So lately I’ve really been wanting to get into my word differently.  Not just randomly ya know? I mean, nothing wrong with that but I just want more.  I’m hungry.  I don’t mind bouncing around and re-reading this chapter and going back to that book, but it seems like it would all just stick differently after having read the entire thing.  I’ve never read the entire bible.  I’ve attempted many times, but just never seemed to complete the task.  I would all of a sudden get bored of some parts, couldn’t follow others as well out of sequence, or come across a certain book of the bible that just was not an easy read for me.  I know there are supplements and chronological bibles, and different versions…but I wanted something really suited for me, not just another suggestion that sounds up my alley, ya know?  You know those bible in a year plans?  Yea, it’s like I start, doing well, and then I take a detour.  Remember that movie, “A Bug’s Life”?  All of this reminds me of that part where the bug is flying and then loses focus because it’s attracted to the light and gets zapped lol.  Yup, I’m sick of getting zapped.

Hmm…maybe the free spirit in me just doesn’t have an appreciation for the “helpful” guide telling me to read these 3 chapters in Daniel on Tuesday when maybe I feel like reading James this Tuesday.  I spiced it up a bit and now I’m off the plan lol.  I can only do monotony in moderation.  All that being said…*drumroll*….I’ve began reading “The Story” by Max Lucado & Randy Frazee.  It’s just that too…a chronological bible in the form of a story.  Yes! I hope I’ve found a winner.

So in The Story, like the bible it starts with the beginning (Genesis) when God created the heavens, the earth, Adam and all that good stuff.  All of a sudden I became fascinated with this fact that I’ve known for years.  Fascinated with how beautiful it was for a woman to be created from such an awesome part of the man’s body that indeed does help and support, as us women are built and purposed to do for our husbands.  I love the picture that it paints.

“But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.”

As many of you probably know, the ribs surround the chest and in turn protect the body’s heart, lungs, and internal organs.  That’s a lot! Like the ribs, wives aid and protect their husbands in often the most gentle of ways.  His lungs which give him breath to live…and his heart, the origin of all matters of his being.  If those organs aren’t intact, neither is he. If he’s our leader and he’s not intact, shoot, neither are we.  That’s “one”.  That’s a great responsibility.  To be called a wife or a husband is such a high calling that I think gets taken way too lightly.  It’s never to early or late to start praying for your spouse.  You love them, right?  Prayer is the most loving thing you can do.  It covers a multitude.

Now, I was married years ago…yea yea yea but I don’t even feel like it.  I mean I recognize that it was big and it’s definitely one of those things that I would talk about in it’s entirety with my future husband, but It’s really like a childhood memory now, in the past.  I’m just sooo different from that girl back then, I’ve been single longer than I was ever married, and that ending was one of the best things that ever happened to me.  It brought me back to my first love appropriately and I began transforming and growing as I moved forward.  I’m new.  If you’ve ever moved forward, then you know very well that moving forward requires that you don’t look back.  God’s funny though, because then he’ll “bring you back” just to show you that you’ve moved forward.  So sweet, I love it.

But back to the rib.  So the rib is this super great part with a great role, right? but the fascinating part was that God created more than just a rib.  God created and entire being of it’s own.  A beautifully made woman perfectly suited.  I can see God now molding and shaping all the curves inside and out.  She went from good to great in His hands.  I’m sure Adam woke up like “heeeey” haha.  In the words of my best friend “Get you some of that” lol.

At my church, a man who desires and is looking for a wife is jokingly said to be “looking for a rib” haha. And so, whenever a guy is interested in me that I have no interest in, I jokingly say to myself, “Uh uh…I ain’t your rib!” We will not be making eye contact. You better pay attention to the sermon! lol…really though.

Now I’m no expert, but I do have pretty good relationship experience.  In thinking of how wonderful a man and a woman are apart, I can’t help but think about the beauty in them being together.  So here’s a “Rib Tip” If I may for singles like myself…

Fellas — If you want a good rib, I recommend you be a good and faithful steward and gardener in the small areas.  Take care of all that the Lord has already blessed you with.  While you do have to pursue and make your presence known, if she’s a wise woman you don’t have to try hard to get noticed.  A wise woman is not easily fooled and sees what matters.  It’s your choice to make that work for you or against you.  If she’s interested, I hope she’s praying for you.  If you’ve already found your soon to be rib, awesome!  Remember that loving her is truly loving yourself.  If you’re garbage, so is she.  If you don’t have it together, don’t expect her to either.

Ladies — The bible said a man findeth a wife, so if you’re looking for a man (or wearing nothing to get his attention), cut that out.  You are who you attract.  I don’t believe looking for him is your job.  Eve didn’t choose Adam, God chose Eve for Adam.  Let your man receive from the Lord on who his wife is.  Hold on to that truth…he’ll come.  And truthfully, who knows, he might already be there and you not realize it.  Some of the best relationships begin as friendships.  Pray that he finds you in God’s timing and that you are both prepared when he does.  Focus on loving the everlasting man you already have and should be your world, Jesus.  If you’re in a relationship, stay honest with yourself and your partner.  The second you recognize you’re not his rib, save the heartache and end it. It can turn into mess that God won’t bless.  Some days it’s annoying and you want your fairy tale prince to hurry up and awaken you from your slumber, I know.  But that’s not real, and you don’t want anything half-baked.  Easier said than done but just keep praying, sitting pretty, loving God, and loving people.  Forever is a long time – that’s how long you want with him, right? Well I promise this wait won’t be as long.  I love you and I’m praying for us.  Have a blessed day! 🙂