My new favorite book!

Well, I've been reading this book called Captivating by John and Staci Elderidge. John wrote a book entitled Wild at Heart, written for men. It's hard to put into words at the moment a description of that book. It addresses the deep emotional wounds that have been inflicted on men, especially those from their fathers, mothers, wives, and other women in their lives. That book has been a source of healing for so many men I've known, as they have finally been able to put words to their feelings, they've finally found the answer to their questions about why they feel so haunted by the fear of failure. They've finally heard from the Father, "Yes, you are a man." And He answered their deepest question, the question that hits to the core of their being, He says, "Yes, you have what it takes - you are strong, and you've got the stuff when the going gets tough. You can win the battle. You are worthy of the Beauty you fight for."

Wild at Heart was written to men, but I got so much out of it. Not only did I learn more about men: how to build them up, what not to do/say that will tear them down; but I also learned a lot about me. Mostly that I really struggle with the issue of being the Beauty. I live in a culture that says that because I don't have "the perfect figure" that I'm not beautiful, that I'm not going to be fought for. And so, the book opened my eyes to my biggest wound. A father who stopped calling me Princess long ago, and who hasn't said I'm beautiful in just as long. It opened a deep wound, but validated it at the same time.

And that brings me to this book, Captivating. This book is for me, a woman. This is my Wild at Heart. I have already cried, sobbed really, over my wounds finally being brought to the light. Finally, someone, a man, has finally said, "Women have been wronged. You have been told a lie, and convinced that it was truth. You see we have been haunted by a question too. We need to know, "Am I lovely?" The problem is that so many of us have been told "No." When Daddys tell us to go away when we twirl in our dresses, or mothers say, "You're getting chubby." When boyfriends break up with us and start dating someone we perceive as "prettier and thinner".

I bought the book on Saturday, it is now Wednesday and I've only got about 3 chapters to go. And so much of me is finally being released. So much of the lies that I believed are finally being countered with the Truth, God's word about who I really am. That I was created to be feminine, to reflect the glory of the Lord in a way that no other part of creation (including man) can.

I highly recommend this book to men and women. Just as I read Wild at Heart and gained so much. I pray that not only will women read this book and find healing for their wounded hearts, but that men will choose to read it and learn how they can affirm the women in their lives (mothers, sisters, girlfriends, wives, and girl friends). Just as I learned about the damage women do, how we sin against our brothers in Christ, in what we say and do that tears down their knowledge of their masculinity; I desperately desire for men to take this opportunity to learn about the damage they do, the things that cause us to doubt, run from, or fear our femininity.

In all honesty I think they are like Part 1 and Part 2. I think they both need to be part of everyone's library. I know that God desires that His people be healed, free, at peace with who He created them to be - in His image. I pray that many more men will find their true masculinity, and many more women will find their true femininity, because God created those traits in us and called them "good"! He is delighted in us, and wants us to reflect His character in the unique ways that each gender can. He wants us to know His strength, power, protection, and passion to fight for us - which He designed in the character of men - it is woven into the fabric of their nature. And He wants us to know His beauty, nurturing, life-giving, and constant care - which he designed in the character of women - it is woven into the fabric of our nature!