So the first thing I learned about Muslim Christians was that they worship separately. That comes from a Muslim tradition I suppose. Anyway, at first that was weird, but actually, not too foreign. I mean, men and women used to sit on different sides of the sanctuary. The children sat with the women, including little boys, until they were old enough to go over to the men's side.
That was interesting at first, I mean entering into this crowd of all women. But we looked around at each other and we were all alike. Each one of us had our heads covered and we were all kneeling together before God, so really, I felt more equal with all of them than I ever have before. I wasn't thinking, aw, I want a boy to put his arm around me during worship! He's doing it to her! And I hardly even thought about how the women looked. I never realized before now how much hair really effects what a person looks like. With all our hair tucked away, everyone just looked normal and their faces were just sweet pictures of beauty.
It was really awesome for me. I felt like I could focus on God as we read through the prayers and psalms. I wasn't looking around feeling jealous of someone else's great hairday or their boyfriend (rather husband in this case). I felt sweet fellowship with these other women, and little or no rivalry, which is so rare among women.
So often we see separation between men and women as backwards and sexist. I got to experience it that night, and I saw it completely different. It was beautiful and perfect. You know, there's a reason we were created differently. Because there is beauty in that. There is beauty in the separation. And it was so gorgeous and amazing to worship the Lord with only women. I loved it.
And really, I was sad when the men came in.
M'asselema,
Sara
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