Often when I introduce myself I say that I am a philosopher. This was easier to explain when I was a philosophy professor. But this is part of who I am. The term philosopher literally means a lover of wisdom. I have always loved, as in desired and wanted, wisdom.
There have been times when calling myself a philosopher has been met with raised eyebrows. When I was in graduate school, a professor asked me if I was serious enough to be a philosopher or if I was just going to get married and have babies.
As women, we spend a lot of time trying to make people feel good about themselves and trying to fit into their ideas about who we should be. Sometimes this is part of radical hospitality. But sometimes it means we hide part of who we are and our gifts [we receive] from God.
Each of us has a unique body, set of lived experiences, passion, and mind. We should embrace and show our whole selves to others and encourage them to do likewise. As Paul said to the Corinthians, we all have our part and all of us are necessary.
This message is excerpted from “Sharing our whole selves” by Jennifer Hockenbery from the July 21, 2024, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today we commemorate Johann Sebastian Bach, 1750; Heinrich Schutz, 1672; George Frederick Handel, 1759; musicians.
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