Chapter Three.... hmmm... so what really is the deepest question this chapter has to reveal? Is it whether or not we realize that we have beauty to unveil? Or is it, "Hey Eve - What happened?" Once again I am less than amused with this book. (Although I can really relate to Stasi's grocery store story at the beginning of the chapter - I'm always counting my # of items to avoid women like that!) Regardless - here's a little of what I picked up.
"Eve was inviting, alluring, captivating."
Sounds like your "Ideal Southern Lady." In some ways I feel that pressure when I try to put on a party (which is NOT one of my gifts) - it stresses me out, and it shows! I don't glisten, I SWEAT! Thank goodness I don't live in an area or work in a community with too many moms who turn their nose up at you if you're not the most inviting, alluring, or captivating! (Talk about pressure!!)
The section that talked about how most little girls love playing dress up, asking if they're pretty reminded me of a song my Grandmother loved, and my mother sang to me whenever life got topsy turvy: "Que sera, sera / whatever will be will be / the future's not ours to see / que sera, sera / what will be, will be." (sorry for the lack of Spanish accent marks in the right place - I'm not sure how to do that on Blogspot.)
Fruits of the Fall
To summarize: Man is cursed with futility and failure - a man's worst fear - b/c of Adam. Woman is cursed with loneliness, the urge to control & with [the struggle over] the dominance of men. Huh. I thought it was always childbirth, from what some Sunday school teachers said!
And since I've already admitted I'm no true Southern Belle (just Southern, thank you kindly!) - pardon me for the next few lines to come.... Women I dislike: controlling, dominating, one who doesn't need anyone's help (especially a man), desolate, too vulnerable, needy, always feel like they have to be a in relationship (::cough cough:: my middle sister). These kinds of women exhaust me - drain me - frustrate me - down right tick me off sometimes! Okay, a lot of the time lately. So it was good to read about them in Captivating. All of these women, no mater what polar opposite they may be of the other, are trying to hide their true feelings; their true selves. They are unhappy, no matter what shows on the outside. They are less likely to trust God for what He wills their lives to be. ::sigh:: In the heat of conflict, or the exhaustion of the same old needy story over and over again, it's so easy to be human - instead of being more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlling. (Yes, these are the "Fruits of the Spirit!")
This really was a hard chapter to talk about - it brings up my inadequacies, depression issues, and bad habits that are sometimes easier to solve with worldly ideals. I know I have a lot to say(thanks for reading), but I'm naturally introverted. I often obsess over insequential things (or argue with my husband about the big issues that he obsesses over that don't phase me for some reason). And in my past I have been that woman who tried to control every aspect of her life and the people in it - but I've also been the one that was too needy or vulnerable. It's hard to be a working mom and loving wife/mother, who tries to succeed at everything she does.
So what is the deepest question this chapter had to reveal? I don't think it's that a woman's worst fear is abandonment. That's an over-generalization. (I like being alone - and only wish I had more time to my self.) Maybe the question isn't what beauty do I have to unveil, but what beauty already surrounds me that I haven't embraced?
