Looking around these days, I realised that women are having few people to look up to that would model what is classy and dignified femininity. Class was replaced by crass and it saddens me. I am still hoping I will have a daughter eventually and I want her to have good women examples to follow. I was delighted to discover Leslie Ludy’s books that geared toward Christ-centered femininity.
I have read a Leslie Ludy book that she wrote her husband, Eric Ludy entitled When God Writes Your Love Story. It is a great book for single women. I highly recommend you read it before choosing a husband. Now, I discovered 3 more of her books focusing on introducing young ladies in a lifestyle that is set-apart from the usual modern women of today. The books are heavily centered on creating a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and developing a lifestyle that is pleasing to God. Maybe many women will find it too intense or will be turned off by the emphasis on Christian spirituality. I know in the modern society of today that mentioning God in our sentences can come off as old-fashioned or uncool. I have to admit that I am also embarrassed of talking too much about my faith of fear of coming off too intense, too spiritual or even a hypocrite. But being a product of an-all-girls Catholic school, Leslie Ludy’s words spoke to me. And I realised its importance in the world today. I would want my daughter(s) to read her books. I want them to seek Jesus first before seeking romantic relationships.
I believe her 3 books, Authentic Beauty, The Set-Apart Femininity and The Set-Apart Woman are like a trilogy. You start with Authentic Beauty then The Set-Apart Femininity then The Set-Apart Woman.
THE AUTHENTIC BEAUTY
This is my favourite among the 3. It is best to start with this book. It is the shaping of the set-apart woman. Women love to be like princesses and hopes to find their prince. In this book, Leslie illustrates that we are all princesses and our ultimate Prince is Jesus Christ. People shouldn’t misunderstand this in a perverse manner but rather an initimate spiritual relationship with the one True Prince, Jesus Christ. She wrote, “an ongoing, passionate romance with our True Prince is the foundation for success in every other area of our life.” Women are guilty for obsessing in looking for Mr. Right. So we flirt, we compromise our ideals, we get desperate. But we didn’t realise that men can never fulfil all the yearnings of love we want. Even if you got the nearly perfect man for your husband, it will never give you all the love you are searching for. “Only when we fall i love with Jesus Christ and build our lives completely around Him can experience human love and romance in its purest and most beautiful form.“. This is a powerful message for the young generation of today.
THE SET-APART FEMININITY
After introducing the set-apart lifestyle, in this book, Leslie urged women for a radical concept that is contrary to the modern lifestyle by leading life that is God’s sacred intent for every young woman. It delve deeper in how to achieve their heroic type of femininity by how you relate to men, the direction of your life, aligning your daily existence with God’s priorities, etc. Leslie shares a lot of stories of women living a set-apart lives. I am impressed that there are people who conduct themselves in such a way that in Catholic Church would regards as saints or martyrs. Of course, there will still be a daily struggle until death since we all are human and imperfect.
THE SET-APART WOMAN
This book is like a review on the first two books. Each chapter starts with verses from the Bible or a Christian book then it ends with a call to action for discussion and personal reflection. Each chapter reiterates God’s invitation to sacred living. It shows you how to cultivate Christ-honoring daily habits, trade unfulfilling distractions, and overcome fear.
I will be keeping these books to give to (I hope) my daughter(s). I am hoping to grab one of Leslie Ludy’s books, The Set-Apart Motherhood. She also have a monthly online magazine, The Set-Apart Girl.
