In case you forgot, I love to read.  Stacks of books seem to pile up all over the house — most of them half read.  Other women buy shoes; I buy books.

I’m in the middle of reading Annie Downs book Let’s All be Brave, and she is just so darn relatable that I feel like we could be “Peas and Carrots” (or maybe chocolate and fudge would be better!).  I am loving her book and will share thoughts on it on another day soon.  This week, however, I am linking up with Annie to share a book that I feel every young woman should read.  Head on over to her place after you read this to check out her 31-day series and to see what other great books gals are sharing in today’s linkup. 

 A Book That Rocked My World

I don’t believe in magic.  Honestly, I don’t.  But, if I were a believer, I would say that this book had magical properties.  I started reading it in November of 2007.  I was 40 years old at the time, and I hadn’t had a date in almost a decade.  This book breathed new life into me in ways that I cannot even begin to put into words.

In the middle of reading this redemptive message, my path collided with a very wonderful man.  I finished reading this “game changer” during the same week of our first date, and we were married in 2009.

This book helped me to let go of my past and step forward with courage and joy into the adventure of married life.

Title

Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul.

Author

John and Stasi Eldredge

What the Book is About

The authors believe that God invites women into a great Romance with Him.  His desire is to heal our hurts and restore our hearts.  God wants to be the Hero of our stories — the one who comes to set us free to live fully and freely.

Why I “Loved, Loved, Loved” It / Takeaway Truths

I am God’s beautiful creation:  “Every woman has a beauty to unveil.  Every woman.  Because she bears the image of God.  She doesn’t have to conjure it, go get it from a salon, have plastic surgery or breast implants.  No, beauty is an essence given to every woman at her creation” (p. 42).

God is wooing me to Him:  “The Great Love Story the Scriptures are telling us about also reveals a Lover who longs for you.  The story of your life is also the story of the long and passionate pursuit of your heart by the One who knows you best and loves you most.  God has written the Romance not only on our hearts but all over the world around us.  What we need is for Him to open our eyes, to open our ears that we might recognize His voice calling to us, see His hand wooing us in the beauty that quickens our hearts” (p. 115)

God’s beauty exuding from me invites others to the Romance:  “A woman who is unveiling her beauty is inviting others to life.  She risks being vulnerable: exposing her true heart and inviting others to share theirs.  She is not demanding, but she is hopeful… She offers her beauty by asking good questions and by bringing something of her times with God–an insight, a glimpse into His heart–to bear.  She entices others to the heart of God” (p. 137).

God invites me to partner with Him as a Warrior Princess for the Kingdom:  “Be here now.  To live as an authentic, ransomed, and redeemed woman means to be real and present in the moment.  If we continue to hide, much will be lost.  We cannot have intimacy with God or anyone else if we stay hidden and offer only who we think we ought to be or what we believe is wanted.  We cannot play the ezer role we were meant to play if we remain bound by shame and fear, presenting only to the world the face we have learned is safe.  You have only one life to live.  It would be best to live your own” (pp. 215-216).

Buy it Here & Photo Credit:  Ransomed Hearts Ministries

 Q4U:  Have you read a book that rocked your world?  Please share…