Most of you know the story. God created Adam. He was in a beautiful garden, with the first automatic watering system. He could eat from every tree freely EXCEPT the one that allowed him to know good & evil. If he so much as sampled that one, it was a death sentence! God decided Adam was lonely…put him to sleep…took a rib, and made a woman. Adam named her Woman (because she was taken out of man.) They had no sin, they had no clothes, they had no shame. Along come the serpent-who beguiles the woman. The woman REALLY doesn’t like that she’s been told she can’t do something. The tree they’re discussing looks lovely, AND it would make her wise…so even though it was clearly against the rules-she decides to do it anyway. (Perhaps you wondered where that initially started.) In this case, she eats the “apple”(not sure what kind of fruit it was)-shares it with her man (well, he was the only man around) who also eats of it, perhaps starting the real reason guys think we are conniving, and manipulating, and…beguiling.
But when they ate of that tree? That changed everything for them…for us…and so begins the pain. And shame. And the need for clothes…or the fact that one should feel the need to wear clothes. (I am curious how that need seems to have bypassed so many, these days.) Something else changed, then, as well.
Have you ever worked in a garden? I personally love the smell of fresh dirt, the feel of rich soil, the tender new growth peeking out from the ground after you water it, and give it care. But it’s hot. And buggy. And dirty. And a lot of work! Before the FALL, the garden sounds like it wasn’t hard work at all. And, childbirth didn’t hurt yet. Can you imagine??? Both produce such beautiful results, but pain free? Well, that does seem like the stuff of dreams, for sure. But, if you’ve ever had the experience-you know the “pain” of working in a garden brings beautiful, vibrant flowers-or veggies-or ivy (or whatever you’ve planted), and when having a baby, the pain produces the most amazing little (or in my case 10lb) bundle of joy that changes every single thing in your life, from that point on. I am incredibly thankful for our two sons, and am happy to report both did not weigh the same. 🙂
I also know many women who yearn(ed) to experience childbirth and are/were not able, so I acknowledge you, as well. Our blood makes us family by birth, but our hearts choose our family from that point on. I am blessed and so grateful to have more than one family. The world is full of love if you allow yourself to let that in. The reason for the apple highlighted in this blog? The apple in the picture was my grandma’s cookie jar. It is a beautiful reminder to me of blood family. It’s old, and scarred, and holds irreplaceable memories of the bright white farmhouse kitchen, bright red curtains, and equally bright yellow stool near the table. The memory connection is better explained in the post “Our Past. Our now. What’s the connection?” The childhood memories are dear, and hold a special place in my heart. She was my grandma. My dad’s mom. I am my boy’s mom. My own mom went to heaven six years ago, but for my sister and I? The memories we share are priceless. I hope my boys feel the same. If they are good ones, I’m sure your family treasures the memories you’ve shared, as well. Isn’t that what mom’s do? Create memories? It’s a “woman” thing. We are often the glue that holds the bandages on life’s little trials, or the super glue for repairing the big ones. Our smile is able to calm whatever storm may be brewing or blowing. Our arms can wrap up someone’s day as if we’re a bow, and make it all better.
Do we lose our charm if the housework is shared? Or there’s a helping hand in the kitchen? Is the family structure lost entirely if we have (or choose) to work? What if there’s sickness? I know for a fact that there is a special grace given to a household when sickness keeps a parent from being able to do all they’d like. Sometimes a mom has to miss out on special occasions, when she is unable to take part. Sometimes the dad IS the mom. Either way, I see you. Mom, teacher, single parent…woman…you are so special. Yes, we’ve been trying to get our fruit in-every day from the beginning, but the pain that followed is never in vain. Every single thing we go through is worth it. Every trial that comes our way has a reason, and a lesson. Every thing that happens is all working together for good, and in everything is a reason to be grateful. And get better.
Are you a mom? There is nothing in this world like it. Are you a daughter? That position can be filled by no one else. Are you a wife? Be the best friend, first. Sister? Coworker? Friend? Each place and season is like no other, and each is a chance to embrace the circumstances, and look for the good. Have you lived? Share the lessons learned with love, and be a teacher of good things. Are the years showing in your appearance? Age gracefully. It’s ok not to be young forever-but it’s not ok to wish away the time we have now, for what will never come again. Though we may not always have a smile-we can have joy in every season. Sometimes that means we smile through the tears, even if we feel crushed by the disappointments. Have you been crushed by something? Have you been watering your dreams?
The gardening we discussed earlier brings flowers to mind. I love colorful flowers! I’m not really a fan of roses, and not everyone enjoys the smell of flowers, but this illustration remains: Have you ever breathed in the scent of a rose? Sometimes you can only smell it faintly. But…a crushed rose petal? It fills the air, and makes a heady impression, unlike the still-beautiful rose-untouched by the storm, or the disease, or the unkind hand. The more you’ve gone through, the more your fragrance stands out.
Always remember, there is no one like you. Your fingerprint is your own. Your smile shines through your eyes, and brightens the room. And, if you’re feeling crushed and bruised? You are not alone.
Have faith. Big faith, today. You are WOMAN. You are making more of an impact than you know. You are strong. You are unique. You are beautiful, and you give others permission to do-and be-the same.
#RICH #TheRichWay
Plus-sized faith today, 
Donnarae
