By: John & Stasi Eldredge
Some books come into your life and quietly rearrange things inside you. Captivating not only rearranged it, it woke something up. This wasn’t just another âChristian self-help for womenâ book. This felt like a heart check and a spiritual reminder that God didnât just create me to survive motherhood, marriage, or mayhem- He created me to live fully as a woman deeply known, deeply loved, and fiercely pursued.
What it’s About
Captivating dives into the feminine heart, not the Instagrammable version, but the real one. The one that longs to be: seen, fought for, cherished.
John and Stasi break down how women are uniquely designed to reflect parts of Godâs character- beauty, mystery, nurturing, strength, and how the wounds we carry often bury those gifts beneath shame, comparison, and exhaustion.
This isnât a book about being the ‘perfect woman’. No, this is about healing, reclaiming our identity, and walking with God not as robots or workhorses, but as His beloved daughters, with wild hearts and tender strength.
đ Why It Hit Me So Hard
As a wife, a mom of boys, and a woman constantly trying to balance all the things, this book made me pause and breathe. Somewhere between folding laundry, washing dishes, cooking meals, and trying to be everything for everyone, I forgot that God delights in me, not just in what I do.
Stasi’s words reminded me that:
- I donât have to harden myself to survive
- My desire to be pursued is not weakness, itâs divine design
- My softness, emotion, intuition, and deep love are not liabilitiesm- they’re sacred
It felt like someone finally gave me permission to say, âI miss that girl I used to be,â and then handed me the tools to go find her again, with Jesus leading the way.
đ§ Final Thoughts
Captivating isnât a fluffy read- itâs a deep dive into your heart, your story, and your wounds. But itâs also gentle. Stasi writes like a big sister who knows the road youâve walked and wants to point you back to the One who never stopped pursuing you.
If youâve ever felt unseen, unworthy, worn out, or unsure of who you are as a woman in the chaos of daily life, read this. And read it slowly. Let it remind you that you were made for more.. and that youâre already wildly loved.
Want to read it with me? Letâs do a mini book club or a blog reflection series. Because this oneâs too good to read and shelve. Itâs a book worth unpacking together. đ
Mai Household Mayhem 