Let us be Women who Love

Oatmeal Bread

2 cups cooked old fashioned oats ( I always use left overs)

1 and 1/2 cups buttermilk (you can substitute soy milk, just add 1 TBSP lemon juice)

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

     Put oatmeal and buttermilk in a large bowl, mix well and cover with foil.  Allow to sit for 2 hours. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium sized bowl, then add to the oatmeal mixture.  You may need a little extra flour if too moist.  Shape into a round loaf  and place on a baking sheet.  Slash the top.  Bake for 45 minutes and allow to cool.

     This is a heavy, rich quick bread and best served warm.  If you want, you can brush with a bit of cream or butter after cooling for 20 minutes.  Serve with berry jam and barley soup!  

          Recently, I have been thinking about what it means to be a woman alive on this planet.  Each moment and day that goes by is one that is closer to the grave.  So how am I to spend my time?  How do I make the most impact on my world?  How should I live with my husband, my kids, my town, my work, my church, my friends, my family?  I have been reading several books which have led me into a deeper understanding of where my heart should be fixed.  One of those books is "Jesus Feminist" by Sarah Bessey.   Included is a poem that wraps up what I should be doing.  Let us be women who love.  

Let Us Be Women Who Love

by Idelette McVicker

     Let us be women who Love.

     Let us be women willing to lay down

        our sword words, our sharp looks,

        our ignorant silence and towering 

        stance and fill the earth now with 

        extravagant Love.

     Let us be women who Love.

     Let us be women who make room.

     Let us be women who open our arms

       and invite others into an honest, 

       spacious, glorious embrace.

     Let us be women who carry each 

       other.

    Let us be women who give from what

    we have.

    Let use be women who leap to do the

       difficult things, the unexpected

       things and the necessary things.

     Let us be women who live for Peace.

     Let us be women who breathe Hope. 

     Let us be women who create beauty.

     Let us be women who Love.

     Let us be a sanctuary where God

       may dwell.

     Let us be a garden for tender souls.

     Let us be a table where others may

        feast on the goodness of God.

     Let us be a womb for Life to grow.

     Let us be women who Love.

     Let us rise to the questions of our

       time. 

     Let us speak to the injustices in our

       world.

     Let us move the mountains of fear

       and intimidation.

     Let us shout down the walls that separate

       and divide.

     Let us fill the earth with the fragrance of Love.  

     Let us be women who Love. 

     Let us listen for those who have been

       silenced.

     Let us honor those who have been

       devalued.  

     Let us say, Enough! with abuse, abandonment, 

       diminishing, and hiding.  

     Let us not rest until every person is

       free and equal.

     Let us be women who Love. 

     Let us be women who are savvy, 

       smart and wise. 

     Let us be women who shine with the

       light of God in us.

     Let us be women who take courage

       and sing the song in our hearts.

     Let us be women who say, Yes to the

       beautiful, unique purpose seeded in

       our souls.  

     Let us be women who call out the 

       song in another's heart.

     Let us be women who teach our children

       to do the same.

     Let us be women who Love.

     Let us be women who Love, in spite 

       of fear.

     Let us be women who Love, in spite of

       our stories.

     Let us be women who Love loudly,

       beautifully, Divinely.

     Let us be women who Love.