A Woman’s Place

A Woman’s Place by Katelyn Beaty brought many things to my heart and soul concerning women in the church and society. The role of being a woman has been something that I have been wrestling with since I was a teenager. I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. Although, we have many rights and such, the role of being a woman has centered on bearing children and finding prince charming. I knew at a young age that I was not to become a mother or to be a wife. I always felt looked down on and felt treated as though I am not a woman because I chose not to be a mother or a wife.  I felt God calling me to something different. I’m still defining and finding what God has called me to do. That being said, here are some key points that I appreciated while reading Beaty’s book.

• From the beginning of time women have contributed towards the global economy. Women are key to supporting their families and sustaining the financial growth of their family. And even the church is having some changes when it comes to women evangelizing and leading non-profits. I have seen this myself with Joyce Meyer, Christine Caine, and Paula White. I’ve also seen some great women doing things to support the community.
• Shalom means peace, not absence of conflict, but flourishing, wholeness, and delight. I love learning this Hebrew word. I desire this kind of peace in my life. I want to be the person who spreads Shalom in my community and family.
• The Hebrew word Tsaddiquim means a righteous person. This words means seeking personal righteousness, dealing with others honestly, generously, and compassion to others, especially those who are hurting. I really like this word too and I want to be a person who has Tsaddiquim.
• Women have been working, they did so to make a living even in the olden days. Only the elite were stay at home mothers, but the middle class and the poor worked. They worked the land, they sold goods all while taking care of the children. I believe somehow we have been lied to when it comes to our media and other outlets that working women is somehow a new concept. It isn’t. Even Paul dependent on women who were single, who worked to help fund his ministry. Like Priscilla who sold a special purple color fabric in order to fund his ministry.
• Something that Beaty brings up is judgement that we women fling at each other. Whether it is you are being a good mother or you are not a woman because you have decided not to have children or to be a wife. You seem to be inferior or not woman enough. It is so sad. I think us women need to stop comparing and judging ourselves and others about things. Accept that we are all different, that God created us to do different things in our lives. Support and love each other and unless the child is in danger keep our opinions to ourselves. Or only share our opinions when we are asked.

I hope that the women who are in my life will take the opportunity to read Beaty’s book. It helped me see my own worth and value in God eyes even though I am not married or having children.

In exchange for my honest opinion of Katelyn Beaty’s book A Woman’s Place I was given a free copy by Howard Books. The opinions and comments I make are my own.