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BY STACEY COLE WILSON

It began with Eve, the mother of humanity, who experienced homelessness, poverty, the death of a child, shame and blame. It continues with Immaculee Ilibagiza, a Rwandan refugee who writes of the healing power of God to forgive even the greatest oppressor, in her critically acclaimed book 'Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust.'

Women throughout the nations and throughout time are blessing the world with their presence, strength, fortitude, intellect, savvy and hearts to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

In Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Oceania, there are known and unknown women who advocate, labor, pray, and fast so that all may have peace; clean running water; social and economic empowerment; decent, affordable food, housing and health care; adequate formal education; racial justice; and a place to rest out of harm?s way.

In every country, one can find women contending against some form of oppression or inequality, and often against disease.

One can also find women serving as politicians and heads of government, entrepreneurs, educators, farmers, astronauts, engineers, musicians, clergy, laborers, athletes, scientists, thinkers and nurturers. They excel within their fields to not only make their lives better but to ensure a better future for generations of their children already here and yet to come.

Therefore, my sister, my brother, my child, my friend, celebrate with me the indomitable spirit and hand of God that rests upon men, women and yes, children, too. Celebrate with me, for God gives us all the power we need to triumph over the sufferings of this present age and to look forward with hope to better days ahead.

Journey with me as I briefly reflect upon a few contributions of women throughout the world who have determined to allow God?s healing love to work within them and to transform their nations. Relax, take a deep breath and come meet them with me at the wells of life. God is not dead. God is alive. Thanks be to God.

At the well called 'survive' you will find her. Her eyes pierce the soul. Her hair is a bit disheveled. She may have some type of band around her head to keep her sweat from stinging her eyes. Her feet are worn and her legs are tired from walking miles to gather water for herself and her family. Her clothing is tattered and torn from many washes and from her daily journeys.

Her hands are slightly rough from cultivating and gathering food, unaware that she is an agriculturalist, a farmer, a trader. Her home consists of two rooms where she houses her own children, yet she always seems to have space for those who come to her in need. Her faith in God is strong, in spite of the suffering and injustice she sees. She works while it is day, for at night there is no electricity to illumine her pathway.

My friend, she is so beautiful, so smart, so incredible that her informal education and folk wisdom enable her to fulfill many roles. She enlightens all who delight in the joy of her presence, and she insists that her children and those she rears have a decent education and a better life. Do you know her? Will you look for her or someone like her and say, I thank God for you.

At the well called 'restoration' you will find her on her knees praying and sometimes crying out to God, not because her life is spiraling out of control (however, it sometimes seems that way), but because she can?t believe that God would hear her voice in the wilderness - the wilderness of her home or barren place. She can?t fathom that God would allow her to overcome the very obstacles, abusers, and abuses that sought to destroy her life.

She goes to work everyday and few, if any, know of her pain or of the things that she has survived and overcome. She too is a survivor, a career woman, a power player and a beautifully painted picture with God?s fingerprints. Her countenance and bearing say to the world, I lived through a form of hell on earth, and God has restored my very life. God is able to turn mourning into dancing. Don?t give up. Keep the faith.

She encourages all with her story. She too is beautiful. She is smart and worthy of unconditional love. Do you know her? Will you look for her or someone like her and say, I thank God for you.

Women have courageous stories to tell. Ask them to share their stories, and listen to them. Write their sacred stories upon the tablets of your heart and hold them close.

This March we celebrate not just the names we know, but the identities of every woman who has suffered, survived and been restored or claimed by God?s grace. Every woman has greatness within her, for she is fearfully and wonderfully created by God.

My friend, make a covenant to encourage the women in your life, to praise God for the women?s organizations that continue to unite us to face the issues that affect the livelihood of us all. Advocate for women?s rights and justice on behalf of women, and give of your time, talent and treasures to an organization that is bettering the lives of women and indeed, of their children and families.

The Rev. Stacey Cole-Wilson is associate pastor at Linthicum Heights UMC.