She Will Be Called Woman

Recently, my husband and I watched a movie about Helen Reddy, an Australian single mom with the heart of a singer, who came to the United States. She wrote and sang a number of songs, but is probably best known for “I Am Woman” which was a hit during the days of the Equal Rights Amendment.

However, the song lyrics that have been going through my mind since then are not from this hit song, but another one. Helen married Jeff Wald, who greatly encouraged and helped her launch a successful career, but who also became an abusive drug addict later in their marriage. After Jeff mismanaged their resources, and Helen faced financial ruin as well as the deterioration of their marriage, she sang these words:

I guess it was yourself you were involved with.
I would have sworn it was me.
I might have found out sooner
If you'd only let me close enough to see.
That ain't no way to treat a lady.
No way to treat your baby, your woman, your friend.
That ain't no way to treat a lady, no way.
But maybe it's a way for us to end.

Adam had it right. Eve was “bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh” in such an intimate way! She was his lady, his woman, his friend. Yet, sadly, a tendency towards selfishness and self-preservation came between them, as it often has in most relationships ever since.

Father God, show me my own value as a human being uniquely created by your hand and will. And then help me to treat the friends and family you have given me in kind ways today, realizing that the world needs more “we’s” and less “I’s”!

Throughout This Day: Confess any tendency towards selfishness and invite the Spirit to enable you to be more of a selfless friend today!