Let the Women be Saved in Childbearing

Today's post is borrowed from my dissertation diary blog.


“. . . and women are to be saved in childbearing.” That was part of the answer P@ige P@tterson gave me when I asked him if there would be a place for me to serve post seminary graduation. His answer was no, “ . . . if you are speaking of pastoral ministry.” “But why Dr. P@tterson,” I asked? He said, “Because women were last to be created, first to fall, and saved in childbearing.”

I had heard rumors of a similar statement he had made at the Baptist seminary in Missouri. But I never really believed it until I was the recipient of his words.

Saved in childbearing. It seems so ironic considering that every minute of every day a woman dies as a result of pregnancy. It seems so ironic considering that statistically speaking I will never have a child. And mostly, it seems so ironic considering that P@ige P@tterson was right. The subject of childbearing is saving me . . . it is what wakes me in the morning and rocks me to sleep at night.

Saved in childbearing, saved in childbearing, saved in childbearing. May the women of Burma and Bangladesh, Jacksonville, and Jakarta be saved in childbearing.
S

The painting, Melon Belly, is the creation of Sarah Ayoub Agha whose work is featured in a current UN exhibit, "The Reflective Mirror".

and again i say, cedaw

It's week two at the UN CSW and I'm reminded why this week is equally fabulous. It's calmer, but there's more concentrated energy. The activists are here this week. Skilled, thoughtful, experienced. I like the activists.

I'm listening to a panel discussion on "The Impact of CEDAW Ratification on Women's Rights in the U.S." The US delegation is here. So is Charlotte Bunch.

It's a good day at the UN.
S

(thanks to mauspray for the photo found on flickr)

seamless conversation

I have really good friends and tonight I shared a meal with one. The last time I saw her was in the Amsterdam airport. I landed early one morning on my way to the US from Tanzania and Lauran was there to meet me with coffee and seamless conversation. I can't say that tonight we picked up where we left off, because our dialogue never drops.

It's good to be back at the CSW and it is wonderful to be among friends.
S

ps
as long as we are having seamless conversation, i have a question . . . i loved trying on these shoes tonight and the ones that were on sale were oh so fabulous, but why are "high heeled" shoes "hot"? what is that about? you know i couldn't preach a sermon in these things. regardless, it sure was fun being as tall as you.