In my internet search for more information about Gladys, I read that the book was called "The Little Woman". I didn't have much success with that title, the browser kept wanting me to go to Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women". So I entered "The Small Woman". Not much help there, but I was cracking up about the Related Search links:
Related searches
Very Small Woman
Huge Woman Small Boys
Fat Woman
Single Woman
Woman Small Chairs
Pretty funny. I didn't click on any of them because I am afraid -
Anywho. Gladys's story really sparked some thoughts about Faith.
I've heard Faith defined as "the lack of fear". I'm not sure I agree. I think Faith requires a lot of courage, which I define as "having fear but doing it anyway".
There is a feeling in me which I tend to ignore. A feeling that I'm not doing with my life what I am supposed to be doing. I like to get busy doing those silly things that have no purpose other than to make MY life easier. I like to fill my head with useless thoughts/plans - 'what will I make for dinner tonight? when is my next dentist appointment?'
We are all given something special which we are to use to play our parts on this earth. It is time for me to sit still awhile so that I can hear what it is I'm supposed to be doing. The reason I am here. Time to put my ego aside and allow myself to be guided by something bigger than me. To open my eyes and see my path. To have courage.
Because Gladys Aylward followed her path and lived true to herself, she made an enormous difference. The ripples caused by her life will endure for a long, long time. The children she saved will tell the story to their children, to their children, to their children. Who will all use her life as an example to live their own lives, who will influence their neighbors...
Please don't misunderstand. I don't want to be great, or famous, or important in the social sense. I just want to have the peace that comes with doing what I'm supposed to be doing, my special thing to do. I want to find the courage to not take the easy way, but the right way.
Faith. Gladys had Faith. Where is mine????
Peace
3 comments:
cooter,
I like this post. A lot. I sometimes find myself in that same weird ass funk where I'm wondering why I'm wasting my very precious life away doing useless junk that rots my mind.
We should take the gifted school to Africa or Appalachia where kids wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity.
OR
I think the world would find itself a better place if I sat on your beach in a chair sunning myself 24 hours a day.
way to get my mind turning.
peace.
x
Elf,
Thank-you-this piece sparked a conversation with N. a gal of few words at times. The movie was one of her all-time favorites...and I have never seen it. Well, that is on my ever growing (a good thing) to do list.
When I was out in the mid-west for treatment of trauma related stuff I was taught, "feel your fears-then do it anyway" I think there is a book title similar. The thing is I grew up believing my feelings could-would actually hurt, kill, maim me irreparably...thus I learned not to feel them. Today my task is to let-allow feelings to co-exist.
The temptation to make it black and white i.e all or nothing is so huge. That middle ground is always so obscure. Tough to tolerate. I wonder can faith be that way? Can we have moments where it is clear cut? Followed then by mucky waters-perhaps when we are most tested? The, if angry with a higher power can it flip to the "other" side?
I do believe in the 'reason for everything' school of thinking. I am just betwixed as to what could possibly be a purpose in things like war, crime, rape, torture, horror etc. Then I fear are some people born to be victims? AND-more egocentrically thinking am I one of them? Alas the me, me, me piece that disgusts me of late.
N. and I just had another VERY interesting talk about the movie you mentioned, she has some cool facts about it. I will let her talk with you in person tomorrow. Do you know we are coming? I hope bringing munchies is still a good idea? Munchies-Beverages? Any requests?
YAY on tomorrow-and love this discussion. I appreciate it.
~Paige
I want to have this discussion too-later when I can find time to quiet all the stuff in my mind and sit still-with you.
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