Over the last few weeks, since passing my certification exam (hurrah!!) I’ve been able to take time to find more balance, more of a healthy rhythm of rest and work. On December 31st, I took a day to head to Tacoma—exploring new places is something that rejuvenates and refocuses me. I did the cursory reflection of 2014, but I also wanted to look ahead—I knew that after this insanely academic year, I needed to fight for balance. I’m not much of a resolution, more of a thematic thinker when it comes to new seasons and goals. Earlier in the week I had read the book of Philippians and it was one of those sweet times where the words leapt off the page. Paul’s letter was so fitting for this new season of no school and new jobs. I am definitely extroverted, and 2014 was a weird year of focusing on school and work and studying—not much time for authentic relationship building and growing. Paul calls the church to “look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” and to “shine as lights”. This past Sunday I co-led my first girls group for my church, ages 9-13. Each of those girls are so unique and gifted, and I can’t wait to see how they grow—I am humbled to be a part of it.
Another theme in Paul’s letter to the people Phillipi is the that of holding onto and standing firm in the faith. He calls them to hold fast to the word of life, hold true to what has been obtained, and to stand firm in the Lord. Admittedly, my Bible was pretty dust covered last year—thousands of pages of textbooks and articles filled my reading and calendar. Again, my hope is to find balance this year in my reading habits.
Those are things I want to center life on this year—remembering that it is God who works in me, to will and to work for His good pleasure. It is often in hindsight that I see how he has worked and brought me to where I am today. In light of that, I’ve also been reading a lot of biographies lately—I am so drawn to learning about others’ lives—what made them tick? What were pivotal situations in their life? Who impacted them and changed them?
On that note, I recently finished “The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller. Initially, I was embarrassed to admit that—afraid of the “oh that’s cute, of course you would like her—with your hearing loss and all” which is a backhanded dis to an incredible lady. Helen Keller has become somewhat of a punchline in recent years, which is so unfortunate, disrespectful, and does such a disservice to who she was and what she accomplished. She didn’t let her disability, caused by an illness in infancy, shrink her life—she learned to speak, she loved to row and ride horses! What was so remarkable to me was the fact that her writing contains so many visual descriptions—something she partly credits to her teacher, Anne Sullivan, who acted like a visual narrator. In every situation she would describe not just what was spoken; but the manner, the setting, the environment. She went to college, and wrote with a confidence that recognized she was unique and had a voice that needed to be heard. I was astonished by her acceptance and lack of bitterness in her writing—she obviously did have pains, but as she articulated “…my tongue will not utter the bitter, futile words that rise to my lips, and they fall back into my heart like unshed tears. Silence sits immense upon my soul. Then come hope with a smile and whispers, “There is joy in self-forgetfulness” so I try to make the light in others’ eyes my sun, the music in others’ ears my symphony, the smile on others’ lips my happiness” (p. 142). Helen Keller is a model of living “above the circumstances, not under them”.
There is so much wisdom to be gleaned from the lives before and around me. I hope that this year I continue to grow in my love of God and others.
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