Captivating, Chapter 1

Chapter One

The Heart of a Woman

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

I love this poem! Here's my interpretation of it:

You are a creature of beauty

You may feel alone, but you are strong enough to survive

All the love and emotion you feel has a place to embraced by others

And in all of these insecurities, you know that these feelings are true and to be cherished.

***

I'm trying to remember when I first knew in my heart that I was no longer a girl, but had become a woman...

I don't recall when this was for me, but I know that I am just now beginning to accept and love being a woman. Perhaps that is because I am learning what "being pursued" really means, and ultimately, at the end of the day, I definitely love it!

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But no matter how much I asserted my strength and independence as a woman ("hear me roar"), my heart as a woman remained empty. To be told when you are young and searching that "you can do anything" is not helpful. It's too vast. It gives no direction. To be told when you are older that "you can do anything a man can do" isn't helpful, either. I didn't want to be a man. What does it mean to be a woman? (4)

I completely identify with this! I appreciate having been told, "Katie, you can do anything you want," but that didn't really help me process through what I wanted. (I comment on this aside from the real question of womanhood. That's far too difficult to answer...)

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 The kitchen floor and false expectations entering love and marriage (5)

I mention this topic from page five because I got a laugh out of it. I do identify with the idealized picture of myself being Betty Crocker, but yet I also realize how unrealistic this is! Still, the fact that I, as a woman, may put a part of my identity and value in what it may mean to be a "good domestic wife" should not be undermined the false expectations we place on ourselves. 

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Shame, the universal companion of women (7)

Wrapped up in the ideal form of who we should be. Shame, such a strong and fearsome word. Directly related to false expectations. 

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Why Proverbs 4:23?

Because God knows that our heart is core to who we are. It is the source of all our creativity, our courage, and our convictions. It is the fountainhead of our faith, our hope, and of course, our love. This "wellspring of life" within us is the very essence of our existence, the center of our being. Your heart as a woman is the most important thing about you.

***

3 Things longed by a woman: To be romanced, To play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and To unveil beauty. True or false?

I'm not sure if they are true for all women, but after reading the explanations for each, I definitely qualify! Especially with the desire to be on an adventure with others. I love these words:

...we were made to be a part of a great adventure. An adventure that is shared. We do not want the 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 (12).

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But Maria has a rare and beautiful depth of spirit. She has the capacity to love snowflakes on kittens and mean-spirited children. She sees the handiwork of God in music and laughter and climbing trees. Her soul is Alive. And we are drawn to her.

 It is my life's goal to become Maria.

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A woman in the presence of a good man, a real man, loves being a woman. His strength allows her feminine heart to flourish. His pursuit draws out her beauty (18).

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Oh goodness! Monica, I am loving this book! It's such an easy read and the topic is completely where I am right now. Thank you for the recommendation and doing this with me! :)