The Strength Behind the Strength
Yesterday, South Africa celebrated Women’s Day.
And before we simply move on with another busy week, perhaps Monday is a good opportunity to stop and recognise some of the heroes who do not always receive the recognition they deserve.
In our electrical industry, we are seeing more and more women entering the trade — electricians, apprentices, engineers, technicians, administrators, trainers, business owners and leaders.
To every woman building her career in what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry: we see you, we respect you, and we honour the contribution you are making.
But today we also want to speak about another group of women.
The women behind many of the men who leave home every morning to go and do this work.
The wife who gets the children ready while her husband has already left for an early site meeting.
The mother who keeps a household running while somebody is working overtime trying to finish a project.
The partner who listens when the day did not go according to plan.
The woman who manages the home, remembers the appointments, worries when you are working late, encourages you when business is difficult and celebrates with you when things finally start going right.
Some of these women will never wear safety boots.
They may never hold a multimeter.
They may never terminate a distribution board or sign an electrical Certificate of Compliance.
But make no mistake:
They are very much part of the journey.
Strength Does Not Always Make a Noise
The world often celebrates the person standing in front.
The successful contractor.
The qualified electrician.
The business owner.
The person receiving the certificate.
But behind many successful people there are others quietly carrying part of the load.
Scripture reminds us:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9
Sometimes that person standing beside you is the reason you were able to keep going when you wanted to give up.
Sometimes she believed in the business before the business was making money.
Sometimes she carried more responsibility at home while you studied for your trade test, Installation Rules examinations or Wireman’s Licence.
Sometimes she made sacrifices nobody outside your household will ever know about.
And sometimes all she asks in return is that you notice.
Don’t Only Provide — Be Present
As men, especially in our industry, it is very easy to convince ourselves that working harder is always the answer.
We tell ourselves:
“I’m doing this for my family.”
And often that is absolutely true.
But there is something important we must remember:
Your family does not only need what you provide. They also need you.
The biggest project can wait occasionally.
The phone can be put down.
The quotation can sometimes be finished tomorrow.
There are moments with your wife, your mother, your daughter and your family that you will never get the opportunity to repeat.
Providing for the people you love is honourable.
But being present for the people you love is equally important.
The Bible Honours Strong Women
Proverbs 31 speaks beautifully about a woman of strength, wisdom, diligence and compassion:
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” — Proverbs 31:25
And later:
“Honour her for all that her hands have done.” — Proverbs 31:31
Notice those words:
Honour her.
Not only on Women’s Day.
Not only with flowers once a year.
But through appreciation, respect, kindness and acknowledgement.
Sometimes one sincere sentence means more than an expensive gift:
“I see what you do for us, and I appreciate you.”
To the Women of Our Industry
To every female electrician, apprentice, technician, engineer, administrator, trainer, inspector and entrepreneur working within the electrical industry:
Keep going.
Your ability is not determined by whether the person standing beside you is male or female.
Knowledge, competence, integrity and workmanship speak for themselves.
You are helping shape the next generation of our industry, and young women coming behind you are watching what is possible because somebody before them was prepared to step forward.
And to the Women Waiting at Home…
Thank you.
Thank you for the early mornings.
Thank you for the late nights.
Thank you for carrying responsibility when work demanded more than expected.
Thank you for supporting dreams that sometimes looked impossible.
Thank you for praying.
Thank you for encouraging.
Thank you for creating a place called home that we can return to after spending our days building, repairing and maintaining everything else.
There is an interesting thought for us electricians:
We spend our lives making sure buildings have a reliable supply.
But sometimes we forget about the people who have been supplying us with strength all along.
❤️
This Week’s Challenge
So, electricians, here is our Monday challenge.
Before this week gets busy…
Look at the women God has placed in your life.
Your wife.
Your mother.
Your daughter.
Your sister.
Your colleague.
Your employee.
Your business partner.
Or perhaps the woman who quietly keeps everything together behind the scenes.
And tell her:
Thank you.
Not because Women’s Day tells you to.
But because appreciation should never require a calendar reminder.
And while you are thanking God for the work of your own hands, remember to thank Him for the hands He placed around you that helped you get where you are.
“Honour her for all that her hands have done.” — Proverbs 31:31
⚡❤️ To the women beside us, ahead of us and behind us — we honour you.
May God strengthen and bless every woman who plays a part in our homes, our businesses, our industry and our lives.
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