Women, How Do You See Yourself? Jim Harnage

[Jim Harnage]

To my sisters in the Lord...
There comes a time in every woman's life when she has to take a close look at herself. Not at her circumstance, not at what she did, and not how unfair life is.

Women must look at themselves in the glory in which God created them. Women must look at their imperfections and acknowledge their humanity and flesh but they also must view themselves through the sacred mirror of impartiality and holiness that God views them through.

It is while gazing and meditating upon the true beauty of God in them that women will find faith and energy to fulfil God's purposes and destinies.

Be careful of what you are convinced of yourself. Caution yourself as to whose eyes you look through or see yourself through. Push ahead.

Have you ever admired a woman who has been through changes in her life? Or have you made up in your mind that she is just messed up. Before you make this mistake, take a closer look.

A woman who has endured the most unusual life is someone of wisdom, someone who has been chosen by God to go through things that have made her stronger.

Think of all the great women in the Bible: Mary Magdalene who was tormented by a past. Ruth and Naomi both spouses of weak-willed and weak-minded men. And the nameless woman (Mark 5) with a sickness that required her by the old law to cry "Unclean!" and separated her from doing business as usual or making friends. Have you ever felt like you have no name? no identification? Lost? No purpose? Does your sickness or trial make you fell ostracized and separated from society. Make you feel like you are a laughing stock. Makes it difficult for you to live as others would normally live?

Mary was a prostitute, a very uneasy woman. But by the time Jesus was done with her, she was His closest follower.

Esther was unfortunate in marrying an abusive man, but by the time God was done with her, she had married one of the wealthiest men in the land. Before we wonder, ' What's up with her?' ask yourself, 'What's up with me?'

That woman could be my mother, sister, aunt, in-law, stepmother, niece, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, friend, or co-worker, etc. That woman could be ME.

Women were ordained, anointed, and blessed to be carriers of life. God never intended woen to be channels of abuse and vessels through which to convey death.

Let's build and encourage each other, as did Ruth and Naomi . Pass this to all the women in your life. Encourage and love, forgive and forget, and trust that the woman that receives this will be touched in some way. May the peace and love of Christ be upon you!

[Sara/Peace4 Co-Founder]

Jim, you have such a most cherished way of making this world seem safer and God closer...I so value your voice, thank you for sharing this! xoxoxoxooxo

[John Quinn]

Jim..What a wonderful piece you wrote !! You are right..many women do have to look but inside themselves to see the wonder of GOD'S lite within them.They have to realise they are a spark of GOD,so they too must be great,if in no others than GOD'S eyes...john

[Jim Harnage]

Thank you Sara. Sara, i am also happy to see you have changed your photo to a full face. We often wondered what was hidden behind the partial photo that once was posted on Peace4. Now we know that there was a vibrant and shining work of God's human art. May you be blessed.

John, you and I think so alike as males. You are a double credit to the gender. May you be blessed.

Love;

Jim and Carolyn

[Sara/Peace4 Co-Founder]

It's so true!!!

John and Jim, our Peace4 Knights of Shining Armor... ;)
xoxoxo

[judy]

keep up the good work what would we do without you,

[GWENNIE J]

I have often thought the same thing. Mom is god on the lips of children. Why would god want a woman to suffer, but then why would a woman want to suffer. Why would you want to do anything to hurt someone going through life with the gift of giving birth to another life. One must have given birth to all of us.

[karen rae elkins]

Thank you Jim. That was beautifully spoken

[Maureen]

"A woman who has endured the most unusual life is someone of wisdom, someone who has been chosen by God to go through things that have made her stronger."

So true! .... thanks Jim!

[Amy Matthews]

Thank you Jim for posting. So well said. It took me 47 yeas to learn to like myself. And it took yet another 7 years to know who I am. I am happy being me. I have no regrets for the bad things that have happened to me in the past because I would not be who I am today if not for my past. I hope that it doesn't take so long for others to learn who they are and their true worth.

God bless you Jim for all you do. And thank you for being you!

[Sara/Peace4 Co-Founder]

Thank You for sharing that, Amy...regardless of the time it took, you are such a beautiful example of hope for the future...of overcoming the constant pain.

I certainly isn't always "easy" to like yourself when someone else is constantly driven to prove what a piece of shit you are...I sometimes wonder if this divorce of mine might ever actually happen...what if it doesn't? What if this is to be my forever hellish life? And if I could only figure out what is it that I did...that makes him hate me so...I can't wait for compassion, my Dad died amidst all this...my whole heart broke...and the sickest thing is...seeing how much joy this brings him...how determined he is to even use this against me...

And still...and stupidly still...I still forget...I still hope for and try to see and find a human there within him...and still I forget that this is "war" and I don't fight back and I don't supply my side with weapons...b/c still...I just can't imagine, you know?

And still I ponder...why does he hate me so?