It’s recently come to my attention that there are millions of women in this world that are treated far differently just because they are female. Now, one would think that this would have been apparent to me, but I was raised in a home where I was treated equally in most areas and was raised to believe that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. I had control over my own body and my mind. With the advent of Twitter I am now exposed to the thoughts and ideas of people from many other backgrounds and I am much more aware that my experience is not often the norm. Through reading on Twitter, I discovered an author by the name of Sarah Thebarge and her book The Invisible Girls: A Memoir.

It is always a gamble when I suggest a book for our church book discussion group. The women in the group are of different ages and backgrounds and I do not know all of them well. I do not read the books in advance, so I never really know if the books going to be well written or appropriate. However, I trust that the Holy Spirit is going to lead me to pick the right book for the right time. This book was chosen for our August meeting and seemed to speak to all of the women in a variety of ways.

Thebarge’s memoir weaves together her battle with cancer with her involvement in the lives of a Somalian woman and her daughters. Raised in a fundamental Christian family, Thebarge received very specific messages about being female and what that meant. From what clothes to wear to what subjects to study, her gender shaped her daily life. The most noble goal was for her to stay pure, get married and then procreate. Thebarge knew early on that she was meant for a different path. She was incredibly intelligent and inquisitive and a transformative experience for her parents gave them the courage to let her follow that path. She eventually ended up in the medical profession as a Physician’s Assistant and was pursuing a masters in journalism when she discovered that she had cancer. The agonizing experience of breast cancer would change her life in many ways. Her identity as a woman was challenged when she lost her breast and her ability to reproduce. It was so devastating that she decided to abandon her dream of working in New York City and relocate to Portland, Oregon.

Thebarge found a new life on the west coast. She was just getting settled when she locked eyes with a small Somalian girl on the train. A few smiles were exchanged and a kind touch. It was the type of thing that happens to people dozens of times a year. A cute little interaction that passes in an instant. This time it was different. Thebarge felt a strong nudge to follow up with the child and her family. She obtained the family’s address and decided to visit them at their apartment. She took baby steps into their lives until she became intricately involved. This was a very risky move. The family was living in an environment that wasn’t particularly safe. The father of the girls had abused the mother and they didn’t know where he had run off to. But maybe most risky was the emotional involvement. Thebarge had been disappointed in so many ways during and after her fight with cancer. She had a very fragile heart. She took the leap and was rewarded with such love from the girls and their mother.

After reading about the journey of the invisible girls (Thebarge included), I found myself longing to listen to the nudging that Thebarge responded to. I believe that the Holy Spirit worked in their lives to bring them all together. I wonder how many times I ignore that same nudging because I’d rather be safe and secure than risk getting involved with my neighbor. I pray that in the future I am able to be open to that nudging in an authentic way. I look forward to following the invisible girls as they continue to grow.