The Words of the Tardy Family
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The Words of the Tardy Family |
Over 450 enthusiastic members of the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) accepted the invitation of Rev. In Jin Moon to join her for lunch after the Lovin’ Life Ministries service at the Manhattan Center on June 14, 2009. Reverend Moon, the president and chief executive officer of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, spoke to them about her vision for peace, especially how they have the power to change the world through their families.
Wanting to meet with the members of the WFWP since she was appointed to her current position, she noted that this was a historical day. Treating every woman with care, she acknowledged right away that “we women have come a long way, haven’t we?” Reverend Moon went on to say, “I think this is a wonderful time for us all to come together and take a moment to reassess where we have been and think about where we want to go in the future”.
Sharing herself with the women of all ages in attendance, Rev. In Jin Moon sincerely told the audience that “as a mother I know for a fact that I am only an effective leader if I am and continue to be an effective mother. So as important as my new position is, I know that my primary position is to continue raising my children.”
Rev. In Jin Moon stressed that everything in this world starts in the family. Many of the women from fifteen different states in attendance were in various stages of motherhood. As a mother of five herself, she acknowledged the struggle that each mother goes through in wanting the best for her children. She shared stories of what she had learned through her own family life, as well as a delightful version of the Korean Aseop fable showing the power of words between parents and children.
In touching on this specific point, the power of the word, she offered a quote from one of her favorite guitarists, Jimmy Hendrix: “Knowledge speaks; wisdom listens.” She then added with reverence that her addendum to this quote would be, “Knowledge speaks; wisdom listens; children observe.” Reverend Moon explained, “The things that children observe and take in with their five sensory perceptions are the kinds of things that feed their souls and their inner qualities of how they feel about who they are and who they want to be. In each household, words are precious.”
Even though the common perception about delinquents is that they come from broken homes, in fact the most extreme and violent delinquents tend to come from families that are still intact, she reported. When you look into such households, the fighting between the father and mother is later directed toward the children out of frustration. “When you verbally abuse somebody, you are killing their soul,” explained Rev. Moon. “The incredible power of the word that is spoken within a family setting is what determines what kind of soul each child is going to have.”
Although women around the world are fighting for equal rights, Reverend Moon commented that there is a need for young men and women to feel and show respect in the family. If there is a lack of decent respect for each other in the home, how is it supposed to be affectively shown in the world?
Rev. In Jin Moon emphasized the need for women to create an environment in a family where future daughters and grand-daughters know that although men and women are different biologically their value and divinity are just as precious to God. “Here we are in this incredible country of America. Our children are exposed to some of the best educational institutions in the world. However, there are certain parts of the world where acid is being thrown into a girl’s face, disfiguring her forever just because she wants a right to an education. This is something that we as members of the Women’s Federation for World Peace must highlight. We must encourage each other to seek equal rights and equal opportunity for our sisters all around the world.”
Reverend Moon feels that the best way to do this is to start in the home with each person’s sons and daughters. With emphasis, she explained, “When a son makes the comment, ‘Oh, you’re just a stupid girl. Why would you want to do karate?’ it should be the mother who takes him aside and says, ‘Son, what are you saying? Your sister can be a black belt just as much as you can. She’s a person just as special as you are.’ It’s these special, life-changing conversations that are going to create a generation of young men and women who are going to change the world and usher in a world of true peace.”
While uplifting the woman’s role of wife and mother as central to the health and well-being of the family and even more to the world’s ultimate change for peace, Rev. In Jin Moon ended by conveying a depth of heart and conviction that profoundly touched the audience. “When we have children, it is our duty to create a home where the children can feel empowered and experience peace so that when they grow up they want to be, or will even call themselves, the Generation of Peace. This is what I am working hard to accomplish.”
After Reverend Moon finished sharing her vision of peace and talk of encouragement, women who traveled to meet her from as far away as California, Washington State, Illinois, Wisconsin, Georgia and North Carolina stood in line to greet her and take pictures with her. Many shared their personal hopes with her, feeling like family ready to support and stand together, and remembering her as telling them, “Please see me as your sister who is working right along with you. Let’s change this world!”
Women's Federation for World Peace, International was founded in 1992, by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, the mother of Rev. In Jin Moon. WFWP affirms family values, seeks to empower women, and maintains that the family is the cornerstone for peace in the world. WFWP encourages service to others and participates in peace and reconciliation activities. WFWP is an NGO in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
Written by Celine Tardy, associate editor for familyfed.org