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The
Pink Room: Thoughts About Intentional Living
Chapter
14/ Beauty from Ashes and Singleness.
Part
1 (Previous post contain the previous chapters.)
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As
a gift, a friend wanted to give her daughter a book of letters. All of them
written by women in her life. She was hoping that they were filled with their years
of wisdom. Here is my letter:
Your
mom asked a few of us to write down some wisdom. What we wish we had been told
as a young woman around the time of entering high school. I’ve been a Christian
since I can remember but serious about my faith since about age fifteen. I’ve been
blessed with a close family and a few great friends. A good foundation is
helpful but perspective, wisdom and an open heart toward God, through prayer,
are the things that keep you going. I’m writing what I’ve known and how it has
been tweaked through maturity and a lived-out faith.
·
I
used to believe I was cute, but I’ve learned I am beautiful inside, in the ways
that are important—a life of purity, a desire to serve God and a heart that
wants to encourage downtrodden people.
·
I
used to believe I was smart, but I’ve learned I’m intelligent--but it only
matters to me that I’m thoughtful.
·
I
used to believe that I was unique, but I’ve learned that individuality just
means I’m a leader—I’ve also learned that leaders are often lonely so I need to
take extra good care of myself and connect with people.
·
I
used to believe I was observant, but I’ve learned that I’m able to really know
people and I care about them—I’ve learned that noticing small things opens
doors for the Holy Spirit, too.
·
I
used to believe I was introverted, but I now know I’m introspective and
reflective—I’ve also learned that these are equally good or bad traits, I need
to be generous and grace-filled.
·
I
used to believe I was reserved, but I now know I’m an internal processor and
need extra time to sort out how I feel about “what just happened’—some things
have taken me years to understand but because I was willing to sort through
them, those things are also healed up.
·
I
used to believe I just journal-ed, I now know that I write. And the written
word helps me feel and think and process and can also touch others deeply—I remember
so many things said to me, some of them were not so nice, so I want the things
I express to be helpful or edifying.
·
I
used to believe people grew up, I now know that some people just get older—I’ve
had to learn not to judge.
·
I
used to believe I didn’t express myself well, I now know that communication is
important to get right and I wanted to use the right words—I believe words
expressed verbally or internally have the power to lift or sink you, and the
words in your life give or take life from you.
·
I
used to believe I was depressed, I now know I’m an artistic melancholy and that
is different from the times I’m down—I’ve learned I don’t need to be happy to
please people or make them more comfortable but it is worth it.
·
I
used to believe I needed lots of friends, I now know I need two or three people
who know all there is to know and I need to be vulnerable with them for my own
health—keep those good-hearted people in your life at all lengths.
·
I
used to believe I was at a disadvantage being a woman, I now know that true
womanhood is the most life-giving and encouraging role.
·
I
used to believe that it didn’t matter what I said—and now I know a well-placed
word will be remembered for a lifetime.
·
I
used to believe I was a hard worker, I now know that Jesus’ grace and a
surrendered life is way easier and more fun—His burden is light and easy.
·
I
used to believe life was a struggle and a burden, I’m beginning to see it is
God’s gift to us and He loves us beyond our wildest imaginings.
·
I
used to believe that church was enough, I now know faith works better in
community—that service and the Great Commission are part of community-oriented
faith.
·
I
used to believe I had to be perfect, I now know it is my weaknesses that allow
me to experience freedom and connection—I can’t do everything myself and I need
help.
·
I
used to believe that people just choose not to create art, but now I know that
creating takes courage—if you find and use your real “voice” it will simultaneously
be the easiest and hardest, and most rewarding thing you ever do.
·
I
used to believe that beauty pointed to worship, I now know that work also points
to worship—the “why” of what you are doing is what you are living for.
·
I
used to believe that reading the Bible was good, I now know it is the best way
to experience revelation and insight—there are no wasted details and the
connections go on and on through the stories.
The
core ideas are probably that faith and perspective are everything; and that
words (in your head and out of your mouth) are life-giving.
I
hope you have even more fun in school than I did, are blessed with many good
friends and memories. Don’t take yourself too seriously, embrace your mistakes,
apologize quickly, say kind things and smile at strangers!
Much
love, friend.
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I think, maybe, that Wisdom has smiling
eyes, laugh lines and wrinkles.
