A lot of times Christians will say they heard God's voice when making a decision or choice about their life. Who can really argue whether God has spoken to them or not? Only they can know.
The problem arises when people start to say God told them what would happen in their lives, and it doesn't happen that way. They claim God told them they would marry a certain person, or get a certain job, but it doesn't work out like God "promised". Then they start wondering why God went back on his promise or why God changed his mind.
The thing is, God didn't break his promise. He didn't change his mind. He might not have made you that promise in the first place. We have to be careful not to label our own ideas, emotions, and wants as God's will and purpose. That only sets up us for failure and disappointment.
I sometimes wonder what it's like to hear God's voice. In certain situations I feel a sense of peace that might come from God, but I don't pretend to think God has revealed my own future to me. We need to focus on the promises God has already made us. These can be found in His word.
These are some of His promises that we can put our trust in.
-He promises that His love and faith never fails (1 Chronicles 16)
-He promises that if we look for Him, he will be there (Deuteronomy 4)
-He promises a new life in Christ, and salvation if we accept his word and Christ (2 Corinthians 5)
-He promises to return for us (John 14)
and many more!
Let's focus on the blessings and promises that we know he has already given us, instead of putting our faith into what we think or hope he has said to us. Give some thought and reflect internally on your desires, and don't deceive yourself into thinking it's God's voice.
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Sunday, October 23, 2016
If Mountains Praise His Name, What Does Music Do?
This semester marks the beginning of my sophomore year of college. I love being a music major, and all my classes and experiences just make me excited to be a band director one day. Although I admit, there are days when I hate my major. There are times when I wonder if music is worth all this work and trouble. On those days I remind myself of the good times. I look back on fun memories with my friends. I recall those feelings of joy when I play the music I love. I remind myself that it is, in fact, worth it.
Through the semesters I find it hard to stay actively involved in church. I am busy all the time! There are days when I'm at the music building from 8am to 8pm. I say to myself, its okay that I haven't gone to church. I'm a Christian, it's not like missing a couple weeks will hurt anything. Church is important. It's important to be in fellowship with other believers, hear a lesson on God's word, and worship him. I hadn't been getting those things in my life.
Although I am exploring some new churches with a friend, I have also realized that I don't have to go to church to praise God. I don't have to be looking at a band on stage to revel in His name. I get the opportunity to hear and make absolutely beautiful music every day. Why shouldn't I praise God while playing my french horn, or while singing in choir, or playing piano or cello in my method classes?
Listening to pieces like Wagner's Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral, Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, Respigi's Pines of Rome, and Alfred Reed's Armenian Dances and Hounds of Spring proves that there is a God. Bach's Crucifixus and Cello Suites praise His name.
I do not understand how people can listen to such beauty and think that there is no God. If He says that the mountains alone praise His name, then what does the power of music do? I listen in awe of the combination of sounds He has created. I'm just so humbled. I hope others will see God in the music they perform or listen to. I pray they will not turn away and ignore God's obvious presence.
Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for this gift of music you have given us.
Through the semesters I find it hard to stay actively involved in church. I am busy all the time! There are days when I'm at the music building from 8am to 8pm. I say to myself, its okay that I haven't gone to church. I'm a Christian, it's not like missing a couple weeks will hurt anything. Church is important. It's important to be in fellowship with other believers, hear a lesson on God's word, and worship him. I hadn't been getting those things in my life.
Although I am exploring some new churches with a friend, I have also realized that I don't have to go to church to praise God. I don't have to be looking at a band on stage to revel in His name. I get the opportunity to hear and make absolutely beautiful music every day. Why shouldn't I praise God while playing my french horn, or while singing in choir, or playing piano or cello in my method classes?
Listening to pieces like Wagner's Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral, Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, Respigi's Pines of Rome, and Alfred Reed's Armenian Dances and Hounds of Spring proves that there is a God. Bach's Crucifixus and Cello Suites praise His name.
I do not understand how people can listen to such beauty and think that there is no God. If He says that the mountains alone praise His name, then what does the power of music do? I listen in awe of the combination of sounds He has created. I'm just so humbled. I hope others will see God in the music they perform or listen to. I pray they will not turn away and ignore God's obvious presence.
Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for this gift of music you have given us.
Friday, July 29, 2016
"How Are You?"
I recently got back home from a trip to Japan. It was amazing! I already miss the temples, the sushi, and the adventure. I miss waving a fan when it's hot outside. I miss holding chopsticks. I miss green tea ice cream and kimonos. I miss learning new words and sentences and I miss trying new things. Most of all, I miss the people.
The friends I met in Japan are the kindest people I know. They are so selfless! They gave up their time and energy to entertain us and make sure we were always taken care of. Their faces were never without a smile. I miss the woman who called me her grand-daughter by the end of the trip. I made some amazing connections there, and learned so much about their society and even their education system and musical culture.
I tried to push myself to learn a couple of new words each day. Mrs. Murikami taught me and laughed at how eager I was. Some of the words I learned include arigato gozai mas (thank you very much), sougoi (great!), sumi mahsen (excuse me), ohio (good morning), muzi (water), and oyah sumi (good night). I tried to use these words on a regular basis.
One phrase Mrs. Murikami taught me was "Goki gen ikaga?" which means, "How are you?" to which one would reply "Hi. Genkidis!" which means, "Yes. Good!" I laughed and repeated the sentence several times. I then asked her, "what do I say if I'm not good?" Mrs. Murikami looked at me confusedly. I then asked in another way. "What do I say if I need help, or am having a bad day?" She then laughed and said, "No, you have to say you are good. It's custom! Rude to say otherwise." I nodded my head and moved on.
This has been something I've been thinking about. I realized it's not just a Japanese custom, it's an American one too. Heck, it's probably a worldly custom! When people ask how you are, you nod and say fine, or good, or alright, and honestly, I think that's okay. It's fine to say fine to strangers you see as you pass by, because sometimes the moment is too quick to say anything longer. Sometimes you don't want to give your whole life story to a stranger who probably doesn't even care.
But we go wrong when we say "I'm fine" to the friends and family we love in our lives. If we aren't open and honest with these people, then we are just moving by, living life lifelessly and going through the motions. We need to tell the important people in our lives how we really are, so they can be there for us, and we can be there for them. We need to have intentional relationships! You don't want to look back on your life and realize you never truly knew the people in your life.
Once I started thinking about the words "I'm fine", I felt like it was a lie. Don't I owe this person the truth? Shouldn't I tell them what's really going on during my day? Even if I am fine, I can reply with a little more detail and be more personable. I can then ask them how they are and prompt them to be open and honest with me too.
Some people have realized this "I'm fine" lie. Once these people hear, they smile and say, "Ok. How are you really?" This used to bother me, but now I see it in another light. This person cares enough about me that they really want to know what I'm thinking or what I'm going through. It's not just words we say as we're passing by. It's not just a phrase to use to pass the time. This is an intentional relationship.
So think about what you might say next time someone asks how you are. Think about how you might reply when someone tells you they are fine. If you dig a littler deeper, you may find that "I'm fine" was really not what they meant to say at all.
The friends I met in Japan are the kindest people I know. They are so selfless! They gave up their time and energy to entertain us and make sure we were always taken care of. Their faces were never without a smile. I miss the woman who called me her grand-daughter by the end of the trip. I made some amazing connections there, and learned so much about their society and even their education system and musical culture.
I tried to push myself to learn a couple of new words each day. Mrs. Murikami taught me and laughed at how eager I was. Some of the words I learned include arigato gozai mas (thank you very much), sougoi (great!), sumi mahsen (excuse me), ohio (good morning), muzi (water), and oyah sumi (good night). I tried to use these words on a regular basis.
One phrase Mrs. Murikami taught me was "Goki gen ikaga?" which means, "How are you?" to which one would reply "Hi. Genkidis!" which means, "Yes. Good!" I laughed and repeated the sentence several times. I then asked her, "what do I say if I'm not good?" Mrs. Murikami looked at me confusedly. I then asked in another way. "What do I say if I need help, or am having a bad day?" She then laughed and said, "No, you have to say you are good. It's custom! Rude to say otherwise." I nodded my head and moved on.
This has been something I've been thinking about. I realized it's not just a Japanese custom, it's an American one too. Heck, it's probably a worldly custom! When people ask how you are, you nod and say fine, or good, or alright, and honestly, I think that's okay. It's fine to say fine to strangers you see as you pass by, because sometimes the moment is too quick to say anything longer. Sometimes you don't want to give your whole life story to a stranger who probably doesn't even care.
But we go wrong when we say "I'm fine" to the friends and family we love in our lives. If we aren't open and honest with these people, then we are just moving by, living life lifelessly and going through the motions. We need to tell the important people in our lives how we really are, so they can be there for us, and we can be there for them. We need to have intentional relationships! You don't want to look back on your life and realize you never truly knew the people in your life.
Once I started thinking about the words "I'm fine", I felt like it was a lie. Don't I owe this person the truth? Shouldn't I tell them what's really going on during my day? Even if I am fine, I can reply with a little more detail and be more personable. I can then ask them how they are and prompt them to be open and honest with me too.
Some people have realized this "I'm fine" lie. Once these people hear, they smile and say, "Ok. How are you really?" This used to bother me, but now I see it in another light. This person cares enough about me that they really want to know what I'm thinking or what I'm going through. It's not just words we say as we're passing by. It's not just a phrase to use to pass the time. This is an intentional relationship.
So think about what you might say next time someone asks how you are. Think about how you might reply when someone tells you they are fine. If you dig a littler deeper, you may find that "I'm fine" was really not what they meant to say at all.
Monday, May 2, 2016
15 Minutes in the Car
Every day I spend a total of half an hour in the car (maybe more). Fifteen minutes in the morning on the way to school, fifteen minutes on the way home that afternoon. The past couple years I've been driving, I've noticed the different ways I spend my time in the car.
One way starts the day out negatively and cripples relationships.
One way starts the day out positively and builds relationships.
Some days I would be rushed and running late, and I would snap at my sister. I would blame her for us running late or get angry because she didn't start the car and the snow and ice hadn't yet melted off. I would complain about her annoying habits or stupid decisions. There were some days when I would even yell and freak out. Even if we weren't arguing, maybe I was in a rush and speeding. I would get angry at other cars for not paying attention or not going the speed limit. I felt rushed and irritated. What a great start to my day.
Y'all. I couldn't even have fifteen minutes of peace.
On other days, I would be patient and relaxed on the way to school. I wasn't in a rush to get to my destination. I was at peace. I listened to what my sister had to say with a quiet spirit, and took in every detail of her life. I tried to give godly advice to some problems she was having at school. We bonded. We connected. We centered the conversation on godly thoughts and ideas. And we both left the car feeling closer to each other. We felt a bond and a trust. Times when I went alone, I spent praying for her to take after God's heart and follow him.
Which one of these options sounds better to you?
The time we spend in the car is an important start to our days. It can set your mood and attitude for the whole day. The way I choose to act each morning, whether its selfishly or selflessly, determines whether or not my 16 year old sister has a good day or a bad day. I can build her up and make her feel confident and secure, or I can tear her down, making her feel worthless and insecure. They way I choose to act decides if I hear and connect with God that morning. I've experienced both situations, and I can confidently say the second one is the one I want to try to live by.
So please, be aware of how you are spending your time in the car. Road rage may not seem like a big deal, but can there be a peace and love of God in your heart when you're screaming and cussing out other drivers or passengers? These fifteen minutes really do make a difference.
One way starts the day out negatively and cripples relationships.
One way starts the day out positively and builds relationships.
Some days I would be rushed and running late, and I would snap at my sister. I would blame her for us running late or get angry because she didn't start the car and the snow and ice hadn't yet melted off. I would complain about her annoying habits or stupid decisions. There were some days when I would even yell and freak out. Even if we weren't arguing, maybe I was in a rush and speeding. I would get angry at other cars for not paying attention or not going the speed limit. I felt rushed and irritated. What a great start to my day.
Y'all. I couldn't even have fifteen minutes of peace.
On other days, I would be patient and relaxed on the way to school. I wasn't in a rush to get to my destination. I was at peace. I listened to what my sister had to say with a quiet spirit, and took in every detail of her life. I tried to give godly advice to some problems she was having at school. We bonded. We connected. We centered the conversation on godly thoughts and ideas. And we both left the car feeling closer to each other. We felt a bond and a trust. Times when I went alone, I spent praying for her to take after God's heart and follow him.
Which one of these options sounds better to you?
The time we spend in the car is an important start to our days. It can set your mood and attitude for the whole day. The way I choose to act each morning, whether its selfishly or selflessly, determines whether or not my 16 year old sister has a good day or a bad day. I can build her up and make her feel confident and secure, or I can tear her down, making her feel worthless and insecure. They way I choose to act decides if I hear and connect with God that morning. I've experienced both situations, and I can confidently say the second one is the one I want to try to live by.
So please, be aware of how you are spending your time in the car. Road rage may not seem like a big deal, but can there be a peace and love of God in your heart when you're screaming and cussing out other drivers or passengers? These fifteen minutes really do make a difference.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
I Let Myself Fall in Love with a Boy Who Isn't a Christian
Well maybe not quite fall in love. I did (maybe still do) have a crush on him, which isn't bad, but I let my heart pursue it. I let myself continue to think and think and think about it. He checked off everything on my list. He was everything I would want in a relationship. Except he didn't love Jesus.
I didn't know that at first, and sure, I told myself I would find out. Yet time went on and I had already begun to like him more and more. I thought, of course he's a believer, why wouldn't he be? I assumed he would have the same beliefs and I had already thought about a future together.
Now, none of this is bad. It's perfectly fine to like someone. I just said to myself, if he doesn't love God then I just won't like him anymore. But I didn't guard my heart, and now that I know his beliefs, I am finding it hard to stop feeling that way about him. Anytime he talks to me or brushes up against my shoulder my heart skips a beat, my stomach flutters, and my face turns pink. He talked about his passions and what he loved to do, and I am so attracted to his joy and confidence! Some of my friends say, "you didn't even give him a chance!" or "it's only dating, it's not like you'll marry him!" or "you know you could change his beliefs if you date him" or "he's perfect for you even if he doesn't agree on this one thing!".
These are dangerous thoughts. God tells us to not be unequally yoked. He doesn't want two people in a relationship like that to disagree on the single most important thing in the universe-Himself. It doesn't matter how great a person is if their religious beliefs are different from yours. If I went into that kind of a relationship with the thought of trying to change him or thinking it won't matter, I would have another thing coming.
1. He could bring me down instead of bringing me up (1 Corinthians 15:33- Bad company corrupts good morals). I could turn away from God if I wasn't strong enough.
2. How could I truly have a deep connection with someone I couldn't have a religious conversation with?
3. How could he lead me and encourage to follow after God's own heart?
4. What I dated just for the sake of having a boyfriend and having fun, but in the process fell in love? What if I married him? What if we had children together? What if one day, I decided to bring my children to church but my husband told me I couldn't? What kind of a household would we have, if the two parents couldn't agree on the most important thing to bring our children up on? It would be a disservice to not only my children, but to God.
These are reasons enough to date and marry someone that loves God, even if you think you've found the perfect guy for you. Even if he is funny, kind, generous, joyful, passionate, and good. Even if he is attractive, exciting, and intriguing. Even if he checks off almost everything on that "boyfriend list". He doesn't check off the first and most crucial part of the list.
A man who loves and follows Jesus.
This all seems so silly considering we have never talked about this together, and I've never been on a date with him. I may be overreacting to my thoughts and emotions when nothing has even happened yet. But that's exactly the point. You have to know now what you will do in a situation like this. You have to know now what you will say. You can't wait until he proposes to think, Hmm, maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. You can't wait to decide to follow Jesus' will for you after you fall in love, or after you get marred, or after you have children. You have to decide to obey and be equally yoked now. Otherwise you're just in for a heartbreak. And I think mine already did.
I didn't know that at first, and sure, I told myself I would find out. Yet time went on and I had already begun to like him more and more. I thought, of course he's a believer, why wouldn't he be? I assumed he would have the same beliefs and I had already thought about a future together.
Now, none of this is bad. It's perfectly fine to like someone. I just said to myself, if he doesn't love God then I just won't like him anymore. But I didn't guard my heart, and now that I know his beliefs, I am finding it hard to stop feeling that way about him. Anytime he talks to me or brushes up against my shoulder my heart skips a beat, my stomach flutters, and my face turns pink. He talked about his passions and what he loved to do, and I am so attracted to his joy and confidence! Some of my friends say, "you didn't even give him a chance!" or "it's only dating, it's not like you'll marry him!" or "you know you could change his beliefs if you date him" or "he's perfect for you even if he doesn't agree on this one thing!".
These are dangerous thoughts. God tells us to not be unequally yoked. He doesn't want two people in a relationship like that to disagree on the single most important thing in the universe-Himself. It doesn't matter how great a person is if their religious beliefs are different from yours. If I went into that kind of a relationship with the thought of trying to change him or thinking it won't matter, I would have another thing coming.
1. He could bring me down instead of bringing me up (1 Corinthians 15:33- Bad company corrupts good morals). I could turn away from God if I wasn't strong enough.
2. How could I truly have a deep connection with someone I couldn't have a religious conversation with?
3. How could he lead me and encourage to follow after God's own heart?
4. What I dated just for the sake of having a boyfriend and having fun, but in the process fell in love? What if I married him? What if we had children together? What if one day, I decided to bring my children to church but my husband told me I couldn't? What kind of a household would we have, if the two parents couldn't agree on the most important thing to bring our children up on? It would be a disservice to not only my children, but to God.
These are reasons enough to date and marry someone that loves God, even if you think you've found the perfect guy for you. Even if he is funny, kind, generous, joyful, passionate, and good. Even if he is attractive, exciting, and intriguing. Even if he checks off almost everything on that "boyfriend list". He doesn't check off the first and most crucial part of the list.
A man who loves and follows Jesus.
This all seems so silly considering we have never talked about this together, and I've never been on a date with him. I may be overreacting to my thoughts and emotions when nothing has even happened yet. But that's exactly the point. You have to know now what you will do in a situation like this. You have to know now what you will say. You can't wait until he proposes to think, Hmm, maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. You can't wait to decide to follow Jesus' will for you after you fall in love, or after you get marred, or after you have children. You have to decide to obey and be equally yoked now. Otherwise you're just in for a heartbreak. And I think mine already did.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Blessed by a Friend in Christ
Today was a busy day. All my days are busy days. They are filled with classes, meetings, concerts, workshops, practicing, and homework. I live my life hour by hour according to my planner. I have 8 am music theory, then practicing, history, piano, then band rehearsal. Other days I have aural skills, my literature class, band rehearsal, a lesson, horn studio, then a Tau Beta Sigma meeting. I have to make sure I wear my candidate pin at all times, carry my board and binder at all times, and acquire a certain amount of service, signature, and concert points week to week. Not to mention what I do on the weekends. Today I spent it playing at a conducting workshop, and listening the Canadian Brass play! Great stuff, and I learned a lot! Next week is TMEA, the next weekend I need to plan a Valentines day party for our candidate class, and the next weekend our horn studio is going to the mid-south horn workshop.
Each hour of my every day, my mind is looking forward to the next thing to check off my list. I feel so rushed and busy I hardly have time for homework, let alone time to practice, and time to relax and watch Netflix. It's only the second week of the semester and I've already had a meltdown 3 times.The classes are looking to be a lot more difficult and time consuming than last semesters, and it seems overwhelming. I have to read a lot of novels I don't have time for, and write an argumentative paper over something I know nothing about. Sometimes I have to remind myself to breath and make sure I am living these moments to the fullest. Make sure I'm enjoying this great experience I have studying music at Texas Tech. I was also recently stressed about a decision regarding me moving out of my parents house and into an apartment with my TBS family. It needed to be a hasty decision, and I was ready to jump all in. My parents on the other hand, were not, and refused to make a split decision like that.
In both of those two paragraphs, you can see there is no mention of God at all.
My semester thus far has been me worrying about my time, stress, business, important decisions, and success. It has all been about me and what I do, not about me relying on God and doing what he wants me to do. Did I ask God if he wanted me to make that next step to move out and into an apartment? No, I only thought of what I wanted. I live my life sleeping, eating, and breathing band, as if it's the most important thing in the world. It sure seems like it sometimes. Most of the time.
But tonight my best friend and I went for coffee, and while I yapped on and on about my semester thus far, and how I was struggling but was still so hopelessly in love with music, she talked about how she was growing closer to God. She talked about how prayer was becoming an important part of her daily life. I was immediately humbled, and realized how little I include God in my day to day life. It's as if the music building is my world, and dare I say it, my god, my idol. How many times do I talk to God and read his word? Maybe once a week. Maybe at church. Maybe only when I really need Him. Maybe when I'm having a bad day. Instead, I put my faith and trust into an instrument, into friends, into a sorority, or my musical ability. But when all that fails, what will be left for me?
This is why I am so grateful to have friends who love Jesus. Their love for Him is so inspiring and encouraging to me. Having friends like that help keep me accountable in my walk with the Lord. Sometimes in my walk with God, I'll tell God I'm tired, and go to rest on a bench or chair. I'll stay there for awhile, distracted by the things in the world. Meanwhile, God is standing there asking me to join him again, because the walk isn't finished. It's friends like her who come to my bench and remind me that the walk isn't over, and that Jesus is waiting for his daughter to come back to him.
Music isn't bad. It isn't evil. But like many other things in life, it can be a distraction from God. Instead of making music about me and my ability to play, I need to make about praising Him. I need to be the best I can, to bring glory to Him. Not me.
"Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; celebrate his lovely name with music." -Psalms 135:3
Each hour of my every day, my mind is looking forward to the next thing to check off my list. I feel so rushed and busy I hardly have time for homework, let alone time to practice, and time to relax and watch Netflix. It's only the second week of the semester and I've already had a meltdown 3 times.The classes are looking to be a lot more difficult and time consuming than last semesters, and it seems overwhelming. I have to read a lot of novels I don't have time for, and write an argumentative paper over something I know nothing about. Sometimes I have to remind myself to breath and make sure I am living these moments to the fullest. Make sure I'm enjoying this great experience I have studying music at Texas Tech. I was also recently stressed about a decision regarding me moving out of my parents house and into an apartment with my TBS family. It needed to be a hasty decision, and I was ready to jump all in. My parents on the other hand, were not, and refused to make a split decision like that.
In both of those two paragraphs, you can see there is no mention of God at all.
My semester thus far has been me worrying about my time, stress, business, important decisions, and success. It has all been about me and what I do, not about me relying on God and doing what he wants me to do. Did I ask God if he wanted me to make that next step to move out and into an apartment? No, I only thought of what I wanted. I live my life sleeping, eating, and breathing band, as if it's the most important thing in the world. It sure seems like it sometimes. Most of the time.
But tonight my best friend and I went for coffee, and while I yapped on and on about my semester thus far, and how I was struggling but was still so hopelessly in love with music, she talked about how she was growing closer to God. She talked about how prayer was becoming an important part of her daily life. I was immediately humbled, and realized how little I include God in my day to day life. It's as if the music building is my world, and dare I say it, my god, my idol. How many times do I talk to God and read his word? Maybe once a week. Maybe at church. Maybe only when I really need Him. Maybe when I'm having a bad day. Instead, I put my faith and trust into an instrument, into friends, into a sorority, or my musical ability. But when all that fails, what will be left for me?
This is why I am so grateful to have friends who love Jesus. Their love for Him is so inspiring and encouraging to me. Having friends like that help keep me accountable in my walk with the Lord. Sometimes in my walk with God, I'll tell God I'm tired, and go to rest on a bench or chair. I'll stay there for awhile, distracted by the things in the world. Meanwhile, God is standing there asking me to join him again, because the walk isn't finished. It's friends like her who come to my bench and remind me that the walk isn't over, and that Jesus is waiting for his daughter to come back to him.
Music isn't bad. It isn't evil. But like many other things in life, it can be a distraction from God. Instead of making music about me and my ability to play, I need to make about praising Him. I need to be the best I can, to bring glory to Him. Not me.
"Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; celebrate his lovely name with music." -Psalms 135:3
Sunday, January 17, 2016
I Read Harper Lee's New Book, and I'm a Little Upset
Whether it's for fun or for a school assignment, I'm sure many of you have read To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. It is an American classic about a Southern white family in the 1930's. The little girl, Scout, and her brother, Jem, are growing up without a mother. Scout sees her father as her hero, especially when he defends an African American man in a court case. During this time period, there was almost no way he would be found innocent, whether or not he actually was. Atticus took the case anyway, believing it was important to stand up for what's right. Tom Robinson is accused of raping the Ewell girl, and Atticus points out that it is unlikely due to his arm injury/disability. He then insinuates that Bob Ewell, the girl's father, committed this crime. Despite all this, the jury found Robinson guilty. Robinson was later shot trying to escape prison. Atticus' patience, humility, wisdom, and fairness was a model for not only his children, but to us readers as well. He takes a stand against racism, even when society tells him he is wrong. This is why, when Lee released her sequel, I became upset.
Not just upset. Frustrated. Confused. Tired. Indignant.
Now, I'm not really sure if her book, Go Set A Watchman, is really a sequel, or if it's just an unfinished manuscript or the result of a brainstorm. All I know is that it honestly shouldn't have been published, because it contradicts the first novel, and erases our favorite heroes and their strong morals and values.
Scout, AKA Jean Louise, is an adult now. She comes back to her hometown, Maycomb, to visit her father. We learn her brother has died, and she has picked up a beau, Henry. Henry is an aspiring lawyer, studying under Atticus, who is currently in his late 70's and suffering from arthritis. Jean Louise's aunt, who is usually very judgmental, dislikes the idea of her and Henry. She thinks Henry comes from a "white trash family" and doesn't deserve someone of good background, like the Finches. I thought this book would be about the issue of different social classes and equality between them, but soon enough, the issue of race was brought back up. It's now the early 60's/late 50's, and Jean Louise feels like Maycomb is different somehow. It's not her Maycomb anymore. She finds her father and Henry at a Council Meeting (basically a mini KKK meeting). She's upset and feels betrayed. She yells at her father for being fake, for betraying her trust, and for being a "double-dealing ring-tailed old son of a bitch". Her father does not become angry, but lets her get her feelings out and tells her he loves her. Jean Louise can't believe this is the same man who defended Tom Robinson. She claims that he wants African Americans to be free and follow their hearts desire, so long as they fit within his boundaries. She says that he denies their humanity by denying them hope. She compares him to Hitler saying, "You're no damn better. You just try to kill their souls instead of their bodies." She says, "You are telling them that Jesus love them, but not much." When the argument is over, she goes home to pack up and leave town. Her uncle comes over and calls her a bigot and slaps her. He then convinces not only to stay, but to tolerate Atticus' point of view and listen to other people's opinions. Then Jean Louise feels guilty, apologizes to her father, and tells him she loves him. She sets up a date with Henry. The End.
What the heck, Harper Lee?! You ruined a beautiful character like Atticus, by turning him into a racist and oppressive man. He's not the hero that Scout, or us viewers, thought he was. Why would you do that to Atticus? Not only that, but why did you let Jean Louise suddenly be okay with her father's racism? There would at least be a point to the story if she took a stand against it and left or something! You can't just take a book that students study every day in the classroom, an American classic, and turn it into the opposite of what everyone thought. Are you just bored with your life? Did you sit around for a few years, bored, and just think, hmm, I wonder what will really make everyone mad... well you know what Harper Lee? Good for you. Do what you want. Ruin one of the best books in American history. Hope that makes you feel good about yourself.
Not just upset. Frustrated. Confused. Tired. Indignant.
Now, I'm not really sure if her book, Go Set A Watchman, is really a sequel, or if it's just an unfinished manuscript or the result of a brainstorm. All I know is that it honestly shouldn't have been published, because it contradicts the first novel, and erases our favorite heroes and their strong morals and values.
Scout, AKA Jean Louise, is an adult now. She comes back to her hometown, Maycomb, to visit her father. We learn her brother has died, and she has picked up a beau, Henry. Henry is an aspiring lawyer, studying under Atticus, who is currently in his late 70's and suffering from arthritis. Jean Louise's aunt, who is usually very judgmental, dislikes the idea of her and Henry. She thinks Henry comes from a "white trash family" and doesn't deserve someone of good background, like the Finches. I thought this book would be about the issue of different social classes and equality between them, but soon enough, the issue of race was brought back up. It's now the early 60's/late 50's, and Jean Louise feels like Maycomb is different somehow. It's not her Maycomb anymore. She finds her father and Henry at a Council Meeting (basically a mini KKK meeting). She's upset and feels betrayed. She yells at her father for being fake, for betraying her trust, and for being a "double-dealing ring-tailed old son of a bitch". Her father does not become angry, but lets her get her feelings out and tells her he loves her. Jean Louise can't believe this is the same man who defended Tom Robinson. She claims that he wants African Americans to be free and follow their hearts desire, so long as they fit within his boundaries. She says that he denies their humanity by denying them hope. She compares him to Hitler saying, "You're no damn better. You just try to kill their souls instead of their bodies." She says, "You are telling them that Jesus love them, but not much." When the argument is over, she goes home to pack up and leave town. Her uncle comes over and calls her a bigot and slaps her. He then convinces not only to stay, but to tolerate Atticus' point of view and listen to other people's opinions. Then Jean Louise feels guilty, apologizes to her father, and tells him she loves him. She sets up a date with Henry. The End.
What the heck, Harper Lee?! You ruined a beautiful character like Atticus, by turning him into a racist and oppressive man. He's not the hero that Scout, or us viewers, thought he was. Why would you do that to Atticus? Not only that, but why did you let Jean Louise suddenly be okay with her father's racism? There would at least be a point to the story if she took a stand against it and left or something! You can't just take a book that students study every day in the classroom, an American classic, and turn it into the opposite of what everyone thought. Are you just bored with your life? Did you sit around for a few years, bored, and just think, hmm, I wonder what will really make everyone mad... well you know what Harper Lee? Good for you. Do what you want. Ruin one of the best books in American history. Hope that makes you feel good about yourself.
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