Women

You may assume you know where I’m going with this very special word, but I may disappoint you.  Over the years when my husband and I were in business, I was responsible for all the sales and marketing in our firm.  I attended many seminars and networking meetings, which were essential in establishing relationships and growing our business.  Quite a few times, I was invited to “women only” groups – you know, women doing business with other women.  I always shied away from that, because it didn’t matter to me whether our clients were men or women.  If they owned a small business and needed our help, why should I cut out 50% of my audience?  One such “exclusive” group that I did attend, there was one member that loved the fact she would be doing business with our firm because we were women-owned.  I quickly explained that I was only part of the ownership and would not be the one responsible for working directly with her.  I explained that I had very competent people, both male and female, that would take good care of her.  Thankfully, we ALL won her over and did business for many years.  I find the culture today an exact opposite of what Jesus would have wanted and what God intended when he created both men and women in His image.  There is good and “needs to be improved” in each one of us, regardless of our gender.   We both have strengths and weaknesses, one no better than the other.   Do you really think God would have a favorite? We cannot live (and I don’t want to) without our counterparts; and they cannot live without us!  So, let’s get back to basics – the beginning when God created both man and woman – Adam and Eve.   As a woman that’s been married for almost 49 years, I know both of us, as equal partners, know those strengths and weaknesses.   I am also thankful that God created you and me with our differences, which brings out the best in both of us (and sometimes allows the worst).  I would urge us this week to focus our prayers on all the women and men in our lives, recognizing their strengths, especially those closest to us.  In His eyes, we are all children of God; and believing any less is an insult to what He created and intended.  We are all one in Jesus Christ.  There is no discrimination there!

“Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 11:11