A couple of friends sent me this poem recently and it go me to thinking =) I will copy the poem below and then add my thoughts underneath.
One Flaw In Women
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally..
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.
Please pass this along to all your
women friends and relatives to remind them just
how amazing they are
Are you ready? Here are my thoughts.
A writer from some several thousand years ago wrote a similar tribute to women, and it was recorded in the book of Proverbs, chapter 31. For years, I have heard this passage alluded to by many preachers and teachers and, to be quite honest, I normally would feel resentment toward the author and would dismiss the content as being culturally irrelvant and unimportant to me.
I realize that many religious institutions will use such passages as a sort of instrument to try to "put women in their place", which naturally will instigate rebellion in a good many of us and rightly so. As I read the above poem though, I suddenly had this thought that, whether originally intended or not, perhaps we could read the passage in Proverbs 31 as more of a tribute than instruction. Perhaps the writer was simply listing a bunch of things he appreciated and valued in his own wife, and hoped his son would be so blessed as to find someone like he had; a warrior woman who knew her worth.
I think, that if we could read it from that perspective, perhaps we would feel more edified than humiliated. Perhaps we would feel seen and acknowledged, rather than demoralized. Perhaps we would realize that, even all those centuries ago, even when women were considered property, at times less valued than cattle, there were men who saw our true beauty and value and even wrote about it. Perhaps even then, Father sought us out and whispered to our hearts, "You have no idea how precious you are."
Janna
