So, as it is in these college days, I don't take enough time devoting myself to the Lord and spending time in the Word.
This morning, for some reason, I woke up around six and couldn't get back to sleep; I did my readings for my Race, Gender & Media class, which I found more enlightening than normal.
I read some articles today that allowed me to see a different perspective on my race and how others view me, as well as the innate advantages that come along with being white, compared to the disadvantages that unfortunately come along with being of another race in America. It is something that is constantly talked about in the media and politics, but I have not taken a considerable amount of time to think about how these social conditions are applicable in my life and whether or not I am perpetuating these racial differences. It's a tough thing to think about, let alone talk about.
However, today, I am feeling more vulnerable to these issues and am open to viewing my life in terms of race and gender.
After doing the readings, I remembered how fortunate I am to be receiving higher education. This education is allowing me to spend time thinking about these social institutions and educating myself as to how I can make a positive significant difference (that is what my high school superintendent called it - P.S.D.).
I felt compelled to say thank you to the enlightener, in this instance, my professor. I sent her an e-mail, that was considerably long, expressing my gratitude for opening my eyes to these issues and letting her know my appreciation for the curriculum.
My words, when writing the e-mail, came to me easily. An e-mail that would normally have taken me five minutes took me three.
Feeling inspired, I decided to search for some verses and look at a few daily devotionals. I stumbled on one of my favorite verses:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
What a beautiful verse. If that verse were a picture, this is what I think it would look like.
I love verses that are blatantly comforting and sympathetic. I love the image of taking exasperating sighs of relief and handing my troubles and stresses over to God.
I decided to read on and read the entire Proverbs 3.
Something jumped out to me.
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you' - when you already have it with you." Proverbs 3:27-28
That is exactly what God was telling me! In the e-mail to my professor, I specifically said, "I believe that if I am encouraged or enlightened by something, that I owe the 'enlightener' a thank you."
This is my way of never regretting a moment in life - to not hold back my praises and to be grateful for the people and opportunities that surround me.
This is a lesson I have learned by the passing of loved ones; more specifically, the passing of friends that are my age, who die too young.
So, I pass this on to YOU (maybe the one person who decided to stumble on my brand new blog), to reach out to the people who enlighten you today; do not withhold from them the good that they are bringing to your life.
