I Love to Be a Lady!

I so rarely stop and reflect on my femininity. Often, I am disgusted with my gender, or irked, or embarrassed. I sort of try to slink back in the shadows and stay away from controversial gender-laced discussions. If I think about it (and one cannot be too careful not to think about oneself too much) I don't think I am a "girly-girl" or a "tomboy", but rather I try to be neither, just to be. It does no good and brings the Father no glory to contemplate "I'm the kind of person that -- ", so I try to steer clear of those discussions, knowing my own inclination to drift into pride (the Valley of Vision says "O God, it is amazing that men can talk so much about man's creaturely power and goodness, when, if Thou didst not hold us back every moment, we should be devils incarnate. This, by bitter experience, Thou hast taught me concerning myself.").

However, I think I miss out on "glorying in weakness" in the manner the Lord would have me do if I do not enjoy the fact that I am a woman! Two evenings spent this week have taught me to just to do just that! On Monday, I got off work early enough to go to the "Dedicated Divas" class in the rec center. I was a little hesitant, because I was afraid of two extremes: super fit women making me feel like a idiot or a piece of cake workout that would make me wish I had gone running. I was pleasantly wrong on both accounts. It was a splendid little class with soft music playing when I walked in (I was sort of worn out from work, so it was soothing) and some just regular girls in shorts and t-shirts like me. Our darling little instructor was such a great combination of cool/sweet/gentle that it put everyone at ease as we did some cardio and pilates. The 45 minute class flew by and I was feeling all stretched and peaceful when the instructor asked for prayer requests and led us all in prayer. WOW! I have never been in a fitness class where they pray together! It was such a blessing. I was so glad, as I left my class, chatting with the other fun girls around me, that I was not one of the sweaty guys in the weight room! :)

Then this afternoon, I had over a couple of girls just to fellowship and talk and eat and watch a movie ("Ever After" -- okay, I know SO girly!). At one point, when we all were mentioning what Elisabeth Elliot books had changed our lives, I couldn't believe my own happiness! I have had so many blissful times with precious girls in my life from the past and present, and I was reflecting on what a good gift they are to me from my heavenly Father. As C.S. Lewis says in The Four Loves "For the Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret Master of ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you' can truly say to every group of Christian friends, 'You have not chosen one another, but I have chosen you for one another!' The friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others." Is that not true?

So, thank you, Lord, for making me one of the fairer sex. Thank you for opening my eyes to the blessings you give me merely in letting me be woman!