Dear Eve, Mother of Man

Today I was chatting with a pregnant friend about possible baby names for her awaited little girl. She said she has recently considered "Eve" but wasn't set on it. Despite our understanding of Eve's essential role in the progress of man the rest of Christianity views her as having made a terrible mistake.

It brought to mind another recent instance where a FB friend of mine had posted that the life of Eve is an encouragement to her. She then went on to say that she, "can relate to a woman who has really made a mess of things," and that "God uses the life of Eve to remind us that we all make mistakes and are broken and wounded people." My first thought was, "how sad!"

Eve was a glorious, strong woman, willing to make a choice that would remove her and Adam from their idealic life. Making the choice to give them the opportunity for progress. To finally know pain, but to also know true joy. To play a role in a plan to bring all of us to this earth to be challenged and grow.

Other faiths don't understand the necessity of her choice. They don't respect her for the decision. It's sad that her name may be associated with "mistakes" and "broken." From my heart, I say, thank you. Thank you for your strength. For your love of our Heavenly Father. For choosing a life that may not have been easy, but was worth it.