The strength of women.

“So amazing how this world was made, I wonder if God is a woman …” reads the first line of Shaggys 2003 hit single, ‘the strength of a woman’. That song remains an all time favourite of mine, and am certain of a lot of women too, if not all.

However, God is a not a woman. But the ‘Father’ has imbued in women that inner strength and willpower that had enable us to achieve things that are sometimes beyond our imagination.

Being a woman is not an easy task by any means. Not only because every month we have to deal with the grueling pain of our reproductive systems saying, “Hey, I’m alive and kicking!” Or having to carry another human being in us for nine months, not to mention the excruciating labour pains. But we also are constantly striving in the battle for acceptance.

We see it on television, in magazines, and in society. The “ideal” look. How skinny we’re “supposed” to be, but how it’s disgusting if we get too skinny. And how we’re expected to have huge breasts and voluptuous rear-ends while achieving the toothpick look.

Women are artists. We love to decorate, create, makeover, and rebuild a lot of things in life.

A woman would date a man that is bad simply because she sees him as a project, as well as a lover. Our maternal instincts always get the better of us and we feel we can change the world and help everybody. Actually, we can and we do.

A few days ago, I woke up with severe menstrual cramps, I tossed, turned, groaned and writhed in pains on my bed. Getting up almost every minute to visit the loo, trust me, it wasn’t funny.

Soon, anger crept in as it became clear that I was going to miss work as a result of the damned cramp, but more because I had chores to carry out. Let me chip in here that I live with my uncle, a man in whose dictionary the word ‘excuse’ do not exist.

So I crawled out of bed and dragged myself to the kitchen. I washed, cleaned, mopped and scrubbed, half bent the whole time like an old woman and sitting at intervals.

Frankly, all I wanted to do at that time was lie on my bed, door shut behind me and pull all the stunts that only cramps give the ability to, but I dare not. I finished my chores and went ahead to prepare my uncles meal for when he gets back from work. Hmmmph! Tell me I’m not strong.

This reminds me of an occurrence in my home some eight years ago. We all just returned from a trip, my family and I. I remember falling on the first couch in sight as we entered our home.

We were all fatigued from the long journey, but apparently my dad didn’t put that into consideration as the first thing he did was to ask my mum to prepare food. Huh!? Really?

He had to eat, I know. Actually, we all had to ’cause we were all hungry. But dad give mum a break. At least he should have let the woman take off her clothes. How inconsiderate. Funny thing was, my dear mother had swung into action by the time he finished his sentence. Now that’s a woman.

We are warriors, strong and brave. Guardians, resourceful, and daring. We give and live our lives for the one’s we love. God fashioned us that way, and it takes great courage to do that.

We adapt to and overcome almost every situation. While being fierce and strong, we also strive to maintain our soft looks. A womans strength nutures, and preserves.

Our innate strength is creative, not destructive. It’s a life-giving force. No wonder Beyonce did that song ‘run the world’. A lot of men will openly dispute and criticize her, but deep inside, they agree to the message behind the lyrics of that song.

We may not run the world in the literal sense of the word or phase, but we do play an indispensable role .

The last verse of Shaggys song reads, “Tender lips that’s so so sweet

Gentle words she softly speaks

Such an angel when we need

GOD bless the ground beneath her feet

She can take you on a high

Be your comfort when you cry

But if you look into her eyes

You’ll see the strength of a woman …”

Need I say more? That’s a man pouring his heart out on the strength of a woman. If you’re a woman reading this, stand tall and proud. Walk with your head held high because you’re a force, a life-giving force.