On being a woman...

Amidst the storm caused by the refusal to admit women as Bishops, I find myself reflecting on what it means to be a woman in the twenty first century.  No doubt great gains have been made: my husband can no longer divorce me for some minor misdamenour,  it is no longer (generally) considered acceptable to be abused (inside or outside marriage) (unless your name is Grey and you have a signed contract-even then I'm not sure its legally binding), I can own and inherit property, and I have the right to vote and participate in civil life- Women have led our country (well one woman anyway), and governed our land (God bless the Queen), fought in our armed forces, and given us Harry Potter...

What more can a woman want?

To find her voice, fulfil her destiny and leave a legacy that inspires the next generation of women.

Isn't that a bit ambitious you ask?

The church of England certainly seems to think so, but it is not alone.  I find myself reflecting on this one question...

What are we so very afraid of?

Offending God?  Offending Man?  A slippery slope?..... will we be wanting to ordain pets next?

I admit I am bemused and not a little confused.  But this I do know.  As a woman I am okay.  As a woman I am made in the image of God.  As a woman I am blessed with gifts which maybe different to yours, but they are gifts nevertheless.  The only real tragedy that I can possibly imagine is that we create a world where those gifts never get to be shared, this voice never gets to be heard, this destiny is thwarted and the next generation of women inherit a lack lustre legacy which leaves us all poorer.

As a woman I choose to hope for better, to pray for better and to strive for better.