Her story:
Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. (Genesis 4:17)
That’s it in entirety.
Her wisdom on your behalf:
Her story is almost nonexistent. She’s almost nonexistent. One verse. Fifteen words that, in my opinion, change everything. Which is why I chose to devote a whole chapter to her in my book, Rewriting Eve. It’s also why I’ve included a portion of such for you here.
The mere existence of Cain’s Wife, even in a single sentence, reinforces the incontrovertible truth that on some psychic, mythic, magical, and deeply archetypal level, her presence could not, would not, be forgotten. It reassures us that no woman’s presence can be ignored—not for long, not ultimately, not really. We don’t need there to be more to her story to know that this singular mention gives credence, value, and worth to our story, our life, and that of all women throughout all of time. It’s as though she shouts, sings, and infinitely proclaims, “Look! I am here! I have survived this text! I have endured its tellers, its doctrine, its dogma, its frequent dismissal of (if not disdain for) women. I have lived, loved, and brought forth life. And never forget that I am here, still and always, with and for you.”
So, on days or even in seasons when you feel invisible, inconsequential, almost forgotten, remember that this could not be further from the truth. One single sentence and one solitary woman proves otherwise. Cain’s Wife calls you back to yourself, your significance, your very real and impossible-to-ignore presence, your place in this large and sweeping story—a story of which you are an integral and necessary part.
Though there’s so much more I could offer here, that Cain’s Wife offers, I hope you’ll spend time focused and reflecting on specifically what’s been named above:
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