Simple Power

March 2009

I’m not a big fan of reality TV, but I love watching “Super Nanny.” The nanny helps families in trouble by teaching parenting techniques that can restore order and harmony.

The basic problem is always the same: Either the parents are exercising too little or too much authority. Some parents feel helpless and don’t believe that they can be powerful and authoritative. Other parents are heavy-handed in teaching and correcting their kids.

I fall into the category of thinking I’m powerless. Anyone who has parented, worked with a church committee, or tried to get past an automated telephone help line knows feelings of helplessness. With the exception of help lines, I’m just as wrong about being powerless as the parents Super Nanny helps because I exercise—or have the opportunity to exercise—power every day.

Perhaps the word power scares us and prevents us from claiming our authority. It calls up images of dictators or bullies. None of us wants to be viewed that way. Seeing ourselves as helpless or powerless might be better than being seen as the local meanie. But God gave us—all of us—dominion on this earth (Genesis 1:26) and asked us to use it.

Biblical scholar Walter Brueggeman points out that the word dominion has often been misinterpreted. “The dominance is that of a shepherd who cares for, tends, and feeds the animals,” he writes in his book, Genesis (1982). “[T]he task of ‘dominion’ does not have to do with exploitation and abuse. It has to do with securing the well-being of every other creature and bringing the promise of each to full fruition.”

That’s what the nanny teaches the parents who come to her for help: how to provide a secure home that brings the promise of each family member to full fruition. And that’s what God asks of each of us as well.

That sounds difficult, but there are many simple ways to exercise power for the good of the whole. We do that each time we choose where to shop and what to buy. Perhaps you spend time and talents—your power—in helping others. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and crossing guards set boundaries for children every day that help them grow into strong, responsible adults. We exercise power each time we respond to people in thoughtful ways. A kind word or deed can go a long way toward making someone’s day.

So when we think we are powerless, we fool ourselves. Each of us exercises power regularly. God only asks that we do it wisely.

Let us then pray, along with Augustine of Hippo: “Almighty God . . . grant us purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no passion may hinder us from knowing your will, no weakness from doing it; but in your light may we see clearly, and in your service find perfect freedom.” Armed with this prayer, let us go out into the world as the powerful women that God made.

Debra K. Farrington is a retreat leader and has written eight books of Christian spirituality. Her Web site is www.debrafarrington.com.

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