Use your powers wisely
I love the scene in Spiderman when Peter Parker, recently bitten by the radioactive spider, is in his bedroom exploring his new powers. It’s fun and playful and completely out of control. He knocks things down, breaks things, and gets himself stuck to the ceiling. Eventually, he learns to harness these new abilities, becomes your friendly, neighborhood spiderman, and learns that “with great power comes great responsibility.”
It’s a wonderful coming of age tale. In fact, in the Miles Morales version of Spiderman, Miles at first attributes his mysterious new powers to “puberty.”
Photo by Justus Menke on Unsplash
Which makes a ton of sense to me. Since both my kids started puberty during lockdown (0/10; do not recommend) I’ve had recent up-close experience with the sudden surge of hormones through tiny—oh! not that tiny anymore—bodies. And I remember it myself. My body shapeshifting, doing things it had never done before. And behind these changes, new powers I didn’t understand. Miraculous, generative, healing powers.
For 5 years straight, I was pregnant or breastfeeding or, briefly and uncomfortably, both. I learned what my body can do. I held my newborns and saw and heard and smelled Creation happening around us and through us. We are powerful, lifegiving partners in this miracle. And with great power, comes great responsibility. As partners in this miracle of new life, we have the responsibility to use our powers wisely. To choose life when we can nurture it, love it, care for it. And to wisely choose not to use our powers when we cannot.
Nature teaches this lesson well. Don't plant your tomatoes in August. I mean, you can, but they won't bear fruit. Plant them in January and they will just die. If you are going to bring human life into the world, then you have at least as much responsibility to that new life as you do to your tomatoes: choose the time that gives your child the best chance to grow up wanted, nurtured, and ready to bear their own fruit.
Our bodies are powerful. Even today, my body can calm my anxious tween with a cuddle. Moments of physical connection show that we belong to each other. “Can I get in the hammock with you?” “Will you braid my hair?” “We can share this blanket!” A hug communicates feelings I may not even have words for: You are loved. You are wanted. You are safe.
Use your powers wisely and for good. And remember—If someone is trying to control your body, they are trying to control your power. Your miraculous, generative, life-giving power. And we all have the responsibility to stop them.