She Lives Differently

(What is it to be a godly woman in an ungodly world? This question inspired me to invite some talented writers to contribute their responses. This piece is submitted by the my dear sister in Christ, the wonderful Gyapomaa Bampoe – aka simplygyaps – who blogs as the InsideOutGirl. Check her work out, particularly the one called Mask On, Mask Off. For now, enjoy these words of insight … For His Name’s Sake, Shalom, C. L. J. Dryden)

So, they moved into the city, they unloaded the trucks and as I watched from across the road, I saw the mother and her two sons. Something about this woman was different, not just in her dressing and accent but clearly in her beliefs.

As we got to know her better, we realised things were not always easy for her. It must be challenging living so far from home among people of different beliefs. She, however, carries herself well, she doesn’t try to fit in, which can sometimes cause problems.

How does she keep her convictions amid all these diverse views? As the women in the neighbourhood gather, she finds a way to be friendly without compromising her faith. It was only a matter of time before others took note of her – admiring her even.

Living differently doesn’t exclude one from disaster. Our friend lost her husband and her 2 sons too. Living among different people who have now become part of her family … now her only family. What do you do when everything is unfamiliar? When your circumstances seem to be in contrast with your convictions?

How does one keep the inner voice louder than the screams around? How does she live so differently in the crooked, broken world around her?

Our friend explains that it hasn’t been easy. There are days she doubts her own convictions – she feels the strain, the tiredness. She tells us it gets to a point when we must remove ourselves and go back to our familiar place. Whether that is a prayer closet or hiding under a kitchen towel, that place becomes your secret place, your familiar meeting place with God.

There are no quick fixes but it’s like a constant dripping of a tap, which will only overflow after a long period. To keep going, believing that the next day will be better.

The strength we see in her seems to come from within. She is not pushy with her faith but doesn’t hide it either. Jesus calls it letting your light shine before people. There seems to be an art in letting it shine without blinding others.

How to make your faith attractive rather than a put off – as women we know what can be attractive and what can be too much when it comes to physical dressing.

So too the spiritual can be especially if we find ourselves among people who do not share our faith. We can either completely lose who we are or can force/argue our faith instead of just sharing it. Our friendly neighbour tells us she believes her faith is best shared through her relationships, friendship and her new adopted family. You see her biggest testimony and influence was made evident in her daughter-in-law confessing to her change in beliefs.

I guess what she was saying was that to be able live so differently in an environment alien to our beliefs we have to almost choose to live inside out. Keep building our character inside and this will show on the outside.

I am also reminded of another young woman who lived differently. In fact, she had come from the humblest of backgrounds. A slave girl in a city where kings took pride in their wealth. Through obedience and preparation she became a queen. She too liked to take time to prepare before attempting any hurdles.

This same attitude of humility and seeking God’s guidance allowed her to be used in saving a whole race of people.

For a woman to have that much influence in a male dominated world called for inner strength.

Women are able to create much out of little, for the woman who chooses to live differently, building her life inside out is the sure way to live.

(Photo by Isabella and Louisa Fischer on Unsplash)

For your consideration

Simplygyaps

PS. This is inspired by the lives of Naomi and Esther from the Old Testament.