Powerful to Me

While talking with a friend this week I was asked about the role of women in my church. She expressed concern for me because those roles were different and to her at first it seemed that women weren't given power. She asked if our only power was to be a wife and mother. I thought to myself and maybe should have better expressed to her how that power has helped me. I have seen the power of nurturing, teaching, and mothering in many women in my life both in my church and out; women who are powerful to me.

Powerful to me was the Sunday school teacher who through a silly trust exercise taught me to trust God.

Powerful to me is my neighbor who hugged me and told me she believed in me.

Powerful to me is my once grade school friend raising her son and being an example to me.

Powerful to me was the Seminary teacher who came prepared and taught us that rewards and blessings come from being good.

Powerful to me was the soccer coach teaching me to set goals on a "road to success."

Powerful to me was the young women leaders who came and cheered me on at my games

Powerful to me was the mission companion who faithfully promised blessings and diligently prayed to see miracles.

Powerful to me is a sister who is the bravest, most confident person I know.

And most powerful to me is a mother who gives her all to her children, mother and mother-in-law (and to my Dad too I guess). Powerful to me are her prayers, her advice, her endless patience, and her understanding.

Thank Heaven for powerful women.