Written by Danica Hobbs-Reed
In the event that you have never heard of one of the most celebrated Bible stories ever, here is a brief synopsis of John 4:5-30:
One day a women went to the well to fetch water. While at the well she encountered Jesus, who then gave her the rundown of her past. She was so astonished by his knowledge of her existence, she ran back to tell the people of the city of her encounter.
You see this woman at the well had a past. She had skeletons in her closet. Her years of wandering from man to man and situation to situation contorted her spirit. Her utter existence depended only if someone else was given power over her that she would have given them first.
I believe if women today are transparent, we could agree that we have all had a first hand understanding of what the woman at the well was going through. From time to time, especially as women we have engaged ourselves in things we shouldn't, We have brought situations into our lives that in it, no positive outcome was possible. As women, we are blessed to be nurturers. However we often forget that our job as a woman is to decipher what can be nurtured and what can't , ultimately should be put out to pasture, be it destitute people or an insolvent situation.
So many times, women find themselves likened unto the woman at the well. Not in just the relationship aspect of her situation, but the emotional, social and spiritual aspects also. We find ourselves bound up in situations that are so far beyond our grasp, it may take a wake-up call to bring us back to reality.
Although the woman at the well went to get water, she ultimately came back with more than she ever needed. Soul satisfaction. Although we never knew how she ultimately turned out, Christians always believe that she had changed for the better. We assume she never married for a sixth time. We assume the husband she coveted, after her meeting with Jesus she had the strength to send him packing . We presuppose these things because if you have ever had a true encounter with Jesus, you know something has to change for the better.
I believe on any given day we have all been women at the well of life. We have thirsted for things that were not conducive to us becoming the women whom God desires us to be. However, is it not a comfort to know the thirst for a meaningful existence can be quenched with the true living water…………………..Jesus Christ!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
POLITICALLY INCORRECT
Written by Danica Hobbs-Reed
I believe we were all made to love as well as laugh. I love to laugh. One thing that makes me laugh especially at night is TV Land's weekend, evening programming. Still to this day, two of the funniest characters ever on television; Archie Bunker and George Jefferson are two of the most humorous personalities who ever graced television. They were so amusingly comical. What made them so comical was the fact they were at two different extremes. At times so unaware of anything else around them, they managed to rule their families in complete and total social ignorance. They each had an utter belief that their ideology was the ultimate philosophy of life for everyone else as well as themselves. Many times Lionel, (the son of George Jefferson) would go and grace Archie Bunker with his presence. They had a mutual friendship of respect and Archie really did like Lionel even though his prejudicial ideas stated otherwise. Lionel always had a way of handling Archie and making him look as foolish as he acted unknowing to Archie. One unforgettable time for instance, while Lionel was visiting Archie Bunker, Archie asked Lionel, “Hey let me ask you a question Lionel. How in the world did your father get all that money to buy all those cleaners?” Do you know how Lionel replied to Archie? It was classic. Do you really want to know? Well as much as I am really yearning to tell you………………………….I can’t. You see nowadays it is considered politically incorrect to state such. But for the record, it truly is hysterically side-splitting!!!!!
This is my point. Short and sweet!!! Since our society has turned so politically correct it has taken the fun out of everything! I have never been politically correct. As grandma used to say, “A little bit of common sense, goes along way.” If we live by that motto, then we know basic human decency and respect should be in our every thought and guide our daily decision-making. I have always had a problem with being politically correct. To me, this term states that you stand for nothing and fall for everything! Ultimately we have learned over the years that life is black or white. There is only right or wrong. No gray area. There is only left or right. No middle playing field.
I believe 1979 was such a different time than 2009, or at least it was much more amusing, anyway. Keeping these things in mind, I crave to tell you how Lionel Jefferson replied to Archie Bunker's question …………………………………but I still can’t! Sorry, unfortunately it’s 2009!
I believe we were all made to love as well as laugh. I love to laugh. One thing that makes me laugh especially at night is TV Land's weekend, evening programming. Still to this day, two of the funniest characters ever on television; Archie Bunker and George Jefferson are two of the most humorous personalities who ever graced television. They were so amusingly comical. What made them so comical was the fact they were at two different extremes. At times so unaware of anything else around them, they managed to rule their families in complete and total social ignorance. They each had an utter belief that their ideology was the ultimate philosophy of life for everyone else as well as themselves. Many times Lionel, (the son of George Jefferson) would go and grace Archie Bunker with his presence. They had a mutual friendship of respect and Archie really did like Lionel even though his prejudicial ideas stated otherwise. Lionel always had a way of handling Archie and making him look as foolish as he acted unknowing to Archie. One unforgettable time for instance, while Lionel was visiting Archie Bunker, Archie asked Lionel, “Hey let me ask you a question Lionel. How in the world did your father get all that money to buy all those cleaners?” Do you know how Lionel replied to Archie? It was classic. Do you really want to know? Well as much as I am really yearning to tell you………………………….I can’t. You see nowadays it is considered politically incorrect to state such. But for the record, it truly is hysterically side-splitting!!!!!
This is my point. Short and sweet!!! Since our society has turned so politically correct it has taken the fun out of everything! I have never been politically correct. As grandma used to say, “A little bit of common sense, goes along way.” If we live by that motto, then we know basic human decency and respect should be in our every thought and guide our daily decision-making. I have always had a problem with being politically correct. To me, this term states that you stand for nothing and fall for everything! Ultimately we have learned over the years that life is black or white. There is only right or wrong. No gray area. There is only left or right. No middle playing field.
I believe 1979 was such a different time than 2009, or at least it was much more amusing, anyway. Keeping these things in mind, I crave to tell you how Lionel Jefferson replied to Archie Bunker's question …………………………………but I still can’t! Sorry, unfortunately it’s 2009!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
"SUPERWOMAN VS. VIRTUOUS WOMAN"
Written by Danica Hobbs-Reed
If there is ever a role model who I so desperately attempt to pattern myself after, you can find her in Proverbs 31:10-31. She is celebrated as the “Virtuous Woman”. When you actually sit down and really engage yourself in this profound description of this strong woman you are in awe of her life achievements. When you consider all of the titles she wore: wife, mother, friend, entrepreneur, caregiver, community outreach, socialite and etc, it is hard to fathom a more prestigious and blessed women. The problem I have is that when I try to live up to every single expectation in these verses, from my experience, it becomes less prestigious and more vexing. This vexing experience is better known as the dreaded “Superwomen Syndrome”.
This week for example, my youngest son recently was hospitalized for two days. His diagnosis was pneumonia, strep and asthma. On the same day as his hospitalization, I was scheduled to take my husband to get an MRI. Due to my son’s illness I could not attend my husband’s MRI which caused a little discord. Then after staying in the hospital for two days with my son and finally discharged out I return home and the house is a complete disaster. Laundry is required to be cleaned. Washing of the dishes was a necessity. Floors needed scrubbed because there were gentlemen there fixing the plumbing( which I was scheduled to let them in). Not to mention I called off from work (which I seldom do) for two days because of my son’s illness. When I return to work my desk will be completely backed up. So then I say to myself, “Self, don’t worry you have the weekend.” Then I soon commit to memory that my weekend job requires my services on Saturday. Sunday, I will be in worship services most of the day. Although it is respected as the Sabbath Day, Sunday is my most busy day because I’m spending the majority of it getting ready for the upcoming week.
When I compare the week that I had to how the “Virtuous Women” would have possibly handled this same scenario, it would go something like this:
She would have left the hospital for a time to let the plumbers in and get her husband to his MRI appointment. She would take her husband home afterwards and clean up her house then went back to the hospital with her son. As far as work goes she would have never called off because after her son had been discharged, she would have tucked him in bed, got to work at 8pm in the evening and remained there until midnight. Everyone would be well taken care of.
Millions of women today are suffering from the effects of “Superwoman Syndrome”. Not only does this way of thinking come with a title, but with it also arrives a feeling of guilt and inadequacy. The guilt arises when something is left undone. The feeling of being inadequate comes into play when you assume that you have been unsuccessful as a women at trying to nurture and provide for your family.
We as women should keep this one thought in mind while going about life struggles everyday. Keeping things in perspective and “keeping first things first “should always be foremost in our consciousness of our daily life .
I recently came to the conclusion that what if I am not cut out to be everything that Proverbs 31:10-31 states. What if my capabilities are only half of what hers are? Maybe if I am a good wife and mother but my community outreach ability is not up to par am I to be held accountable. What if I am a good wife and mother but my entrepreneurship is fallen by the way? Maybe God gave us the “Virtuous Woman” as an outline as to how we should govern ourselves. Just maybe women should take this story of a perfect women of God figuratively and not literally.
I have learned that when we are just depending on our own capability alone to be the best woman, wife or mother that we can be than we just simply become “Superwoman”. However, when we depend on God and ask him to make us the best woman we can be and guide the gifts and talents and potential He wants us to have, it is this aspect that helps us become that well rounded “Virtuous Woman”.
Not ever depending on our own strength or our own abilities is a sure sign that we are placing “Superwoman Syndrome” in the distant past and bringing out our glorious “Virtuous Women” characteristics toward the forefront to enhance our daily lives and even those around us.
If there is ever a role model who I so desperately attempt to pattern myself after, you can find her in Proverbs 31:10-31. She is celebrated as the “Virtuous Woman”. When you actually sit down and really engage yourself in this profound description of this strong woman you are in awe of her life achievements. When you consider all of the titles she wore: wife, mother, friend, entrepreneur, caregiver, community outreach, socialite and etc, it is hard to fathom a more prestigious and blessed women. The problem I have is that when I try to live up to every single expectation in these verses, from my experience, it becomes less prestigious and more vexing. This vexing experience is better known as the dreaded “Superwomen Syndrome”.
This week for example, my youngest son recently was hospitalized for two days. His diagnosis was pneumonia, strep and asthma. On the same day as his hospitalization, I was scheduled to take my husband to get an MRI. Due to my son’s illness I could not attend my husband’s MRI which caused a little discord. Then after staying in the hospital for two days with my son and finally discharged out I return home and the house is a complete disaster. Laundry is required to be cleaned. Washing of the dishes was a necessity. Floors needed scrubbed because there were gentlemen there fixing the plumbing( which I was scheduled to let them in). Not to mention I called off from work (which I seldom do) for two days because of my son’s illness. When I return to work my desk will be completely backed up. So then I say to myself, “Self, don’t worry you have the weekend.” Then I soon commit to memory that my weekend job requires my services on Saturday. Sunday, I will be in worship services most of the day. Although it is respected as the Sabbath Day, Sunday is my most busy day because I’m spending the majority of it getting ready for the upcoming week.
When I compare the week that I had to how the “Virtuous Women” would have possibly handled this same scenario, it would go something like this:
She would have left the hospital for a time to let the plumbers in and get her husband to his MRI appointment. She would take her husband home afterwards and clean up her house then went back to the hospital with her son. As far as work goes she would have never called off because after her son had been discharged, she would have tucked him in bed, got to work at 8pm in the evening and remained there until midnight. Everyone would be well taken care of.
Millions of women today are suffering from the effects of “Superwoman Syndrome”. Not only does this way of thinking come with a title, but with it also arrives a feeling of guilt and inadequacy. The guilt arises when something is left undone. The feeling of being inadequate comes into play when you assume that you have been unsuccessful as a women at trying to nurture and provide for your family.
We as women should keep this one thought in mind while going about life struggles everyday. Keeping things in perspective and “keeping first things first “should always be foremost in our consciousness of our daily life .
I recently came to the conclusion that what if I am not cut out to be everything that Proverbs 31:10-31 states. What if my capabilities are only half of what hers are? Maybe if I am a good wife and mother but my community outreach ability is not up to par am I to be held accountable. What if I am a good wife and mother but my entrepreneurship is fallen by the way? Maybe God gave us the “Virtuous Woman” as an outline as to how we should govern ourselves. Just maybe women should take this story of a perfect women of God figuratively and not literally.
I have learned that when we are just depending on our own capability alone to be the best woman, wife or mother that we can be than we just simply become “Superwoman”. However, when we depend on God and ask him to make us the best woman we can be and guide the gifts and talents and potential He wants us to have, it is this aspect that helps us become that well rounded “Virtuous Woman”.
Not ever depending on our own strength or our own abilities is a sure sign that we are placing “Superwoman Syndrome” in the distant past and bringing out our glorious “Virtuous Women” characteristics toward the forefront to enhance our daily lives and even those around us.
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