Empowering Women and more...

I wonder how much Mary felt like celebrating as she struggled down the road toward Bethlehem with her labor pains beginning. Maybe the contractions were getting stronger as each innkeeper refused them a place to stay. Perhaps she was totally exhausted and feeling hopelessly trapped as she entered a stable to deliver her baby, Jesus.

I doubt that the birth of Jesus was the experience Mary had hoped it would be.

Now 2000 years later the plight of many women and new babies around the world is little different than what Mary experienced. Perhaps it is worse. Sharia law of some Muslims leaves nearly one billion women vulnerable to beatings, shame, and death. Many world religions and tribal societies place women in positions that are nearly as bad. So where is the hope and joy the angel promised to the shepherds the night of Jesus’ birth? Where is the peace on earth and the good favor of God in their lives?

The problem is that many women have no confidence of being truly valued by God or anyone else. In many places around the world, missions are trying to do things to help women and children. Sometimes doing things for women confirms their suspicion that they could not have done these things for themselves. The result is further worsening of the way women see themselves. They may begin to feel the way Mary might have felt in labor – things are bad and will probably get worse.
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