Illusions of Womanhood

Hallo Wonderbeau Everyone! I hope it’s well with your soul?

So I am trying to pick off my musings one by one, not because I have more time, but because I am giving up something (my personal care, at the moment) to write. But currently, I will rather write than brush my teeth. Hopefully, that doesn’t become a habit. 😬 😅

I just read another chapter of a novel from from Notes to Women, an author on this platform, gripping stories she writes, I tell you. I stop over at her “place” on this WordPress “Avenue” to read her latest novel updates, before coming “home” to muse.

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Moving On

“I’m leaving Brad”, NiAnn said with quiet conviction.

“Praise the Lord”, Ximena declared looking like the true follower of Christ she was, howbeit a little dramatic.

Zoe rolled her eyes. “Come on Ximena. Like seriously?” 

“What”, Ximena asked the glaring NiAnn with wide eyed innocence. “Isn’t it good to praise the Lord?” 

NiAnn huffed and looked away.

“Well yes, it’s good to praise the Lord”, Zoe replied with a look on face that says I can’t believe I’m having this ridiculous argument with you. “But now isn’t the time to say it out loud!” 

Ximena was relishing her cup of herbal tea, as she peered at her fav peers with muted mischief in her sparkling cinnamon eyes. This was an answer to prayer. And she had praised God for granting her request of detoxifying her friend’s life of toxic people. And Brad was one of them. She most certainly wouldn’t mourn about it. 

She swallowed her witty comeback with her tea, so NiAnn can spill the tea on what happened. 

“So. What happened?” Zoe asked

“Freda is pregnant and Brad’s the father.” NiAnn rubbed her elbow like she normally did when she was upset.

Zoe gasped, “What? Again?”

Ximena merely raised her brows, as she kept sipping her tea. How extraordinary, she thought sarcastically. 

“I thought he promised you he was done with her?” Zoe queried.

“He changed his mind again.” NiAnn looked sad but with a new strength that says she would be okay.

Praise God. Ximena thought, as she kept observing her friend.

“I was beginning to feel like the interloper. He may have divorced Freda on paper, but I wish it didn’t take me this long to realize, he’s still married to her in his heart.”

“I’m so sorry, NiA”, a concerned Zoe tried to console her.

“That or he’s just doesn’t want to fully committ to anyone. Be it Freda, me or anyone.” NiAnn continued in quiet contemplation. 

“You were right, Ximena. I was his, but he was never mine.” 

Ximena softened, “Hey. You know I love you too much to want to be right about something like this. You just need to learn to stay away from complicated people and trying to rescue them.” 

“Perhaps you should pursue a career as a Fire Fighter. I hear the men there are hot.” Zoe winked

They laughed.

“Speaking of careers. My e-commerce website has picked up speed. I closed five very profitable deals last night!” NiAnn bounced in her seat with barely concealed excitement, a huge smile on her face and a sparkle in her hazel eyes.

“Praise the Lord!“, Zoe declared in happiness for her friend’s success.

“Hallelujah!” The girls chorused

Three cups click in the air in celebration as the three friends laughed. The laughter of reassurance that where life is, hope abides. 

https://puttingmyfeetinthedirt.com/2020/08/01/august-writing-prompts-3/ #21. I was his, but he was never mine.

Are we Humane Beings?

I was on youtube watching “Conversations with America”. Bishop T.D. Jakes was the host featuring a group of senior police officers, retired police officers and a psychologist who works with the army on mental health.

The topic was Police Brutality. And the Bishop was asking a lot of questions to understand why it happens and what causes it.

One of the officers said they are not always taught to be human, but to just get the job done.

And the psychologist said, “If you need to be taught to be human, you shouldn’t be hired at all.”

Someone in the comment section highlighted that statement and this response just hit me. I just kept writing. Here it is:

Unfortunately, we all have to “become” human beings. Remember the story of the “Good Samaritan”? All those who ought to know better walked past the wounded man. How many times have we as individuals “walked past”?

There are people who wouldn’t have joined the protest if they still had to go to work or identify with some “fraternity”. But priorities have narrowed down to food, shelter, health and security. Fear of “it could have been me” got many to rush out realising what they have probably been ignoring or not paying adequate attention to and not taking practical steps, toward a society of equity.

That’s why being born again prevails over just being okay, with being a “good person”. 

It takes courage and a certain level of God’s anointing to do the right thing, ALWAYS. Especially, when it’s “dangerous”, inconvenient, or when we’re at risk of losing something of value.

Becoming humane is a journey we all need to take with love for the service of God and humanity.

What do you think?

Courage!

I once…no, twice wrote, about courage. I mentioned that courage in some aspects may not, and usually does not translate to courage in all aspects.

I know how that feels. I have never in public spoken against any injustice that has translated to violence from the unjust. I suppose that’s what they are doing: Psychological warfare. If they can use a few as an example of how cruel and brutal they are, then people will shut up out of fear of being next.

Unfortunately, there will always be a next, as long as people are too trapped in fear to speak against injustices, violence, assaults, and all that is attached to it.

I say:

By the authority God has given me in Christ;

I am against any kind of assault on women and children.

I am against lack of equity for all.

I am against racism — wherever it may come from.

I am against rape. Be it sexual, economical, or cultural.

I stand with truth, justice, equity, fairness, respect, morality, and security for all.

“God is my refuge and strength… therefore will I not fear…” Psalm 46

Let righteousness reign in every part of the world, in Jesus Christ name. Amen!

https://wp.me/p1mHRD-cNi

Men Why?

It’s so sad and disappointing when men refuse to lead. I said “men” because unfortunately every race faces the same men-not-holding-up-the-women, in different forms.

That’s why we have feminism gone dangerous, because women are built to be protected. It’s makes us stronger to also defend where necessary.

Men know that women’s defence is feared and respected. We are instinctively mothers, and you don’t mess with a woman’s sons. 

But we need men to instinctively be our fathers as we have shown them motherly love.

Yet here we are, emotionally bankrupt and mentally/spiritually exhausted, because we keep giving but not receiving.

What makes it worse is the women against women problem that we have.

Men aren’t supporting women, women aren’t supporting women (enough), leaving us with a major crisis.

Women seem to find it easier to support men than women. Ironic isn’t it?

Take Mo’Nique for instance. If a black man went through the same thing as her, he would have massive support — from women, no questions asked.

But with Mo’Nique? Oh no. We needed to examine her character, her worth, her motive BEFORE we can support her.

Women will analyse one another to death. 

Why do we think men are more worthy of our unconditional support, but women must be of a certain behaviour and status for her to get her own gender’s attention?

If you don’t get anything from what I have written so far, get this: *Give to your gender the unconditional support and grace/mercy you give men*.

Let’s stop hating ourselves. If you love yourself as a woman, you will be nurturing and gracious towards other women.

God is Love. Seek God first and all your needs will be met accordingly. 

Shalom.🎶🌴

Interdependence

There’s an African proverb that says, “A lone 🌲 tree cannot make a forest.”

This talks about a unity of purpose, to make things happen.

It’s often said, that no one is an island. We are not created to stand alone in everything. We’re made to collaborate, to form relationships.

Life is about collaboration. You can buy, only because someone is selling. You have shelter because someone was willing to build. You have a business because someone needs your services and is willing to patronise you. You have a job because someone needs your skills and is willing to hire you. You need others and others need you as well. It is co-dependence and inter-dependence. No one can truly do anything, all by themselves. We’re not just built that way.

Life is meant to be shared, and there’s love in sharing.

Does that mean we should hitch our wagon to just anyone’s?

No, of course not.

But we should not make the mistake of going the high road of not needing anybody. We can choose who to associate with. We simply have to choose wisely. We need to choose people who can help us grow and who we can help grow. That’s how a forest works.

Choosing the wrong company or choosing to remain in wrong company is like, trying to grow under a huge tree. The huge tree might seem like a shield from the harsh realities of life, but in the real sense, its preventing the trees under it from getting adequate nutrition directly from the elements, for proper growth. Neither will they have deep roots, because the roots of the huge tree will not only absorb most of the earth’s nutrients, but it will not give space for any tree under it or it’s immediate environs to take root.

Have you ever seen a tree growing under a huge tree, become as big as that tree? Trees growing under huge trees are limited to living in the shadows of the huge tree.

There’s a time to “get thee out from among them”, so that you can grow to your highest potential. But you still need thr right people to make that happen.

However, don’t let the absence of help or assistance stop you from venturing out on your own. It only takes one step of faith at a time. It is well.

Shalom. 🌎

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/forest/