• Blog
  • Meet Stephanie
  • Writings
  • Blind Dating
  • Speaking
  • Book Club
  • Archives
  • Get in Touch

Stephanie Rische

Blogger and Writer: Capturing Stories of God's Grace

January 14, 2012

The Grace of the Tarzan Skirt

Call it shallow, call it being female, but I can’t help but notice as I read Genesis that God was the designer of the very first outfit.

Thanks to those illustrated Bible storybooks I read as a kid, I always picture Eve with a furry Tarzan look—one shoulder covered, the other bare, a tasteful belt around her waist. I just never really thought about where the outfit came from.

But this time as I read the account of Paradise Lost, something new hit my fashion sensibilities. The first line of clothing in the brand-new world, it turns out, was preceded by its first bloodshed.

Back when things were perfect, Adam and Eve were on vegetarian diet (Genesis 1:29), which meant no cows or chickens had kicked the bucket for sake of supper. And presumably, since things were perfect, no one—human or animal—had died for any other reason. But once Adam and Eve caved to temptation, God’s promise that death would ensue (Genesis 3:3) went into effect immediately.

When I think about that heart-wrenching scene when God calls the first couple on their sin, I typically think about the curse part of it: enmity with the snake, pain in childbirth, toil in labor, to every generation hence, thankyouverymuch, Eve.

But just after the curse is pronounced, there’s this little grace note I’ve overlooked in the past: “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife” (Genesis 3:21). God gave them clothes, a covering for their nakedness and shame. But before he could do that, there had to be a sacrifice. Blood had to be shed.

And in this AD era, so it is for us. God has provided a permanent covering for our sin. But a sacrifice was necessary; bloodshed was required. And we, the guilty ones, find ourselves clothed.

When God stitches the garment, he threads his needle with grace.

I’ve taken the challenge of reading the Bible chronologically this year and tracing the thread of grace through it. These musings are prompted by my reading. I’d love to have you join me: One Year Bible reading plan.

10 Comments Filed Under: Grace Tagged With: Genesis, sacrifice, sin
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on email
Email
Share on twitter
Twitter

About Stephanie

I think that glimmers of grace are all around us, and I'd love to share those stories with you. I hope you'll grab a cup of coffee and join me at StephanieRische.com.

Quote of the Week

“Some things have to be believed to be seen.”
—Madeleine L’Engle

Discussion

  1. alice Teisan says

    January 15, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    Your starting your blog with the same signature Spurgeon had in every sermon-giving the message of salvation. I see a book coming out 🙂

    Reply
    • Stephanie Rische says

      January 16, 2012 at 8:10 am

      Thanks, Alice! But I’m pretty sure our friend Spurgeon is way out of my league…and he wouldn’t cite Lady Gaga. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Luann says

    January 15, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    Great insight, Stephanie. Very well said!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Rische says

      January 16, 2012 at 8:10 am

      Thanks, Lu–and thanks for always being my writing encourager.

      Reply
  3. Nancy Rische says

    January 15, 2012 at 10:04 pm

    God is always teaching us something. It is up to us to learn. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, Nancy

    Reply
    • Stephanie Rische says

      January 16, 2012 at 8:11 am

      Thanks, Mom Nancy! I’ve joined the family blogging ranks. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Mom says

    January 17, 2012 at 8:58 am

    I am SOOOO EXCITED to know that you are reading through the Bible chronologically again! It will be FANTABULOUS to learn from you as you share your insights with us in beautiful Stephanie style!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Rische says

      January 17, 2012 at 12:07 pm

      Thanks, Mom! You are totally my inspiration for reading the Bible. 🙂

      Reply
  5. tiffanie says

    January 17, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    i search high and low for stephanie articles. now i know where to find them. this is great! love your clever insights.

    Reply
    • Stephanie Rische says

      January 18, 2012 at 8:04 am

      Aww, thanks, Tiffie! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

welcome_stephanie_rische

Welcome!

I’m so glad you stopped by. I hope you will find this to be a place where the coffee’s always hot, there’s always a listening ear, and there’s grace enough to share.
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Personal Delivery

Sign up here to have every new post, special newsletters, and book club news delivered straight to your inbox. (No carrier pigeons will be harmed in this delivery.)

Free eBook

20 Days of Prayers...just for you!
Submit your email to receive a FREE copy!

    Recently

    • Grandma’s Story
    • What Love Smells Like
    • Threenager Summer
    • Elastigirl Arms
    • On Savoring

    Book Club

    • August 2018
    • July 2017
    • April 2017
    • November 2016
    • August 2016
    • March 2016
    • March 2016
    • December 2015
    • September 2015
    • July 2015
    • May 2015
    • January 2015

    Favorite Categories

    • Friday Favorites
    • Grace
    • Literature
    • Scripture Reflections
    • Writing

    Other Places to Find Me

    • Faith Happenings
    • CT Women
    • Boundless
    • Single Matters

    Connect With Me

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest

    All Content © 2010-2014 by Stephanie Rische • Blog Design & Development by Sarah Parisi of Parisi Images • Additional Site Credits