Am I captivating?

John and Stasi Eldredge really know their stuff. In their book, Captivating: Unveiling the Mysteries of a Woman's Soul, they do...well, just that. They explore and describe what it means to be a woman: feminine and beautiful, and how we as women relate to the rest of the world, and more particularly, men. Though I could go on and on about how fabulous it is, and how accurately they portray a woman's soul...I will only say that reading it has rocked my world and made me realize things about myself that I never even thought about. John and Stasi say that both men and women, by their lives and actions, ask a question (of God and of people around us) that seeks the answer to the deepest longings of their hearts. For men, (as elaborated upon in Wild at Heart), the question is "Am I strong enough?" or "Do I have what it takes?" But for women, the question is "Do you find me beautiful...do you delight in me?"..."Am I captivating?" I would go into all the beautifully accurate, true reasoning behind these questions...but I would recommend reading the book instead of listening to my version of it...anyway.

As I have become aware of this question in my heart and daily life, I have begun to notice the answers I receive from those around me. A door held open for me is a "yes". A hand held out for me to hold is a "yes". A good listener with an open and accepting heart is a "yes". Even a quiet, friendly, one-armed hug is for me a HUGE "yes!" These gestures of compassion in my life speak to my soul as a woman. They say "Yes! You are a beautiful woman, created with dignity and priceless worth. You captivate me, and I cherish you." This message, sent to me so often through the good people in my life, is sent through them from my God Himself. He is speaking a love language to me that I have never recognized before. And its changing my life. I want to thank all those around me, who let God communicate His love through them. This last year, especially in the last couple of days, you helped answer my question. For that I am so grateful!

So how do you ask your question? How does God answer it in the people around you?
Peace and grace to you!