Yes, yes – I know – the word ‘unite’ is misspelled. ‘Untie’ – ‘unite’ — but does it really matter? Does it matter if we say 2 + 2 = 9, or that a dog is really a bird? Pretty crazy stuff, but I think we’d better get our “truth” act together or the mess we’re allowing to creep into our families and through our communities will only get worse!
Just this week, several parents showed up wearing pink armbands as symbols of support for girls-only sports as their daughters played in a soccer game. You would have thought a tornado warning had gone into effect. Officials sprang into action.
They stopped the game, demanded the parents remove their pink armbands, and issued police-enforced “No Trespassing” orders against the parents.
We have seen a man declared one of USA Today’s “Women of the Year” – a woman in the highest court in our land can’t define what a woman is and men are still knocking it out of the ballpark in ‘girls only’ sporting events. In this woman’s humble opinion, women had better unite around truth if things are ever going to get back on track – we are not obligated to participate in other peoples fantasies!
In 1971, Hellen Reddy came out with the hit song, “I am Woman.” It was heard during the closing credits for the 1972 film Stand Up and Be Counted. “I Am Woman” is about female empowerment; Reddy said she wanted to write a song to inspire women. It did. Helen Reddy died in 2020, but I have to wonder where she would have stood on our current ‘woman’ controversy?!
Here’s a selection from part of her famous song: I am woman hear me roar, in numbers too big to ignore, and I know too much to go back an’ pretend.” Pretend? Humm! I also have to wonder if those words would even be allowed on some social media outlets today, knowing of the sensitivity of our ‘woke’ crowd and their hurry to censure anything and everything they don’t approve of.
Thankfully, there are many amazing, strong women working behind the scenes these days bringing truth, family structure, and Godly values to our lives. There’s a gal I know personally who was married fairly young at 20 to a great Christian man. They had known each other since they were children. They had a beautiful wedding, attended by almost everyone in their church family, but within just five months tragedy struck. Due to complications from a rare type of cancer, her husband passed away.
Of course, she was devastated as her life was turned upside down. She lost her home, declared bankruptcy and moved back in with her parents. It was rough going, but she eventually got back on her feet, moved into her own place again, and rebuilt her life. Five years later, this young lady remarried and eventually had two beautiful daughters.
One day, a position opened up for her at a local Christian school – they needed a new principal and she jumped at the chance to not only enroll her daughters but also build up a local school with Godly values and truth. And she did exactly that. The school has grown with integrity and values that parents stand behind and support. It’s an amazing story, actually of a successful, confident, and courageous young woman.
So – how do I how this lady? Well – actually, this is my youngest daughter Susanne. She is a no-nonsense gal who I would nominate in a heartbeat for a real Woman of the Year. But, then again, I’m her mom!
If we want to turn things around, I think it’s time we step up and start celebrating every woman we know of who is doing their best to bring incontestable truth to our local communities – because that’s where change has to start – at the local level.
Mother’s Day is in a few weeks – take time to personally thank a good mom, or a great school teacher, or a mom-neighbor – it’s an uphill battle these days, but it’s not impossible.
Sheryl Sandberg has said: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.” She is wrong! Let’s go with what Margaret Thatcher said instead: “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.’ As someone toasted – “Here’s to strong women; may we know them. May we be them. May we raise them!”
I’m personally in line with this super-cool quote: “As for my girls, I’ll raise them to think they breathe fire!”
Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you may contact them at DPCitychurch.org
