In Florida, you can almost set your watch by the daily rain shower, it’s usually right around 3:00. The sky fills with clouds, rains for about 10-15 minutes, and abruptly stops to make way for the blue sky again.
I was recently shopping when I got caught in a rainstorm such as this. As I was racing toward a storefront, hopping over puddles, a woman passing me in the parking lot shouted above the downfall, “Why do we torture ourselves.” I laughed and shouted back, “Because we’re brave and adventurous!”
It may seem like a silly example, but yes, you.
Yes, me.
We are brave and adventurous.
I’m inspired as I watch women rise above their daily challenges and face it with strength, poise, and beauty. I’m inspired as I encounter women who have been beaten down by life’s circumstances, yet continue to stand back up and become stronger than before. I’m inspired when women share their stories of living in opposition, grief, and heartache, yet remain steadfast in their faith.
I’m always reading books and lately, they’ve been about the Civil War. I’ve especially been fascinated by the lives of the two Harriets; Harriet Tubman and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Harriet Tubman was known as the Moses of her people, who led slaves into the North on the Underground Railroad. Harriet Beecher Stowe was known for writing an inspired piece of fiction, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, that was based on actual stories of the horrors of slavery. (I’ll write about her in a later post). This isn’t new information to most, but as I’ve been reading and researching I marvel at their gifts to humanity.
It’s not commonly known that Harriet Tubman suffered a brain injury as a child when a slave-master threw a two-pound metal weight at her head. This resulted in life-long narcolepsy (falling asleep suddenly). Some say this is when she realized her prophetic giftings as she would sleep deeply for long periods of time and have dreams of the Lord talking to her. It was this prophetic gift that she relied on to guide her as she led people out of their treacherous lives as slaves.
It’s also not commonly known that Harriet Tubman was a nurse and a spy during the Civil War. She was always caring for others and her experiences during the Underground Railroad enabled her to get in and out of places practically unseen. She had to fight for her due income for this service, but eventually, the government rewarded her for her work (years later) and recognized her contribution to the war effort.
“It’s women like Harriet that make me believe that I can overcome any obstacle. You can overcome any obstacle.”
Harriet also dealt with deep grief as her first husband married another woman while she was leading others out of slavery. She even built a home for the aging and destitute all the while taking care of her elderly parents, and donating funds to churches, and taking care of orphans.
And she did this without any ability to read or write.
Let that sink in for a minute.
Oftentimes we let our excuses of “not enough education” or “not enough experience” to hold us back as we dare to step into a space that calls for bravery. But after reading books and listening to podcasts about Harriet Tubman, I am left standing empty with any reasonable excuse for what is holding me back.
It’s women like Harriet that make me believe that I can overcome any obstacle.
You can overcome any obstacle.
You are brave and adventurous and have more skills and advantages than you may realize. And this is why I’m writing this series. Stories have the power to transform, inspire, encourage, and give hope. Over the next several months I will be bringing stories of brave women that have inspired me. My hope and prayer, dear reader, is that their story will inspire you as well. I can’t wait to introduce you to them.