No More: the Crimson Flow

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." ~Galatians 3:25-29 This story is as old as creation, as old as the garden when women were formed. Beguiled, used, and made to bare the brunt of the consequences in her womb. Things should have changed for women after the sacrifice of the cross. Sins washed away in blood. A woman's birthing blood and the babe she bore, growing to a man and proving His deity with the love and bloodshed on the cross, then rising again! Did God not say that now we are no more Jew or Greek, bond or free, male or female? Through the blood of Jesus, we are all equal in His sight. (Galatians 3:25-29) History shows how some men…and women, have used religion to keep a woman in "her place", when God has given us freedom and liberty! We hear women shouting from the past, with lips painted red, lips cracked and bleeding, lips bruised and swollen, or lips covered from our sight, “No more!” We hear the 12 year olds forced into marriages, the secretaries with more education than the boss, the women who could build a rocket to the moon but were left in the kitchens. “No more!” We are listening to you, those who are covered with the shame of men yet made to believe it is your own shame. Unable to lift the veil from your mouths. So we say for you, “No more!” We hear our mother's and grandmother's tell their true accounts of rape, molestation, abuse, and self aborted fetuses… tales of death and disillusionment. “No more!” We hear you women! Our wombs clutch and cramp with you, with the horrors you've faced, the humiliations, degradations, and injustices! “No more!” We are beloved of our Father and given voices to sing His praise and tell of His glories! We belong to Him and ourselves. In His name we will honor what he has given us! What has He given us? Freewill, a choice to do with our bodies what we believe is right and good. A mind able to learn and grow, a heart that is tender and strong... and so much more! When a man lay hands on a woman, he is disrespecting not only the woman but her heavenly Father. Generally speaking, because I know there are exceptions, men are made with a stronger body, a vessel weaker than God but usually able to grow strong physically. With that comes responsibility. God says to honor the vessel (a vessel is the outer shell, not the inside) that is weaker than you. NOT weaker mentally, intellectually, or Spiritually…but in body, physically. Using your physical strength to hurt women is despicable. Yet we see it everywhere and in every age of time. We say, “ No more.” The job and title given to women by our Creator is a help meet, translated to English from Hebrew. In Hebrew the word is, ‘âzar or ‘êzer, and means to surround, protect, succor. It is not a secondary position to a first, it is the same title given to the Lord God! “...The Lord… is our HELP and shield!”( Psalm 33:20) Oh yes, there is a scarlet thread connecting women together from our mother Eve. A crimson flow of menstruation, virgin blood, the birthing bed, and violence. It speaks to us from the ground where it is soaked up and used to create new life. When I pick dandelions and weave a crown for my daughter and myself, we express our hope. With my flower crown, fed with the blood of my sisters… ... I wear Hope.