Extraordinary Women

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"I am dark, but lovely, O daughter of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. Do not look upon me, because I am dark, because the sun has turned me. My mother's sons were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept" (Song of Solomon 1:5-6).

I am writing this article for every woman who does not think highly of themselves or do not trust that God can bless them with many blessings and give them the chance to be extraordinary.

Extraordinary women do not look any different than others, they have no natural qualities of their own. Being extraordinary takes only one step which is to commit and devote your life to God and in that He will show you the way to be extraordinary in everything you do.

Committing means to have determination that you will do what it takes to be loving and righteous in the sight of the Lord which it takes a few minutes each night to examine your actions, seek repentance, and give thanks to the Lord for helping you overcome any obstacles you may encounter.

In the Holy Bible, God gives as many examples of women who were ordinary but became extraordinary by becoming loving, faithful, and devoting their life to serve Him such as:

St. Mary: "And Mary said: 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He regarded the lowly state of His maid servant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.'"(Luke 1:46-48). She was a young woman who devoted her life to God and serving others. She was the most blessed woman in the Holy Bible above all others for she had been chosen by God to fulfill His promise of salvation. St. Mary was full of love, grace, humbleness, and endurance.

Ruth: "But Ruth said: 'Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.'" (Ruth 1:16). She demonstrates loyalty and love because she was determined to go with her mother-in-law wherever she went after her husband had died. She also took the role of supporting herself and her mother-in-law without complaining. She worked long hours in the fields cleaning some grain from what the harvesters left behind. Although she was a pagan, her faithfulness toward God and His commandment was great. That is why God blessed her with marriage, wealth, love, and a son. And her son became in the royal line that would eventually produce our king and savior Jesus Christ.

Anna: "She was of great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day" (Luke 2:36-37). Although she only appeared very briefly in the Holy Bible, she was a prophetess who received a special revelation from God and spoke to others with many words of encouragement and instructions.

Deborah: "Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, Barak, and lead your captives away, O son of Abinoam!" (Judges 5:12). She was another prophetess and was the only woman in all scripture who ever held a leadership position (only judge among male judges), a wife of Lapidoth, and had a son. God raised her up among the men in order to show them their wrong ways and to let them know that He is among them (for they were paralyzed by fear).

The Samaritan woman: "The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, ‘Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be Christ?" (John 4:28-29). The Holy Bible showed us her amazing transformation after she met our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Although she was a pagan and has no purity in her life, after she met our Lord she acknowledged her guilt, left everything, ran to tell others and invited them to come to Him. And many people came to see and became believers and followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary Magdalene: "Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons" (Mark 16:9). She was full of immorality and tormented by seven demons. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ delivered her from her suffering, miserable life, and freed her soul. He gives her a chance for a new life and she took it and transformed herself and devoted her life entirely to Him. She joined the close circle of disciples who traveled with Him to help and serve them on their long journey; also she stood alongside St. Mary and John the beloved during our Lord's crucifixion. Early Sunday morning, she came to the tomb searching for the Lord. That is why God blessed her to be the first one to see Him, to speak to Him, and to tell others of His resurrection.

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies" (Proverbs 31:10).

When we read in the Holy Bible about the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31; we see that God tells us that she can be any woman that you meet in church, work place, grocery store, etc. The Holy Bible tells us that God loves everything about her for she takes care of her household, is dedicated in her work, and whatever God gives her of talent she uses it for His glory. And she works tirelessly and does all she can to help others but not at the expense of her love to her Father and His commands to her.

God wants His children to be beautiful inside and outside, to be successful in everything they do, and to shine in the midst of a dark world around them. He wants others to see God's care and love for His children. His main plan is for His children to grow in faith, love, trusts, and knowledge of His way. When this happens, they can make sound and wise decisions in everything they do in the world. This will never happen unless we separate ourselves from the world emotionally, spiritually, and physically. When God becomes our first priority then everything else will be added to us.

Be in good cheer, for the Lord is waiting for you!

~A LETTER FROM GOD TO WOMEN~

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils.

But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.

From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you.... I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully. Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body.

You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side. You are my perfect angel.....You are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart.

Your eyes......don't change them. Your lips-how lovely when they part in prayer, Your nose, so perfect in form. Your hands so gentle to touch I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep. I've held your heart close to mine.

Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me. Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support. You are special because you are an extension of me.

Man represents my image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God. So men... treat women well, Love her, respect her, for she is fragile but yet strong at the same time. Tell this to all of the wonderful women you know to bless their day. This is for all the women in your lives. Your sisters, your mother, your wives, your daughters, and the ladies you work with everyday. Tell it to men too, they need to hear it as well. Tell it to everyone.

Written by
Nagwa Abdou