Little Details

There is simply so much there...the options for study and thought are endless. My mind is full of a zillion possible paths for discovery today. I've read the first chapters of Genesis more times than I could count. But I missed it. I'm not sure I have ever read those chapters looking for the emotions. And there it is...shame. As I was getting ready this morning thinking more about shame I asked God about where the scriptures talk about it and he began filling my mind with times when the disciples avoid obedience because they feel too small, or not enough. And then my mind flashed to the beginning Adam and Eve.

In looking at several versions of the first chapters a few things started to jump out and my fingers were flying to start making notes of the questions and thoughts buzzing through my mind. In skimming through the NIV, NLT, NKJ, NAS the first actually named feeling word is "ashamed". Feelings are alluded to prior to that but almost all the words are reporting facts and actions and events. Genesis 2:25 is the first clear statement about the emotions occurring in Adam and Eve. What's strange about this first emotion statement is that it's used as a contrast. The emotion of shame is NOT being experienced is what verse 25 says. God is describing the emotions that Adam and Eve are experiencing by saying they do not feel shame. In a literary way it's using the opposite of what they feel as a way of helping the reader understand what they do feel. But since I hardly understand what shame is, since we as a culture have ignored this emotion, in an attempt to deal with it, the contrast is lost on me. Whereas if it said, "They felt no sadness." I think oh yeah, I get it, I know how that feels. But shame being so foreign to me I really don't get it. So I've missed it, despite having read it many times, I avoided what I don't understand.

What is not ashamed? Do they feel whole, peaceful, connected and complete? Brene Brown formulates the definition of shame as:

Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing we are flawed and therefore unworthy of acceptance and belonging. (I Thought It Was Just Me)

Perhaps they felt accepting of themselves, of each other and like they belonged both within their relationships and environment. They maybe felt a connection to God to each other and a peace with their humanity. And we know that at this moment in the scripture things are as God intended. Emotions, relationships, communication, sin has not yet destroyed the beautiful balance. This is a state that God must want for me.