| Can I Have and Do it All, Please? | Chapter 2

This week at Women By Design we dove into chapter two of "Can I Have and Do It All, Please" which is entitled "All About Value."

This is my favourite quote of the entire chapter:

"If we don’t understand the value of something we will often mistreat, abuse and discard that thing.” – pg 36

Using this quote as our jumping off point we looked at how the world around us values women, how they are treated and what ideas and expectations are placed on women today:

* We talked about the horrible tortures of human trafficking

* We discussed how life experiences, trauma, words spoken over us and even poor examples of Godly women can affect how we see ourselves

* We recognized expectations society puts on us in terms of beauty and image

* We identified how we see ourselves and why?

:THEN:

(and here's the good stuff)

We wiped the slate clean and refilled it with all the things that God tells us to be true

* God created women on PURPOSE, by design

* Jesus valued women immensely, so much so that He included them in His ministry

* Jesus revealed Himself as the Christ - for the first time - to a Samaritan woman...someone that His culture and society would have dictated He never interact with

* We were created in the image and likeness of God - so who are we to mistreat and underestimate what God has made?!?

Genesis 2:18 says:

Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him. (AMP).

* We looked at the idea of being a helper, not a slave or servant, but instead one who works together.  The Hebrew word for helper is "e'zer" which means "helper like unto God" and is used more than 19 times.  This is a significant helper - that's for sure!

* And finally, we were encouraged and reminded to keep on going:

"Because sometimes all it takes is believing that you are worth it.” – pg 44

When we understand the significance, value and purpose God has created us - as women - to have, we will begin to do even greater things.  How exciting is THAT?!?