Jonalyn Grace Fincher’s book, Ruby Slippers, has proven to be a pioneer book on femininity and discovering the soul of a woman. I will be reading and re-reading this to contemplate the stimulating concepts that are presented. I must admit that my own perception of the feminine soul has been challenged.The first analogy that we examined was that of corsets. We layer our corsets so tight so that our soul begins to suffocate under the weight. Another striking analogy that Jonalyn utilizes is that of Grimm’s Cinderella. Unlike the Disney version, Grimm paints a picture of two step-sisters who cut off parts of their flesh to fit into shoes that were not meant for them. They had normal feet but demolished what they had to try to squeeze into shoes meant for Cinderella.
“Often the roles we play are like pinching shoes. In order to fit into some role, we squeeze ourselves, contort ourselves, even cut off part of ourselves. We accept these roles, and the contortions they sometimes demand, and we call it womanly, submissive even.”
Much like the step-sisters, we slice off parts of our soul to fit into the molds that we are expected to wear. We cut away crucial parts that God intends for us to grow and use. What we don’t realize is that while we fit into the shoes, our souls are bleeding. Why do we accept this as a necessary part of femininity without going to the One who created us to find out what He expects?
God created each woman unique. When we chisel away what He gave us, we are limiting ourselves to the narrowminded expectations of society. I think its a sad commentary that we are satisfied with the shoes that are handed to us and we struggle to fit outselves into them without asking God what He wants for us. How unfulfilled our lives become! We must toss the corsets and man-made shoes to lay ourselves bare before the all-loving God who knows us…really knows us. But, this is so scary! Who are we without our corsets and tight shoes? Do we dare expose ourselves for who we are?
We must remove human opinion from its pedestal. We must regard God’s opinion as the basis for our femininity. I love how Jonalyn puts it: “It’s time to remove these stifling shoes and corsets so we can walk closer to Christ.”
March 9, 2008 at 10:08 pm
It is so thrilling for me to see how you’ve embraced the freedom God’s given women to walk with him in “shoes” that were made for us.
March 10, 2008 at 11:59 pm
You’re going to hear a lot more from Jonalyn. She’s a voice crying in the wilderness of a younger generation that desperately needs to find their identity outside the traditional contortions of bias and confusion. Like John the Baptist she may be misunderstood or dismissed but those with open minds and spirits may find that one size does not fit all. The Truth does not restrict but sets us free to be all God has designed us to be.
March 12, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Jonalyn, thanks for the comment :-)I am starting my second reading and this time I plan on analyzing it from a new perspective. I look forward to any future books you may write!
Angela C,
I agree that this book may be misunderstood by some and I have to go back through to see if I could have misunderstood any parts of it myself. I think its easier when the forms are set for us and we do not question, but Christ wants us to come to the Bible with an open mind so we can see how much more He has for us than our roles and do-this-don’t-do-that lists. Thanks for the comment and please stop by anytime!
April 6, 2008 at 11:34 pm
That is so true, and wonderfully put.
God has designed us to live in the freedom and abundance given by his grace, yet so many times we limit ourselves to the trappings of expectations.
I just added a new book to my wish list!
April 8, 2008 at 8:40 pm
kaybaylor,
Thanks for the comment! You are right, we do limit ourselves to human expectations rather than recognizing who we are in Christ. This is a great book to read, pick apart, and reflect upon. Thanks again!