Captivating

Captivating 

By: John & Stasi Eldredge

I loved this book. When I started reading it I immediately started to feel like the authors were talking to me. One of my favorite things about this book is that some of the chapters are written by John. Knowing that a man can understand women in that way means so much. 

One of the things the authors start off with is describe why God created Eve. Although reading this might give any woman a big head, in the chapter What Eve Alone Can Tell, the authors describe the creation of 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.” But that’s not the end. God Not only created Eve last, but she is the one who brings life. John and Staci go on to talk about how women are a threat to Satan, because women bring life into the world. This might make women feel powerful, but it also means women might be attacked at a higher rate because of this. This chapter also talks about relationships and loneliness.  “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Adam was alone before Eve, then God created relationship’s between man when He created Eve. I thought the following thought was interesting, “Most women define themselves in terms of their relationships, and the quality they deem those relationships to have. I am a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend. Or, I am alone. I’m not seeing anyone right now, or my children aren’t calling, or my friends seem distant. This is not a weakness in women--it is a glory. A glory that reflects the heart of God.” It is interesting to think of how relationship driven women are. I think we/some define themselves by who they are friends with, or in what relationships (not just dating) they are in. I try to understand how this relates to who God is. I think of how God tends to define Himself as our father, not always as our God, I think god shows a little bit of separation. But father, a father is someone who is a part of you, someone who was involved in your creation, and birth. 

There were three chapters that were more difficult for me to work through, they were, Wounded, A Special Hatred, and Healing the Wound. They weren’t difficult because of what has happened to me in the past, but because of how many people do deal with this type of thing every day. Abusive relationships, rape, divorce. Things that shatter a women, not just physically, but emotionally down to her core. Women take on everything emotionally, it is how we analyze things. I know I struggle with disappointment. That others will be disappointed in me because of one tiny mistake. I mentally and emotionally beat myself up for doing something that no one else even noticed or really cared about enough to comment on it. I am a people pleaser, a retriever, but I don’t think that is where it started. I really didn’t have friends till about 5 grade, I was fairly independent. I remember being in Girl scouts and not being friends with any of the girls in my group. I then moved and became the popular girl for a few months since I was new, and have some how lost my independence since. About every 3 or 4 years of my life I get a new groups of friends, I don’t think thats any different than most people. But I do find myself needing to be attached to some group. I don’t feel that way with guys, thank God, I have been single most of my life. What I mean to be getting at in this paragraph is that I know that there are people out there that are going through horrible traumatic events, of which I cannot fully relate. But I think my “wound” that needs healing is my sense of independence. Even being on my internship I am finding it hard to force myself to go out and do things on my own. It is getting easier because I know my way around, but I feel like I need someone else to go with me. 

My favorite chapter in this book is Warrior Princesses. This one has really stuck with me. I remind myself of this chapter everyday, I try to wake up and remind myself to be a warrior princess. Then of course I think through all of the things I want to fight for. Fight for my relationship with God, time spent with Him. Also my relationship with my boyfriend. For a while I was struggling with my devotions with God, and I noticed how the lack of time with God was affecting the rest of my every day life.  As I got better with my devotions and time with God the depression and worrying started going away. I have come to realize that my relationship with God is not the only thing I fight for when I fight for my time with God. It affects my whole life. 

This book has been very eye opening for me, discovering who I am as a women. It is a book I wish I had read years ago, and plan on reading again some time in the future. I would recommend this book for all women. The way the authors talk to you in the book it is like they are dear friends who would never judge you but want to understand who you are, and understand the way God is working in your lives.