August 30, 2007

Hi everybody! I've already downed two cups of coffee with an absolutely perfect filler/coffee combination, so think I can organize what I'd like to write for you and have it make sense! This week I was given an incredible book called Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza. I had seen this beautiful woman interviewed a few months ago on 60 minutes, and she had left an impression on me that was hard to shake. The setting is 1994 (I am shamed by my lack of interest at that time (and now?) in world events. I would have been teaching 6th graders in Fayetteville, Arkansas when this nightmare was taking place in Africa. Immaculee survived the genocide in her country by hiding in a tiny bathroom with seven other starving women for 91 days. She was a physics student at a university, 22 years old. I can't write better than a review on the back of the book that states, "Her description of the evil that was perpetrated, including the murders of her family members, is soul-numbingly devestating, yet the story of her unquenchable faith and connection to God throughout the ordeal uplifts and inspires...This book tries to make sense of humankind's seemingly bottomless depravity and counterbalancing hope in an all powerful, loving God.

Now for my thoughts (smile!). In the front of the book the following statement stands alone on a page:
"When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves." Viktor E. Frankl M.D., Ph.D., WWII holocaust survivor.

That sentence has played itself in my head all week. This winter I had a thought about change in ourselves and others that you may like to ponder this week. We are all constantly changing. Circumstances, births, deaths, aging, time. We become different people than we were in our youth. It is tempting to say about those we have relationships with (friends, family, co-workers) - they changed, then desiring the person we used to have a close relationship with back. But I believe I also have changed. If someone that knew me 20 years ago saw me now - they would see the same exterior (well, close to the same!), but they would never realize how much my thoughts and person have changed. I was then thinking that changes in relationships could be compared to a pot of soup. Over time the soup on the stove, as it simmers and cooks, changes in flavor. With the change can come staleness, or the chef could continually add small doses of this and that with spices to keep the flavors rich and interesting. If there is effort put into the soup as it changes over the course of time on the stove, then the mixture of the ingredients, though constantly changing, continue to work together to still create a dish with distinct, interesting, and great flavors. There is no way that the soup will keep the same flavor over time if just left to simmer. That doesn't mean it's not the same pot of soup. The make-up over time just has changed. So the master chef must continually work on the brew. This is the same with us. We can realize that our circumstances are changing around us - those around us are changing with their own set of circumstances. We must then make a decision. Do we "throw out" relationships, with bitterness? Or do we realize the importance of the people in the "pot" and begin changing the "person" - changing ourselves for the better. Realizing that there is no way for us all to stay the same, nor would we want to. But with whatever is thrown our way are we willing to take the extra step (takes effort!) to constantly add what it takes to make the people in your lives still work in relationships? Regardless of what circumstances out of your control are thrown into your story.

Goodness, I hope that made sense! It's hard to put into words for you what I am thinking! Life is our song. Let's not stop when the minor notes hit. Let's just keep playing. Life has such beauty in the details. The "fall" weather this morning is worth being alive for in itself! Keep reading! I will order a case of this book today - I highly recommend it to all of you. The thought processes of this woman are inspiring - to trust God, to look to the future, to forgive. We must continually look up to the hills - where our hope comes from! Thank you so much for your notes, for your special orders, and for your business! I just love having the store for you & can't wait to keep putting money from your business back into the store for even more selections for your family. Go take on your day! Keep adding the spices you need - don't let yourself become stale. Try to enjoy the crickets - they are overriding the sounds of the birds this morning!!! Susan