Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Women in Black



Recently I saw a group of silent women in a downtown area, standing in a long row as though in mourning. It was a scene that you couldn't ignore, as their solidarity and demeanor caught your attention. I asked the woman at the end of the row what they were doing. She responded that they were part of a network of women who call themselves "Women in Black". They are not an organization, but rather a part of many groups of women around the world who stand in silent vigil to protest war and human rights abuses everywhere. Their mission statement says that they are silent because mere words cannot express the tragedy that wars and hatred bring. These women could have been preaching to the crowds on each street corner in this busy downtown, and I probably would have walked right on by. But their silence, oh their silence. How effective it in eliciting an emotional response. It served as a poignant reminder to me that there are wars and rumors of wars going on all over the world and that people are suffering as a result. Peace, elusive peace does not sound too sweet during times like this. Although I am not standing on street corners in silent vigil, I can pray for peace and do my part in promoting a peaceful existence. And it is with a prayerful heart that I appeal to you to do the same.

9 comments:

  1. To pray for peace is something everyone should do! To pray for the safety of our men and women in uniform is another.

    Love,
    Julie

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  2. Anonymous7:21 AM

    Thank you for sharing this. I didn't know about the women in black. Just reading about these caring women made me feel the love and possibilities for peace.

    Jeanette

    http://www.bamboowomen.com/blog

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  3. So well said, I think that we can forget sometimes the condition of the world as we busy ourselves with our day to day lives. There is power in prayer. Blessings, Karen

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  4. Wow! I'd never heard about the Women in Black before. I'm moved.

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  5. Anonymous3:36 PM

    Amen!
    I enjoy your blog often.

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  6. How interesting! I'd not heard of the women either. I admire people who practice what they preach...very powerful...

    Thanks for your kind words earlier today. Yes, it was a joyful weekend!

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  7. Anonymous8:01 AM

    I understand Peace and want it so bad. This is hard since I have a sone serving and fighting for our country. I know that the Bible says we will have wars.So I join in prayer daily for our country... our men and women fighting and our leaders.

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  8. Powerful statement they are making. We are all responsible for some aspect of keeping our world peaceful and then praying for those that live in war torn countries as well.

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  9. This is such an emotional and poignant statement that these women are making. Thank you so much for sharing this as I wasn't aware of the "Women in Black". May we all Pray for Peace.

    Nancy

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