continue to engage life’s journey. They are women with whom I can be honest and from whom I expect and receive honesty, not always of the sugar coated variety, but where the sweetness is limited or even absent, it is conveyed in ways, emanating from way deep in the heart; ways that declare – ‘I See You – and that’s enough! These women are not perfect and thank God…they do not demand perfection from me!

I was raised in a home with loving parents and three [still] amazing brothers. Not having any sisters, I soon learned to embrace the blessing of sister-friends, many of whom came into my life long before that designation became popular, and continue to this day, to be cherished companions. Yes, my woman’s journey has been dotted en-route, with sister-friends…women who have laughed, bawled, been quiet with and understood the times when retreat…was the necessary step backwards, to allow for the giant leap of faith that would propel me in new or different directions. I have been able to not only celebrate personal victories or be gracious in defeat; I have learnt how quietly or at ear popping decibels, to shout the praise, while raising the cup of thankfulness, in recognition of their achievement; for theirs also, were mine. Joined as we are by the aorta of our common experiences, we pump into each other’s being, that which sustains life…the love, joy and encouragement that Holy Spirit continues to gift and enjoins us to share, with liberal abandon.

But mine has also been the great blessing of being wonderfully influenced by my beloved mother, grandmother and two aunts; all from a line of strong, selfless yet self-assured women. They demonstrated, in response to the vocation to life and living, a remarkable capacity for goodness and greatness! I learned from them, in similar yet different ways, the art and science of resilience…how to treat life’s challenges as opportunities for the God within me to arise, causing enemies of doubt, fear, distrust and low self-esteem…to scatter! I have not always been able to attain those lofty heights, but as the journey evolves, I continue to learn, accepting the fact that with each new day comes fresh opportunity, to walk the path of least resistance, knowing that with the wind of Holy Spirit at my back and whispers of Her constant urging, with that of the cloud of witnesses, there’s precious little that I will be unable to accomplish, in pursuing God’s glory.

So today, as I celebrate God’s gift in the creation of Woman, I give thanks for all those, living or departed, upon whose shoulders I stand and am able to look towards the horizon, to dreams yet unfulfilled, that with God and their companionship, are always possible!

Until next week, keep safe, well and remain in His grip.

Grace+