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  It would seem to me that “Womenopause” would afford us the opportunity to reflect on the importance of what God says: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). This is the time for women to just “BE.” Be the woman God has created you to be. This is the time to “BE” the mother to your children at a slower pace now; “BE” the wife to your husband, and reflect on how you can creatively reshape your marriage. If you are single, “BE” the single woman, “BE” the single mother, “BE” attuned to the single selfhood, as you move in new directions with a newfound soulness. There may be times during “Womenopause” when you may feel down and out, all alone or lonely. This is the time to call that woman or women in your life, so that they may build a circle around you and empower you with the spiritual light of perseverance. In this circle, experience God in the center of the circle. The circle concept is not strange to us, women of color. We know that the women in Africa encircle themselves as they listen and tell stories to one another. This is the time to come together with women in the church, on the job, in the sorority, in the community, in the shopping center, in the family and so on, and talk about the menopause, “Womenopause,” experience. When we tell our stories, we women can become more liberated. Yes, there is a balm in Gilead, and it makes me whole as I journey through “Womenopause.”

  This is also the time to pause and name what is going on inside, then call out these various experiences to God and invite God to hear our prayer. During “Womenopause,” we thirst for water; we find ourselves thirsty and sweaty about our brows. And, in the midst of darkness, we find ourselves changing our bed linens and night garments. But, there is another kind of thirst; we find it in Psalm 42:2: “My soul thirsts for God, the living God.” Praying or crying out to God in the midst of our distress can fulfill this thirst.

  We can pause, stop, reflect, revisit and reshape our relationship with God by praying. Prayer causes us to develop a higher relationship with God; in prayer, we rethink some of our petitions and intercessions with God; prayer causes us to thank and praise God for our womanist experiences. This prayerful relationship with God affirms that, yes, our bodies are experiencing a biological cessation according to our developmental stages as women. But the good news: God never ceases in our lives, no matter what our “Womenopause” experiences are.

  Most Gracious and Loving God,

  Please empower women to take time today

  To do all that you have called us to do.

  Let us take the time to be women…and pause,

  In the light of our day-to-day circumstances.

  High One, give us the courage to be empowered.

  * * *

  There are some things in this world that I cannot change, situations that are beyond my control. Instead of wallowing in unhappiness, I will accept the challenge and not let it tear down my spirit. What will be, will simply be…

  * * *

  * * *

  My magnificence exudes the happiness and positive energy that I bring forth. These are my empowering thoughts…

  * * *

  * * *

  Today I soar and am thrilled about these incidents that enrich my life…

  * * *

  JOURNEY TO EMPOWERMENT

  A New Spirit novel published by Kimani Press in 2007

  First Published by BET Publications, LLC in 2004

  ISBN: 978-1-5525-4858-5

  © 2004 by Maria D. Dowd

  All rights reserved. The reproduction, transmission or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without written permission. For permission please contact Kimani Press, Editorial Office, 233 Broadway, New York, NY10279 U.S.A.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  ® and TM are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and/or other countries.

  www.kimanipress.com

  Coming Next Month

  If you enjoyed the eBook you just read, try MORE GEMS FOR THE JOURNEY by ordained elder Vikki Johnson