One Woman's Journey

After sharing the following with other women at seminary this week, I realized I could have entitled this blog "Our Journey." To my children who may read this blog, I do not regret one year of staying home raising you....it was a privilege and a joy, I have heaps of good memories, thank you....yes, there were trials, and that is life.

I am a woman, child of the sixties
Created in the image of God,
And yet for years held back
Held back by cultural expectations...
Women don't need a post secondary eduction
Stay home, have children, clean your house
Barefoot, pregnant, in the kitchen---don't you know that will be your place?!
And yet--I dream

I am a woman, of age in the seventies
Created to reflect the image of God
Denied opportunites by gender
By gender oppressed
Women don't enroll in a B.Th. program
Take the B.R.E. instead
You don't need Greek or Hebrew or Homiletics--don't you know your place?!
And yet--God gives me a youth ministry

I am a woman, a mother in the eighties
Created to express the image of God
Locked in a box of ecclesiastical patriarchy
Trying to lift the lid
Women don't belong on church boards
Be on the women's executive instead
Sing us a song, play the piano, but don't you try to preach!!!
Even so, secretly "Yentl" inspires me!

A double standard exists--can you see it?
If I was a missionary in Africa, you would expect me to preach!!!
Helen Roseveare inspires me

I am a woman, maturing in the nineties
Growing in the image of God
Gender issues still patronize me
How long will I be bound?
Why do you still want to study?
Give it up, go earn some money
Be a good helper to your husband, support him in his career
And yet--crisis pregnancy ministry captures me!

I am a woman, now in a new century
Rejoicing in the image of God
Gender issues---a classroom discussion
We all have a lot to learn
Seminary, yes, I AM HERE, not an M.Div, but an M.A.
One degree behind and another one in process
My husband supports and encourages me!