On Being Romanced.....

I didn't want to read Ch.7 - I took one look at the title "Romanced" and pretty much slammed the door on any further discoveries in the "Captivating" adventure. Up until this point, I was open and willing to embrace the exploration and sometimes painful moments of discovering my own heart. But in no way was i going to indulge in the whole romantic gook. My teen years were over and romance was highly over rated and under evident. Because, to put it frankly, men in general are not romantic. We are. Our female hearts are head over heels for the whole "hero" and rescue operation. So what's the sense. Cause if I have to be the "bigger person" and spell it out then that right there is SO not romantic ! DUH!

So whatever Ch.7 held .... I could do without. I didn't need another reminder of how things are NOT going to be; ever.

But I couldn't help myself.

I have been growing much closer in the Lord and learning how to take my heart to Him first. Learning how to trust Him - because if anyone ever will be trustworthy it will be Him.

And I'm sure it was His gentle touch, His encouraging voice, His knowing smile that led me to open the book again and take a deep breath and advance. I thought to myself "ok Sherry, just get through it - that's all you have to do"

But oh how He knew. This was the chapter I needed most.

Read this:

"Every song you love, every memory you cherish, every moment that has moved you to holy tears has been given to you from the One who has been pursuing you from your first breath in order to win your heart. God's version of flowers and chocolates and candlelight dinners comes in the form of sunsets and falling stars, moonlight on lakes and cricket symphonies; warm wind, swaying trees, lush gardens, and fierce devotion."

And just like that, six pages into the chapter, the dam broke.

"It will be as if it has been scripted for your heart. He knows what takes your breath away, knows hat makes your heart beat faster. We have missed many of his notes simply because we shut our hearts down in order to endure the pain of life...... we must choose to open our hearts again so that we might hear his whispers, receive his kisses."

Through tears, I was overwhelmed with the realization and it was if a train was rushing by me and on the side of each car was a picture of the treasures in my heart but now I saw them clearly. Not selfishly or in fear of when .... when was God going to take this from me too. But with the fall down on my knees and weep for the fact that He gave each one to me specifically because he loved me. Isn't that what our hearts cry out for ? As a woman, what we want most of all is to be known and loved specifically because of and for who we are. Not for what we do or give to those in our lives. Not for what others can get out of us. But for who we are in the deepest, truest parts. And we don't want to have to stifle it because we are "too much" and yet "not enough".

God loves me just that way. And that is how my "romance" cup can be filled.

And each day now I'm seeing the "moments" in a whole new way. They are more precious than ever before. And I'm not crying inside because I am so afraid that whatever it is will be taken away as seems to have been the theme of my childish heart. The tears are tears of overwhelming joy because now i recognize it as His touch, His kiss, His embrace, His stamp of utter approval for who He created me to be!!!

"The culture of women in the church today is crippled by some very pervasive lies. To be spiritual is to be busy. To be spiritual is to be disciplined. To be spiritual is to be dutiful. No, to be spiritual is to be in a Romance with God. The desire to be romanced lies deep in the heart of every woman. It is for such that you were made. And you are romanced, and ever will be."

I pray I never forget the life changing blessing of Ch.7 and I pray that you discover these truths for yourself and that you too will be Doubley Blessed today :)