One notion hit me, as I was getting ready to get ready.

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I got this sense that a woman feared me.  And that it has been... bothering her.  I had to laugh.  Gently, no need to be snide about it.  Not for me, in any case.  It matters little to me.  Why?

Find me a standard, typical in most common senses, woman.  Let me discuss a few things with her.  If she is still at home, does she fear her parents?  I mean it, downright fear, on some topics.  What about her teachers?  Does she fear them.  Does she ever break out into a sweat if she realizes she forgot to prepare for class in such a way that her instructor will know, directly?  Or even have had the thought pop into her mind.  Does she fear her peers, her nakedness, our even being ignored and overlooked?  If she is faithful, does she fear God?  Does she know how she fails in her faith, and understand the price of that.  Even a slight sin displeases God.  Then... why on earth would she not fear me?

As a fact, if a woman doesn't fear me, she has no worries.  If she finds a man who scares her a great deal, that is a man she might consider, or run away from.  If he is righteous, she should understand her fears are no more and no less than any of the fears she already has, just a new one in a new way, and it is given for a reason.  She, as a woman, is a fearful creature.  And that is good.  It is what she does with her fears that will decide if she goes on to be a rightfully fearful creature or just another woman, scurrying between temporary shelters, to end up as most emancipated women have truly feared, old, broke, unemployed, and alone.

Deal with your fears, that is bravery, and the safer path.  Hedge your bets.  It's no guarantee, much as hard work is no guarantee of success.  Both, however, in their place, certainly offer more hope than simply hiding from fear, or hard work in the latter.  Do both and you almost can't lose.  Actually, even if you lose, you will not have lost.  I think of the story of the talents, given to slaves.  While most gained, one buried the talent to keep it safe, and lost everything.  There is no clue as to what would happen if the holder had pursued greater wealth and lost some portion.  My guess is... he would have been simply allowed to keep what of his loss remained.  Just... something to think about. 

Bah!  Best get going.