It could be Hilary.
Regardless, last night when RUF at Winthrop celebrated our graduating seniors, I couldn't help but think about feminism, which honestly is kind of annoying. Let me explain.
I sat looking around the room at a group of truly beautiful women, all dressed up, glowing really. They were smiling and chatting, taking pictures together, giving hugs and making sad faces about leaving each other, but also possessing an inward assurance that it was time to move on. As hard as leaving is, they are ready for what is next. They're prepared.
And though their talk included the standard "I don't know what I'm going to do when I graduate" line, the tone didn't carry anxiety as much as anticipation. (Though some anxiety for sure.)
During the speeches, where we all get to say the wonderful and embarrassing contributions each has made to the ministry, I was overcome for a moment by the incredible femininity that was represented in our group.
Seeing them together, collected as a set, I was amazed by how perfectly this group represents everything good that's come from the feminist movement. The parts of the dialogue that ultimately reflect Scripture and the ways in which the Lord, our creator, sees his beloved daughters.
These women are smart and strong and beautiful. They are quiet and calm, they are energetic and powerful. They can command a room, gather a crowd, welcome outsiders in large ways. They are slow to speak, but quick to listen. They are faithful, loving friends. They desire to know the Lord in sweeter ways, to study his Word, and they are blown away by the truth they find. They tell their stories to each other, weep together, and pray. They create art that so perfectly captures the complexity of life that it makes you cry. They are funny, in sophisticated and playful ways. They care deeply for children and for education, and they are good at what they do. They're humble and willing and open. They are not afraid.
And they are all so different from each other.
As I sat and thought about the ways I've grown from knowing each of our seniors, I was struck that the important thoughts I had about one student were different than the ones I had concerning another. I loved each for the person she is and the gifts she brought to our group.
I didn't expect the introvert, kind soul to stand up front and pray for the masses. I wasn't sad that our natural gatherer wasn't moving sound equipment for the music team. I was grateful for their differences and within the microcosm of our little ministry, I could see so clearly why they were all essential.
I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the various manifestations of the Lord's grace in these women, and I was so excited to envision the ways they would love and serve him throughout the course of their lives in the church.
And it made me think of my sweet friends, ten years ahead of this group, with our thoughts of perfectionism and our anxiety about doing everything as well as everyone else.
And I just thought, y'all, we need to relax. I need to relax.
We're not called to all be the same. We're called to bring what we have and to gratefully offer it up to the Lord for his use. And to rest in his goodness.
And to be grateful, because we are loved.
Lesson Learned: "As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." - Luke 21:1-4
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