"I have seen paradise and ruin. I have known bliss and terror. I have walked with God."


This is the first sentence of the book. The book that I just finished reading. The book that literally has turned my world upside down.
Very rarely do I read a good book that challenges my thoughts, my intellect, and my spiritual life. This book has fulfilled these things and more. The book is called "Havah: The story of Eve." 


I'm not going to explain the story to you. Many already know it; the story of creation, Adam & Eve, the fall, and so on. But for many that story was described to us as children in a Sunday school room. It was simplified for us, and yet it became a base for our beliefs. Think, however, of how weak a base it is if you do not fully understand the complexity and passion and terror of that story. 


This book didn't tell me a new story; it built on one I already knew by heart. But it added depth and romance, intrigue and love, fear and agonizing horror to the seemingly simple story. 


It was the first time I cried while reading a book. 


That is not normal; I never ever cry from a book. They usually touch me, yes. Maybe bring a single tear to my eye. But never a flat out, half hour, curl up on the floor, cry. 
Why did I feel so strongly you may think? How could a book possibly bring so much emotion to the surface? 


Maybe it was because it dragged up fears in me I thought would never resurface. Maybe it was because I was grieving for the world and the fallen broken hopelessness of it all. Maybe it was because I truly felt the love and care and realness of God, the Father, tugging at my heart and telling me it was alright to give in to my fears and worries. Maybe it was because at the end of the day all I really long for is for Jesus to hold me in His eternal arms and wipe away all the dirty grime of this life and restore me to my true beauty. 


Whatever it was, it broke me down. And I feel better than I have in many, many months. 
This book was a direct gift from God, specifically for me. And that is a stunning, exquisite thing. 


<3


Here is the link in case you are interested: http://www.toscalee.com/#/books/havah/