The first thing that struck me as I read the last section of the book was the idea of burning patience. "Only with a burning patience can we conquer the splendid city which will give light, justice, and dignity to all." I think this is a message that can go way beyond the conquering of a fallen city. I think this can translate into everyone's life. I struggle with patience everyday. Waiting in the sandwich line in the caf, patience in dealing with the daily stresses that this final project may bring, and patience with many people's actions that I see and disapprove of everyday. However simplistic and unimportant these may seem when compared to the patience Heidi must have to endure, it still remains relevant. Everybody in our world today is always in such a rush. Everybody is in competition to succeed greater then those around them. I think we've lost a sense of patience to let things unfold how they may, but at the same time striving to bring about the best in our lives an those around us. "Burning patience" is a good way to put it because impatience always seems to overrule. Even though Heidi admits that her patience runs thin very often, I think it is her patience that I am most inspired by in the book. The daily stresses of struggles with the actual church building itself, the money issues, the deaths she witnesses, the tears she shed, the great people she lost. Amidst all this Heidi is patient and knows that justice will be victorious. I really liked how the last portion of her book was called And Still We Rise. This sums up Heidi's incredible optimism and how ones life can be at the very bottom of the well, but still we can rise. It only takes some faith, the help of loved ones, and the passion to better oneself so we can live to see tomorrow.
Monday, April 6, 2009
The last part of BReathing Space seemed to have a dark tone towards the beginning. It was due to the combination of Heidi's lack of faith in the foundation of the church and the fact that she kept listing the names of many faithful church goers that had died for multiple causes. However later in the chapter she lifts the spirits of the reader back up through the victories of life that she has seen uplifted after periods of great struggle and much pain. Stories of Angie, Ben, Burnice, Nikia and her kids were very inspiring.
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I really liked how you put that. I hadn't thought of patience like that while reading this book, I mean it crossed my mind a few times and I thought wow this woman has to have lots patience! But I never really paused on the idea. Now having read your response I'm able to thing about this idea of patience a lot more both through Heidi's struggles and my own. I really couldn't imagine being as strong a person as Heidi just because of her level of patience and endurance. However, this is an excellent way to grow and succeed.
ReplyDeletePatience is a virtue! You're completely right, and after reading this section, as well as the whole book, I feel guilty about losing my patience over such small things. Change doesn't come over night, we have to pray to God to give us the grace and the patience to strive for a better world.
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