I am a woman Β
I am not a sex object
I am not an afterthought
I am not a toy
I am a woman
I am strong
I am intelligent
I am more than capable
I am a woman
I bear the image of the Creator
I reflect God’s strength, dignity, and compassion
When the Bible teaches “with God all things are possible,β
It applies to me
I am a woman
You can tell me that I am not valuable, beautiful, or ideal
You can say that I will not or should not succeed
You can tell me what characteristics I should or should not possess
But my worth is not found in what you think of me
I am a woman
The world tells me what I should look like,
how I should dress, and what I should eat
Some in the Church tell me what I should want,
how I should serve,
and what I should or should not say
Β I am a woman
My spiritual heritage is founded on a Savior
who ushered in an upside down kingdom
Christβs resurrection is not limited to your redemption;
It covers mine as well
I am a woman
I come from a line of godly women who led the army of Israel to victory,
saved Godβs people from genocide,
defied convention to sit at Christβs feet,
and birthed the SaviorΒ of the world
I am a woman
Throughout history I have explored new worlds,
freed slaves, and inspired nations
You may say that I am weak, that I am subject,
and that I am acting out of my place
But your words fall short when faced with Godβs truth
I am a woman
Β I am called to make disciples,
to preach the good news of the resurrection,
and to have dominion over the earth;
God did not give me a spirit of timidity,
but of power, of love, and of a sound mind
I am a woman
I am Godβs woman, and I will remain faithful to the end
33 Comments
I am a woman
I come from a line of godly women who led the army of Israel to victory,
saved Godβs people from genocide, defied convention to sit at Christβs feet,
and birthed the Savior of the world
I love this line. It reminded me of what you or one of the women on the panel for Women in Ministry at the WHC Pastors Day at APU said. The discussion was about women serving the Eucharist. “Mary carried Jesus for nine months and gave birth to him. Shouldn’t a woman be able to carry and serve the sacraments (his body and blood) if a woman was the one who was entrusted to carry him in the first place?”
Beautiful writing Kate. Thank you!
Oh, and Happy 6 month Anniversary!
Thanks Melanie π I love that you remember that from the panel. It’s always a great line when people say they don’t want a woman serving communion π
This morning I’ve been reading about women evangelists from 1850-1950 who established institutions and ran them. They were elbowed out of denominations and earlier schools they had established by male leaders. They were more “fervent” more into conversion and dramatic works of God than the “progressive” leaders wished. These leaders also did not want “deaconesses” preaching because then they would be critical of men preaching. The men wanted the women to visit the sick and pastor the flock and care for children, not learn about theology. So the women leaders started new institutions and continued to preach and care for the sick and the poor. All this is mostly forgotten, except for the research of Priscilla Pope-Levison who wrote: BUILDING THE OLD TIME RELIGION, 2014 NYU PRESS.
Inspiring and encouraging. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
Beautiful Words! I am so thankful for the Junia Project and all that you do!
This is strong and faithfilled… I love it all, but particularly the lines
I come from a line of godly women who led the army of Israel to victory,
saved Godβs people from genocide, defied convention to sit at Christβs feet,
and birthed the Savior of the world
Really powerful and full of hope, strength, faith … and love… none of the previous characteristics jeopardise that love. Fantastic.
as usual…love
Oh stop π
Beautifully said, Kate. I love how Jesus befriended women…I believe women have a beautiful connection with Divinity. As our friendship strengthens with God, so does our identity.
Absolutely! Well said Heather!
Just spent a weekend at a retreat teaching women some of these important truths. So glad to find this! Looking forward to learning more about this site.
Welcome, Jill. Please let us know if you have any questions about the site.
Thank you so much Kate, as I faced a lot of opposition to my calling recently because I’m a woman pastor and many don,t accept it in my area, your poem was a real balm on my heart today, thank you so much for this! God bless you!
Pastor Nancy π
Nancy, nothing makes me happier than to hear that my poem helped to encourage a courageous woman! Thank you for your work in the Lord! It means more than you know.
I can say the same to you: Thank you for your work in the Lord! It means more than you know. π
π
Beautifully put, Kate. Thank you.
Thanks for reading π
Just beautiful! And inspiring.
I am very thankful that, for some reason, I have always known that I am truly loved and cherished by God, and that he sees me as completely equal with my brothers, and not as some second rate, subordinate, or potentially subversive creature.
I am a woman – a daughter of the Most High.
YES YOU ARE! Thanks Marg!
Great thoughts and statements. So many injustices are fostered by the idea that “people are things.” They are not. People are created in the image of God. What you wrote is spot on!
“I come from a line of godly women who led the army of Israel to victory,
saved Godβs people from genocide, defied convention to sit at Christβs feet,
and birthed the Savior of the world”
Yes! Love this. Women were so often the shrewdest and most courageous characters depicted throughout Scripture, it amazes me how often this is bypassed and entirely overlooked or perhaps ignored rather. I love this excerpt from your piece; I think it’s necessary to recognize women’s efforts weren’t just highlighted in roles of service and “the home” or as “wives & mothers” (which are all wonderful things of course), but as judges of nations, prophets & warriors! Looking at the book of Judges alone one can see Israel being delivered at the hand of a woman at least 3 distinct times, arguably more: Deborah, Jael, the woman who kills Abimelek. Women proved just as capable as any man, and often times are depicted as largely more courageous and faithful in their trust of Yhwh. Take the comical reprieve in chapter 13 where Samson’s mother proves to be the voice of calm & reason as her husband trembles in fear at the ascent of the angel of the Lord. But I’m certain I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. It’s just refreshing to hear it from someone else. We are not the weaker sex. We ARE the other sex. We are women. I for one, am proud of that fact.
You’re amazing Kate. So much respect for you. Keep it up!
Thanks Cayla π I am so glad you enjoyed it! I love hearing your insight!
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful poem. I am going to tuck it away in my heart and recall it when I need a little word of encouragement. It has taken me so long to learn that I have worth and value and am a co-heir in Christ, and an image bearer! This message is sadly missing from mainstream churches. Thank you.
Jessica, I am sorry that your journey has been hard. I know how that goes. You are right though; You DO have value and worth! You ARE a co-heir in Christ! You DO bear the image of the creator π AND you are always welcome at The Junia Project, whether you need encouragement or anything else. Thanks for stopping by!
Incredible truth! Praying for both men and women to read these words of truth and continue the dialogue of equality.
Thanks Allen π
Wow! Thank you, Kate. A lot of us old girls have been waiting and waiting for the time when patriarchal church leaders would see our daughters and granddaughters through the lens of the Truth you so eloquently and poetically wrote.
I am so glad you liked it! Thank you!