As the year came to a close I felt an impression in my heart, put there by God, that in the New Year, I personally had need to network more with women. It was pretty much the fact that some of the things I was looking for, some women already had and were looking for somewhere to pour into.
So I entered 2011, with the mindset to deliberately pick and nurture my relationships with other women on a scope wider than I had done all my life. To be able to do this I had to deal with the fear that women never look after their own. I had to deal with the phobia that women are always looking for other women to pull down. So I prayed and I am still praying real hard for God to bring into my life the right kind of women, who have the same heart after God that I am trying to develop.
I am sure you want to know how I have fared; it has been a great experience.One thing is clear to me now, and it is the fact that there are other women all over the world who have the same yearning in my heart and I know God will continue to bring me in contact with them to make powerful connections for the sake of womanhood and humanity.
Two other events made it imperative that I speak about this yearning on this page. The first was about the shootings in Arizona where so many people were killed and injured, including a female US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. We have all watched and hoped and prayed that she gets back on her feet. But then today I stumbled on an article someone had sent to me, on the fact that when she opened her eyes for the first time in the hospital, she had her family members and… wait for this, her female co-workers and friends around her.
This resonated so much in my spirit and I wondered if there will be any women willing to do vigil at my bedside had it happened to me. I also had to quickly ask myself, “Is there a woman for whom I will keep vigil?”
The second even twas the PDP Presidential primaries here in Nigeria, and how for the first time, a woman Mrs Sarah Jubril made It to the primaries. Yes, she had only one vote, but I looked at the pictures and I didn’t see any woman standingby her, cheering her on. No wonder all she got was one vote! She was such a lone voice in the wilderness. Now this is not about qualifications, this is about being there for one another!
The next time we have a female presidential candidate, or any candidate for that matter, remember that we need to stand together. When Mary found out she was pregnant, and didn’t fully understand what was going on, she sought out one of her own; Elizabeth, and for six months they lived together and I have a feeling Mary must have felt better. When Naomi’s life hit the roughest patch ever, she had Ruth. The rest is history.
While it is great to have a powerful marital relationship that has your back, I think it is about time we started to forge powerful relationships amongst the women folk. Let’s go back to how they did it in bible days, when they stood for and with each other.
Let us return to the days of our mothers, when every woman on the block had a say about how the children were raised. Whether she had children of her own or not! Let us go back to the days when the women will agree and stand in the place of agreement until they obtain results. Where did the women go???
To the women in my life, I wish I could mention all your names,I want to say thank you. Because today,I recognize that your place in my life is powerful.Thank you Kate, Sarah, Audrey, Shade, Sola, Enife, Tayo, Evelyn, Charity, Nkiruka, Oghogho, Tonia, Isioma, Victoria, Ngozi, Seyi, Inyang, Patience, Anna…
I wish I could mention all your names,thank you and God bless you. Now it is your turn, who are the women in your life? What are your relationships like? Make powerful connections this year, because there is a unique power available when Sistas connect. Love you all.
— Bidemi