In The Beginning.....

I have a confession. I don't always understand what I read in the Bible. I know that I am like many others who open their Bible and think "what did I just read?" But then there are days that it just hits me. BAM! And it all makes sense. I've read the story of Adam & Eve many times. The ideas that stick with me from their story: they were the first to walk this earth. Eve was made out of one of Adam's ribs. They were oblivious to the fact that they were naked until they ate an apple that a snake persuaded them to eat. I hate snakes. And I'm not a real big fan of apples. I started reading a devotional on YouVersion called "She Reads Truth: Women In The Bible: Part 1" this morning. It makes sense that the first woman we'd read about is Eve. We focused on how she was made. The main points were: She was made in God's image (how cool is that?!). She was given God's blessing and favor. She was created for community (so that she may complement Adam). She was made from Adam's rib....and a quote that I absolutely LOVE from Matthew Henry that is a part of this devo about Eve is: "not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be EQUAL to him, under his arm to be PROTECTED, and near his heart to be BELOVED." That is one of my absolute FAVORITE quotes. Eve was created for harmony, not shame. God was pleased when he made her. He looked at her as his masterpiece. If you look deeper into this story and focus on the beginning and not the sin that she commits later, Eve was formed with delicate care. And we were formed just like her. I've never really thought about it before. I've always thought "Yeah, I was born. Whatever." But just like Eve, we were made by the loving hands of our Father. He took his time in putting us together. He knew exactly what He wanted us to look like. God created us in His own image. He created us with an intense love. I don't know about you, but I think that's awesome. And it makes me feel a deeper love for my Father in heaven. The One who took His precious time in creating me. The One who loved me enough to breathe life into my lungs. We take so much for granted. After reading this devotional, I feel like I have a new perspective on the beginning of life. Sometimes I forget that we are truly made in God's image. We are all blessings. We are put here on this earth at just the right time. God is good....All the time!