Rubies Series-Day 1

 
 Today I am starting a series that is wholeheartedly devoted to women. What makes us tick? What IS our worth? What do we mean to God? Sure, I love writing about all things pretty (home decor, and the latest fashions), or all things purple (more to come), but this series is much deeper. It is based on the book "Captivating" by John and Stasi Eldredge. They did an amazing job "Unveiling the mystery of a woman's soul." Not everyone is a "reader" like I am. If you are, I strongly encourage you to snag this book and cuddle up. But for those of you who aren't, I'm going to highlight major points for you, include my own spins and experiences, and try my best to do the message justice.
    
    If you grew up in church, or really, have ever just been to church, I'm sure you've hear that women are meant to "serve and submit." Most pastors like to include that in their wedding messages as well. "Wives submit to your husbands." All the women rolls their eyes (go ahead, do it) and the men smile and beat their chests. I've heard it a million times. The verse goes on to say, "Husbands love your wives like Christ loved the church." Well, Christ loved the church (us) so much He gave His life up for it. But we'll get into that another day! I'm married and don't remember that scripture being included in our ceremony...unless I purposely blocked it out. So, women, we are to be sweet, helpful, quiet, encouraging, composed, disciplined, hard working, and supportive, right? This way, all will look our way and say, "Wow, what a great wife", or "What a strong, godly woman." Well, if that woman DOES exist, she is definitely tired. I know I don't want to live in the shadow of "the perfect woman" who does everything right. "Captivating" isn't about whether or not we measure up. It's not a self-help book, or a 10 ways to do...whatever, book. I just finished one of those-10 Steps to Financial Wellness. Finances MAY be summed up 10 steps, but the secret of a woman's heart cannot.
    
    Our hearts are vital, they do more than just pump blood. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Our hearts are the most important thing about us, our biggest asset. God's placed desires in our hearts for a reason. All women have innate, God-given desires. The first thing we ALL long for is to be romanced.

     The book quotes Nathaniel speaking to Cora in The Last of the Mohicans, "No matter how long it takes, no matter how far-I will find you." What woman doesn't want those words spoken to her? What woman, in her heart of hearts, doesn't desperately long to be wanted, pursued, sought after? None that I can speak of. Sure, this world and our own sinful ways might rough us up enough to no longer show the vulnerability we once had as a child, but the longing is there. As young girls we desire to be precious to someone. Most often, that someone is daddy. I do not have the most affectionate father in the world, but I never, not once, thought he didn't love me. I always felt safe, secure, and loved by him. But I would say, I am part of the minority. There are so many who weren't as fortunate as I in the daddy department. Abandonment, neglect (more emotional than physical) will affect a little girl all the way into adulthood.
  
    In adulthood, we desire to be wanted in a different way; pursued, chased, important to someone. It's our innate desire to love someone fully and have him love us that way in return. Not a daddy-love, but a fierce, passionate, I'll-take-a-bullet-for-you love. So, where does this come from? It comes from God. We are made in His image; Men and women both. He desires a relationship with us. He LONGS to be close to us, to be our best friend and so much more. Women, we've received this trait from our Heavenly Father. There's no shame in a successful, single woman, willing to give it all-for the love of her life.
   
    As far back as I can remember, all I knew for sure is someday I wanted to get married and have children. Other dreams and career goals changed from year to year..or month to month. But the only thing that didn't was my desire for a family. The want..or better yet, the NEED to give love and receive love is born in us. It is buried down deep in our hearts and that's because we're like our Father:)





The significance of rubies is explained at farmorethanrubies-karlee@blogspot.com