It’s time to celebrate International Women’s Day & hopefully this time of tea & reflection will inspire you to encourage all the amazing women in your life, both young & old.
Recently, I’ve had the joy of having my eldest granddaughter visit, a beautiful strong young woman (yes, I am bias! Lol!). We hadn’t seen each other in two years!
She had been living, working & traveling overseas for a few years but with CoVid restrictions we hadn’t been able to catch up since her return to Australia late last year, as we live in different States.
So, it has been a very sweet time of reconnection. The other day as we went on a little walk by the waterfront, she asked me what topic was I writing for the blog.
Doesn’t it gladden your heart when your family take an interest in your writing! For a writer this makes my heart sing!
As I was explaining the content of my writing including the question I had posed at the end, of which I answered HERE.
My granddaughter thought for awhile about the subject at hand…as we wandered back to the car & drove home, she read out a poem on the paradox of being a woman.
Which is the inspiration for our reflection today. Let’s grab our cuppa’s, treat & get comfy.
My blend today is a Rose & French Vanilla tea with a heart shaped treat of gf shortbread, sent to me by my eldest daughter.
What is a paradox?
The definition of a paradox is the following;
“a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true.”
Life is a paradox, is it not!
Have you noticed that life itself is a paradox? Let’s look at some examples,
We are aging & yet being renewed,
We are complex but simple,
We are strong but vulnerable,
We weep when we’re happy!
These all seem a contradiction in terms but they’re true. Our spirits are renewing as our bodies age. We are complex beings but we have simple needs.
We can be very strong emotionally, physically & spiritually but have tender vulnerabilities in all of those areas at the same time. And we can definitely have tears of joy!
How about the paradoxes in spiritual life?
If we look at Jesus’ life we see many paradoxes. He is known as the Lion of Judah & yet also the Lamb of God! Gentle as a lamb to mankind, yet fierce as a Lion to all evil.
He was fully man & yet fully divine. He came as the Prince of peace to mankind & yet man violently crucified Him! He is the Savior of this world but also will be its Judge (at His second coming).
He is the Light in the darkness!
Jesus also knew the paradox we struggle within our own spiritual lives…For He left us with the following wise advice,
“Keep watch & pray, that you may not enter into temptation for
the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41
Are you a paradox my friend?
Maybe you see yourself in one or all of the following as a woman…
She is faithful & yet detached. She is committed & yet relaxed…She is sociable but also a loner. She is gentle & yet tough. She is passionate but can also be platonic. In short, she is predictable in her unpredictability. She is a paradox! Refer 2
Yes, life is full of interesting little paradoxes…Don’t you think? By the way I think I have found my all time favorite tea blend, it’s absolutely delicious!
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
or in Prayer
© 2021 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog, All Rights Reserved. Photo by Juany Jimenez Torres on Pexels.com
Tea With Jennifer 
Hi Jennifer,
I love this! I hope I am a paradox in all of the ways the Lord would want for me to be and none that compromise Him.
Thanks for linking up!
Blessings,
Tammy
Thank you Tammy! 💕
As we navigate through life we find many paradoxes!! A thought provoking post. Thank you for linking up.
That we do Michelle! Thank you 😊
Lovely post-thk you!
You’re most welcome 🤗
Yes, I am most definitely a paradox. Maybe this is why we never fully know ourselves or another person. Love your examples.
Thank you Theresa 😀
Blessings and love to you and yours, dear Jennifer… ❤
I am a paradox indeed, dear Jennifer! ❤ How wonderful and you and your granddaughter had this special time together to laugh, to cry, to bask in the joy of your reunion as you discussed and shared on so many levels. It's such an important topic that I'll be sharing your discussion on Twitter. HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY & HAPPY EASTER!
Thank you Bette! It was such a sweet time together. Happy Easter to you too sweet friend! ♥
As a mom of sons only – I can see that paradox so very clearly! Trying to be gentle yet teaching them to be strong! You write: Our spirits are renewing as our bodies age! I see that more and more – the silver lining of aging!
My eldest daughter is the Mama of three sons & I see her in the same paradox Maryleigh.
As the Mama of three living daughters (plus my son & third daughter in heaven) I also see the paradox in raising daughters in being strong women of God but not lose their femininity in the process. 😉
Jennifer, this was such a lovely post to read and think on a bit. It is just a lovely time when you can walk, talk, and enjoy tea with a granddaughter and have such a reflective conversation.
Thank you Joanne, it was such a precious time together. 😀
Jennifer, such a great way to present the meaning of “paradox”! I loved the scriptural analogies and can definitely say I am a paradox, but perhaps God intended it that way as we show forth His character?
Thank you Donna, I agree we are definitely made in His image & grow more like Jesus as we walk, talk & live His attributes everyday! 😀
Without paradox life would be very boring, right?
Absolutely Barb! 😊