Tabitha’s story can be found in Acts 9:36-43
There is a video of me reading “Another Breath” from the book “For Such a Time as This: Stories of Women from the Bible, Retold for Girls” by Angie Smith and Illustrated by Breezy Brookshire on the Period Pastor Facebook page.
Tabitha is her Jewish name. She has a Greek name, Dorcas, because she (and many others) have been colonized by Rome. When Paul calls her to life, he uses her Aramaic name, Tabitha. The words he uses have a decolonizing tone. God calls us by our real names, (whatever that might mean for each of us), because God is calling us as our truest or most authentic self. The purpose of the use of her real name, and her resurrection (for the writer of Luke and Acts) is to spread the good news about the inbreaking kin-dom of God in the world.
Tabitha is a woman of wealth and status whose death impacts her entire community. Her story gives us a picture of how women served important roles in early Christian communities (known then as followers of The Way). Tabitha used her time, talent, and treasure to support those around her. Much like those of use today who are sewing reusable menstrual pads and face masks with Days for Girls. Tabitha’s story highlights the role of widows too. Sometimes we think of widows as those needing care, but they are often those giving care. In Tabitha’s story, we see them tending to her body for burial. And can I just say, when I die, I hope my friends and family show people DFG menstrual hygiene kits and talk about how I loved everyone “sew” much. But even in this life, I hope women find ways to encourage, support, and even brag a little about other women they know doing good work.
The kin-dom of God is here when become authentically us, we call each other by our real names, know each others true selves, and use our time, talent, and treasure to uplift all of our neighbors.
Sisters and brothers, I encourage you to Love God “sew” much. Love yourself “sew” much. Love your neighbor “sew” much. Period.
If you like this blog post you should also check out Quality Control as love for neighbor.
I also used “The Women’s Bible Commentary” edited by Carol A. Newsom, Sharon H. Ringe, and Jacqueline E. Lapsley to write this post.
Period Pastor Pad 