Hebrews 11 and Women's History Month

As I have mentioned in other posts, March is Women’s History Month. It is hard for me to keep up with the themes that are attached to every month here in America, but I do try to at least tap in. I attempt to use the different months to gently guide the content that I consume, what I highlight, etc. The rich tapestry of human life and experiences draws me in ever deeper.

a run in the sun

I was on a run recently, and as the sun warmed me, I began to think of Hebrews 11. (People who know me well, know that the book of Hebrews stays on heavy rotation in my reading schedule.)

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.

3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:1-3

This passage has been lovingly named the Hall of Faith by many preachers. A roll call highlighting important figures of the faith are listed seemingly as points of encouragement for the heart tempted to draw back in discouragement and fear. As I pondered this passage on my run, I thought about the women not named here. I wondered about Hagar and about Bathsheba. How their stories are regularly reduced to sound bites. I wondered about all of the women beyond the Bible who have contributed to the life of the Church. I think about women in our current day society who have impacted the ways that we think and live. I think about the scientists. I think about the preachers. I think about the abolitionists. I think of the writers. I think of Sojourner Truth.

And, I think of the women who are considered by some as just…ordinary. Those we walk by every single day and they are just trying to make it. These women will never stand on a stage but they are special. Worthy. Their lives cannot be measured with metrics from the outside. Women’s History Month has found me leaning into the stories of women. The writings of women. Thinking of the women who uphold my life in love in a thousand ways. I cry as I think of the roll call I could put here of the impact. I think of the women who took me from being a shy, afraid boy, and helped me to stand up strong. Maybe one way we can honor Women’s History Month is not waiting for a woman to be remarkable before we consider them worthy of honoring. Maybe noteworthy can take on a new meaning as we uplift and listen. As we humble ourselves.

Audre Lorde, Delores Williams, Angela Bassett, Lucille Clifton, Ella Fitzgerald

To Lucille Clifton

Toni Morrison

Audre Lorde

Delores Williams

Ella Fitzgerald

Angela Bassett

My 8th grade Reading teacher who first called out my greatness…but has died now.

And a thousand women who have loved me and whom I adore…thank you.