Maya Angelou's well-known poem Phenomenal Woman has been a favorite of mine for a long time now. Every time I read it I am once again reminded of just how beautiful and unique women are. Today as I found myself reading it again, a subtle smile snuck its way to my face.

I'm sharing it with you in hopes that you will smile too. Celebrate the beauty of who YOU are as a uniquely designed woman of God. Celebrate your funny curves, your audacious laugh, your crooked nose or frizzy hair...CELEBRATE YOU!

Know this today...

The Lord your God is with you!

He takes great delight in you!

Because of His love,

He's not worried about your past!

He is REJOICING over you with singing!

(Zephaniah 3:17)

Big hugs to you!!

Phenomenal Woman

Many women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them

They say they still can't see.

I say,

It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It's in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need of my care,

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Maya Angelou