Solving the World's Problems

Not long ago, I had lunch with a friend.  She was lamenting all the social disadvantages of being a widow.  Let's just call her "Linda".  Let us hope that Linda does not read this blog!  (which I think is doubtful).

Since I am not a widow,  I cannot really know or imagine what that is like, in social situations, to be a lone female.   But at one point in my life,  I was a divorced woman with three small children, and that certainly had its social challenges, so I'm not entirely clueless.

I think one of the most interesting things that Linda said was that when she is in social situations where there are couples, she always prefers the conversation of the men (and that gets her in trouble).  She doesn't particularly gravitate toward women's conversations.  I must say I found that stunning.  For a moment, I took that personally,  imagining that conversation with me was boring. (which hopefully is not always true!)

As I have reflected on that since,  it makes it clear to me how far apart we are in our conversational preferences.  What Linda meant is that she prefers conversations that deal with solving the world's big problems.  I have noticed that when we talk, that is the kind of conversational item she seems to prefer.  While I am aware of all the big problems in the world, and try to keep up with them, and read about them,  I am not at a point in my life when I feel the need to solve them.  I do think deeply about such matters,  but that is the one thing that I most wanted to leave behind since retiring from the ministry.  Every social ill and cause, both local and international, crossed my desk daily.

One of the largest elements of ministry was just that.....that the world holds you accountable for all its evils and failures, and you, clergy-person, are supposed to have the answers.  I don't have the answers!  And since I don't have the answers, I don't enjoy talking about such things as human sex trafficking and economic woes.  [I am perfectly happy to let Gerry and all his lunch friends solve the world's problems!]

Now I strongly prefer to be more like a 'normal woman' and talk about relationships---children, grandchildren, weddings, recipes, home decorating, etc.  Ironically, one of my biggest retirement goals was 'cherishing and nurturing friendships'.   Those were hard to both make and maintain during full time ministry.  Now I am enjoying doing both!