Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Captivating

I am reading the most amazing book and I had to write about it. I have a feeling that I may write about it more as I continue to read it. This is going to get mushy, so if that freaks you out stop reading now. The book is Captivating, by John & Stasi Aldredge. I am reading it for my small group, and I was not that excited about the extra reading because I do so much of it for school, but this book is like a tall glass of water for my thirsty, thirsty soul. :) I have to force myself to limit my reading, because we only do a chapter a week, and I don't want to get ahead. Plus if I just read a page or two a day, I can more easily digest what I'm reading, because the concepts blow my mind. So basically, the book is written for Christian women, but really any woman who wants to know herself better, or man who wants to understand women better, should read it. The front of the book says "Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul" and that is exactly what it does. So, since blogging helps me digest things, here's a bit of what I've gotten out of it so far: (Disclaimer: A lot of this is coming straight from the book, and I may or may not use quotations, so don't accuse me of plagiary.)

Women primarily want three things out of life: to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to unveil beauty.

Ok,
some of you ladies may already be gagging, because the world has taught you that these things are weak and silly, and that being intelligent and successful are the keys to life, but let me just say: stop kidding yourself. Maybe I'm biased, because my childhood hero was Cinderella, and my current favorite show is "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC (entirely based on the purchasing of wedding dresses at Kleinfeld bridal salon in New York City.) I am as girly as they come. I am a dreamer, a hopeless romantic, and I am not ashamed to admit it. However, these concepts are not just for girls and women like me. Even if you were a tomboy as a child, and your favorite movie is Pulp Fiction, I believe these desires are still at the bottom of your heart.

To be romanced - can you deny that you long to be desired, to be seen, wanted, pursued, and
to be someone's priority?

To play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure - To quote the book: "There is
something fierce in the heart of a woman. Simply insult her children, her man, or her best friend and you'll get a taste of it. A woman is a warrior too. But she is a warrior in a uniquely feminine way. Before doubt and accusation take hold, most little girls sense that they have a vital role to play; they want to believe there is something in them that is needed and needed desperately. Women do not want the adventure merely for adventure's sake, but for what it requires of them for others." Does this not ring true for you?

To unveil beauty - To quote again: "Many of us have
hardened our hearts to this desire, the desire to be the Beauty. We have been hurt so deeply in this area that we no longer identify with, perhaps even resent, the longing. But it's there. We desire to possess a beauty that is worth pursuing, worth fighting for, a beauty that is core to who we truly are. We want beauty that can be seen; beauty that can be felt; beauty that affects others; a beauty all our own to unveil." Are you not thinking right now how true this is of every woman?

As I've said, I will likely share more about this book later. What I love about it is that is not telling me wh
o
I should be or how I should change, it's telling me that the deepest desires of my heart are not only ok, they were intentionally placed there by God. Sigh. It makes me feel excited for what God has in store for me, instead of completely irritable at the fact that I'm still single. It's ok, my prince is out there. And in the meantime, I will be learning more about me, more about God, and more about the adventure that is my life.

And am only on chapter two. :)

"It's about discovering who you already are, as a woman. The woman God had in mind when He made Eve, and when He made
you. Glorious, powerful, and captivating."

2 comments:

Mom Ryan said...

Wow! Sounds like you're enjoying the book??!!

Rob, Kelly, Bennett, and Elodie said...

Good stuff, makes me want to read it.

On the being single and waiting for your prince part: I always remember when I was single (and feeling like I would be for ever and ever) I asked a guy friend who had just become engaged what advice he would give to a single lady. He was really thoughtful about his answer, and he said (something like), "focus on being the woman that God wants you to be/become." I never forgot that, and I think it is the best advice. You will make such a great wife one day :)!