Update on “Prayerful Consideration” Grades
Evelyn has been down graded to an F, based on the following email. I received it this morning, and, while I semi-appreciate the thought, I also want to say really…you think this is going to make me feel better…really?
E’s email: (*Disclaimer: Put aside, for the moment, the questionable rhetoric of the email.)
EXTRA-ADDED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS BASED ON
NICOLE JOHNSON’S “KEEPING A PRINCES HEART”
1) Do you think your childhood dreams for your life were shaped by fairy tales? If so, which tales had particular influence on you and why?
2) What are some practical ways we can mature through life’s difficulties without becoming too jaded or too idealistic? What role does faith play?
3) Nicole says there are three elements to all fairy tales: recognition [to be known], adoration [to be loved], and consolation [to have a glorious ending], reflecting the “deepest longings of a woman’s heart.” How do these three elements connect with or play a role in your deepest desires?
4) Why is hope a necessary ingredient to many enjoyable qualities of life, such as wonder, nobility, imagination, and beauty?
5) In what ways can fairy tales sharpen our ability to see the unseen kingdom?
6) Why is humility a key characteristic in the invisible kingdom?
Yes, I think it is very sweet that Evelyn–my church mentor, who it should be noted has only sons–thinks of me as a Princess. And yes, as my mentor, she is supposed to be helping continue my spiritual growth. Had this email arrived next week, I may have found it helpful and enlightening. With me, it is almost always about the timing. When I am angry and upset, you should really just leave me be to stew over it until I come (usually within a couple of days) to the logical conclusions you may have wanted to offer. Anything before I cool off will just upset me a little bit more. Right now, I look at this email and think: spiritual growth? I’m really not feelin’ it right this second. Can’t I mourn the passing of the possibility before I grow from it? Not: O Joy! O Bliss! Thank God for another opportunity for spiritual growth. Maybe that makes me a bad Christian, but if so, God will probably forgive me anyway. I do try, just not right this second.
Also, I think there may be a hidden message in the email about my “humility.” Not sure yet, not gonna stress about it now. The worst thing about it is this: I know that Evelyn means well. She is a lovely woman, and clearly, has my best interests at heart. She is just trying to keep me on an even keel as I fight the academic fight. So, I have to email her back and THANK her for these irritating questions.
Such piffle!!!
K said,
March 2, 2009 at 5:23 am
I feel compelled to participate in this discussion session.
“There is no story bigger than the Good News! We need to awaken our hearts and find ourselves as Sisters of Prince Jesus and Daughters of The King!”
I’m pretty sure Jesus didn’t have sisters, as he was constantly recruiting them. I seem to recall one pair he really liked — he let their brother die and then brought him back to life. What a good joke! That’s the kind of fun you want to be let in on, though. No, for me, I think daughter of the scullery maid is more likely. You know, the one who hides under the stairs and reads books all day so that one day, when a good wizard passes through the neighborhood, she will be ready to be an apprentice!
1) Do you think your childhood dreams for your life were shaped by fairy tales? If so, which tales had particular influence on you and why?
As a child, I felt particularly drawn to tales of mystery. Puzzles. Sherlock Holmes, for instance. A story that had a logical ending if the protagonist payed very close attention and kept thinking on his feet. This left me hungry for more mystery and also left me wanting to be the one who didn’t miss things; the one who would be one step ahead of those nearby.
2) What are some practical ways we can mature through life’s difficulties without becoming too jaded or too idealistic? What role does faith play?
Considering that I am awash in contradictions — I am simultaneously jaded and overly idealistic — I have yet to figure this out. It’s a mystery to me!
3) Nicole says there are three elements to all fairy tales: recognition [to be known], adoration [to be loved], and consolation [to have a glorious ending], reflecting the “deepest longings of a woman’s heart.” How do these three elements connect with or play a role in your deepest desires?
I want to be known as a wise warrior and a brilliant writer; I want to be loved as I am; and I want to be consoled by a harem of handsome men.
4) Why is hope a necessary ingredient to many enjoyable qualities of life, such as wonder, nobility, imagination, and beauty?
Because most people leave us hoping to see these qualities in them. And we all hope to have these qualities in ourselves. In trying to have them, we attempt to redeem ourselves.
5) In what ways can fairy tales sharpen our ability to see the unseen kingdom?
Something that is unseen cannot be seen (though it may be sensed with other senses). Ergo, we can sharpen these abilities, but sharpening our “seeing” ability will yield unsatisfactory results.
6) Why is humility a key characteristic in the invisible kingdom?
Because when you go around claiming to see an invisible kingdom (or fairy people or dragons), you’d better be humble or you’ll be locked up.
K said,
March 2, 2009 at 5:24 am
P.S. My advice? Take the shortcut to being a princess. Buy yourself a tiara and wear it whenever you need to be reminded of your status.