A broken tulip

In the beginning, in a corner of the garden, You took blood and bone and formed woman.

You, the galaxy-breathing God, focused all Your attention and delight into the fashioning of a daughter.

 

You breathed into her – Your breath, the breath of life. Her eyes, uncurtained, opened to the face of love, the face of her Father.

 

You looked into her eyes, and You saw Yourself. You saw her radiate Your image and Your likeness.

 

Did You speak? What was that moment like?

Did Eve ever forget the delight burnt deep into Your eyes?

 

God of glory, Christ the Creating Word, Spirit of Wisdom, I am a daughter of Eve.

In the secret places of the womb You fashioned me.

I am a woman. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

 

So often I have sought my value in shifting lies, instead of in the divine hands that shaped me.

So often I have searched for satisfaction in faces, a stranger to the Love my mother Eve woke to.

So often I have wondered if You truly do care for me, if You value me, if being a woman means you despise me.

Forgive me, Father.

Send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me;

Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places.

Your dwelling places are lovely, O Lord my God.

May your truth bring me to them.

One thing I have desired; the nearness of my God.

One thing I have desired; to gaze on Your face.

Eve woke to see the face of her Father.

One day, I will see Your face, when I awake in Your likeness.

 

Let me awake in Your likeness.

 

Part one of a three-part prayer.