In March/April 2023. I attended Magdala where Jesus Christ taught in the synogogue and Mary Magdalene lived, on the Sea of Galilee. Below is what was revealed to me at 3:00 am when I woke asking the question, who do you say that I am, what is a women?
She is story.
She is dynamic.
She is vulnerability.
She is strength.
She is spiritual.
She is leader.
She is feminine grace.
Every woman has a story. To be born a girl and grow into womanhood involves a continuous and dynamic process of deep vulnerability, maturation, change and inner strength. Her very being is one of beauty and receptivity. She senses, knows and recognizes many things that often can’t be expressed or explained. This soft whisper lays dormant until unraveled, it becomes her story.
From a babe, research tells us, she is attracted to and receptive to the face and response of the other. A gift, to be cherished in her and the other. Instead, this is often misunderstood, disregarded, undervalued, and sometimes, abused. Naively, she allows this uniqueness to be subjugated. She fails to recognize it as strength so it morphs into self-betrayal.
Coupled with her vulnerability, is her deep desire to love and be loved. This again makes her vulnerable to those she perceives as more powerful, those that affirm her when she can’t or doesn’t know how. Unchecked, this again leads to self-betrayal.
Womanhood, the very process of maturation involves vulnerability, she bleeds, life flows out of her. Her soft under belly contains her sensitive womb, a receptacle that feeds, houses, births and nurtures.
By searching outside herself, she forgets that her true spiritual self is found within. Its purpose is to commune with God and appreciate it is Him that fuels her fierce heart of love, strength, and He that helps her serve the other. He carries her during times of intense physical and psychological pain, fear, the loss of babies, grown children, relationships, dreams, family, career and her youthful appearance….
Her femininity, vulnerability, capability, this is her story, our story, my story, this is her strength. The story of womanhood and motherhood, that allows her to adapt and face dynamic change throughout every stage and phase of her life. It gives her the empathy and courage to face challenges head on, to create, to let go, to overcome, to figure it out.
Discovery of her true spiritual nature, and spiritual path, this is her unraveled whisper and new story. A story embracing her inner feminine worth, grounded in love, God’s grace, faith and virtues.
The story of Mary Magdalene and other contemporary women leaders, including mine is the impetus for my soon to be launched new book, “Leading With Feminine Grace”.
By attending the Magdala Women’s Encounter 2023, our insight and thoughts were crystallized. We had three glorious days to explore and discover ‘who do you say I am’, we fostered deep connections.
Thank you most sincerely for the 9th Women's Encounter at the Magdala Institute and Centre!