I love words. Not just for the sake of writing and their meaning, but the way they sound when spoken aloud. There are certain phrases that are given a depth that would otherwise go unnoticed. It's just something about the way the words sound together.
The quote pictured below is on my wall of doodles, and it's a perfect example of a message I like for it's meaning, but one I like so much better when said aloud. Try saying it and see if you feel the difference:
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned
there was in me an invincible summer."
~Albert Camus
See what I mean? It sounds like poetry to me.
It's also a quote that happens to be true. I put this on my wall not to inspire me, but to remind me of what I've already learned so I don't have to keep re-teaching myself.
When things get harder, when my health is more trying, the thing that keeps me calm and sane is the fact that I know I've done it before. The pain has been bad before, the symptoms are all ones that I've faced in the past, the exhaustion has reared it's ugly head and the headaches have tried to break me. And during those times, those wintry moments when things seem cold and endless and bleak, there is a summer deep within me that is untouchable. Invincible. I know it's there even when it seems far away and unreachable because I've been through it all before... and the summer always rises to the surface.
I have faith that He hasn't left me empty. So in those moments I remind myself of what I've already learned... that in the midst of winter there is in me an invincible summer.
What have you already learned that seems easy for you to forget?
Because I really do believe that once we know better we can't pretend to be ignorant anymore. Try making it a habit to remind yourself now of what you've already learned so that during your next run of trouble... the winter moments that inevitably come... you will remember and believe that He hasn't left you empty.
Remember that He has given you an invincible summer within.
What have you already learned that seems easy for you to forget?
ReplyDeleteThat our God is not The-God-of-the-Big-Stick. He is loving, faithful and always has my best at heart.
whoa! this is great. what wisdom. i will need to read this over and over. there is such truth here. there are so many things that i have already learned that seem easy to forget. of course, i initially think of my illness but then i think of the spiritual things. HE is faithful. ALWAYS! summer is within me. thank you for this. (and i think i want a wall of doodles!!)
ReplyDeleteYou are my inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThank You!
That what I do matters in the eternal scheme of things...
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Sara. One I'll keep. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI needed this today. More than you could ever realize. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow did you get inside my head to know how much this would touch me today?
ReplyDeleteIn graduate school, my favorite quote came from a Prof who taught us that we all need a good definition of learning, and that when we define it to be sure to include this "sometimes, learning is really just remembering what we already know." This has stayed with me always. Now I have an even better visual!
Thanks Gitz!
That is part of what I love about your wall of doodles. It reminds me of how the Hebrew people set up stones of remembrance. I have two actual rocks I went and found when God did something amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'm on a carb crash so I hope this makes sense...
I generally keep index cards and sticky notes and notebooks with quotes and verses. They are easily lost or separated that way. I don't have a place to paint my walls right now, but I have two canvases to get me started!
Wow, Sara. Thanks. I feel the same about words. I can't seem to put them together into poetry, but I love reading others' thoughts. A beautifully turned phrase almost makes my heart melt.
ReplyDeleteRemembering the summer within.
I think one of these days I want to meet you. Maybe, if I ever make it to Mayo, I'll be close enough to visit???
Love you and have a good day!
@lk: I like that phrase "God of the big stick." :) You're right, I think sometimes we forget that He's on our side and hoping we succeed, not waiting for us to fail.
ReplyDelete@sheryl: you should make a wall of doodles... I highly recommend it :)
@neas: no, thank you for coming here.
@robin: what you do even matters in the little everyday scheme of things. And you do many things very well, friend.
@sherri: thanks.
@jess: then I'm glad I wrote it... it must have been for you. :) Give E. a squeeze for me!
@vicky: "remembering what we already know" Exactly. It's just a thing where we can't use the excuse that we don't know better because we do. We just choose to ignore it sometimes. [or at least I do :)]
@anita: ahhh... carbs. :) You just let me know when your wall is starting to feel empty and we'll add to it. :)
@michelle: Only a few hours away... you're welcome any time :)
I'm sitting here, at my desk at work, by myself, reading this outloud and saying "mmm.hhhmmm.." yes. I hear the poetry. It's all wrapped up in the 'i' sound in: In, mIdst, wInter, In, InvIncIble.... brings out the word invincible in a crazy way.
ReplyDeleteWishing could write like that. LOVE seeing snippets of your walladoodles!
I definately need my invincible summer right now. These past few days have been very exhausting. But who am I to complain... Thank you for the sweet words of comfort.
ReplyDeleteDarlee
@mandy: you CAN write like that. You just must not hear yourself like I hear you.
ReplyDelete@darlee: I'm sorry it's been rough... but your summer is there. I promise.
gitz - beautiful, really.
ReplyDeletebut on a lighter note...
I have been having probs with my right contact lens today, and instead of winter, I read 'sweater'. I immediately went, huh, and read it correctly, but for a second... hehe
that was cute... I know - not how it was meant - but laughter, too is a blessing....
Oh sorry - not winter - summer
ReplyDeletestill having contact issues ;-)