A Wednesday Woman

Let's continue with chapter 2 in Captivating, by John and Stasi Eldredge. If you missed last week's post, you may catch up here.

Chapter 2 - What Eve Alone Can Tell

*words in italics are direct quotes from the book

The desire of a woman's heart and the realities of a woman's life seem an ocean apart. Oh, we long for romance and an irreplaceable role in a great story; we long for beauty. But that's not the life we have... A woman's struggle with her sense of worth points to something glorious she was designed to be. (pg 21)

Rather than asking, "What should a woman do - what is her role?" it would be far more helpful to ask, "What is a woman - what is her design?" and, "Why did God place woman in our midst?" (pg 22)

The answer is found in the first woman. John and Stasi paint a beautiful picture of creation, culminating with Eve.

She is the crescendo, the final, astonishing work of God. Woman. In one last flourish creation comes to a finish not with Adam, but with Eve. She is the Master's finishing touch. (pg 25)

And just as Adam was created in God's image, so was Eve. What does Eve reveal to us about God?

First, you'll discover that God is relational to his core, that he has a heart for romance. Second, that he longs to share adventures with us - adventures you cannot accomplish without him. And finally, that God has a beauty to unveil. A beauty that is captivating and powerfully redemptive. (pg 26)

Our deepest desires as women were meant to be met by God. Yes, I still love to experience romance, adventure and beauty in human interaction. That is the excitement of life! But I also have a God who draws my heart and wants to take me on a wild journey, all the while revealing the wonders of his creation.

A Wednesday Woman

Today, we conclude chapter 1 of Captivating, by John and Stasi Eldredge. If you missed last week's post, I encourage you to start there.

Chapter 1 (cont.) - The Heart of a Woman

*words in italics are direct quotes from the book

Every woman in her heart of hearts longs for three things: to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure and to unveil beauty. That's what makes a woman come alive. (pg 8)

To be romanced

This desire is set deep in the heart of every little girl - and every woman. Yet most of us are ashamed of it. We downplay it. We pretend that it is less than it is. We are women of the twenty-first century after all - strong, independent and capable, thank you very much. (pg 9)

Oh my - this resonates with me. Why? Fear, perhaps? Fear that my desire to be romanced will be viewed as a weakness? Fear that my desire to be romanced will go unmet? And yet, the desire remains. My heart longs to be romanced. It did when I was a little girl and it does today. Are you, like me, willing to admit it?

To play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure

There is something fierce in the heart of a woman... A woman is a warrior too. But she is meant to be a warrior in a uniquely feminine way... [she] wants to believe there is something in [her] that is needed and needed desperately. We were made to be part of a great adventure. An adventure that is shared. We do not want adventure merely for adventure's sake but for what it requires of us for others. We don't want to be alone in it; we want to be in it with others. (pg 11-12)

What would it mean for you to be needed desperately? And to be the answer in a way that only you, as a woman, could be? I want to take a risk, do something dangerous, something that matters! I so want to be a heroine in the life of others, especially my husband.

To unveil beauty

The desire to be beautiful is an ageless longing... And it's not just the desire for an outward beauty, but more - a desire to be captivating in the depths of who you are. (pg 15-16)

Oh how I want to be beautiful! How much more so do I want others to see my inner beauty? I'm praying that God constantly work on my heart so that when my husband (who else knows me best?) sees me, he finds overwhelming outer and inner beauty. This is a dream.

A Wednesday Woman

I love to read, especially when a book moves me. A few years ago, I was browsing our local used book store when I came across a copy of Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. Even though this book was written for men, I read it. I got a kick out of some of his descriptions of the male personality, thinking of my boyfriend (now husband), brother or dad. It also gave me wonderful perspective on who God created my husband to be and I longed to read a comparable book written for women.

So, I was thrilled this past Christmas to open a gift from my husband and find the book,Captivating, by John and Stasi Eldredge. Written for women (maybe specifically for me) this book has opened my heart to what God had in mind when he made me.

I've been reading it slowly, trying to soak it all in. In an effort to make the most of this book, I'll be journaling here each week, by chapter, the thoughts that stand out to me. If you don't already own this book, order a copy today and read along with me.

Chapter 1 - The Heart of a Woman

*words in italics are direct quotes from the book

Every woman I've ever met feels it... "I am not enough", and "I am too much" at the same time. Not pretty enough, not thin enough, not kind enough, not gracious enough, not disciplined enough. But too emotional, too needy, too sensitive, too strong, too opinionated, too messy... We feel unseen... unsought... uncertain. (pg 7)

Wow. This is tough to digest, because it's so true of how I feel and how I've felt. And yet, I know it's not right. God did not make me a woman to be striving. Striving is not living. And in all of my striving, I seem to fall further from God's design. God calls me to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30).

A few years ago, Eric introduced me to Tom Petty, by way of a song "Wildflower". By the final chorus, I had silent tears streaming down my face. I felt so connected to the lyrics and could hardly explain to Eric why I found the song so beautiful. John and Stasi list a few lines in the opening of this chapter:

You belong among the wildflowers

You belong in a boat out at sea

You belong with your love on your arm

You belong somewhere you feel free

-Tom Petty (pg 1)

Listen to a sample and read the full lyrics here. What does this song mean to you?

Aren't we all longing for something more? To be a woman full of passion and life? To feel free to be all that God created us to be?

Every woman in her heart of hearts longs for three things: to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure and to unveil beauty. That's what makes a woman come alive. (pg 8)