Monday, July 27, 2009

Esperanza Rising


"Do not ever be afraid to go back and start over."

In the summer of 2007, I took a children's literature
class as a part of my masters studies at Vanderbilt University. I loved this class and the reading assignments felt more like enjoyable recreation than class work. One book we read was, "Esperanza Rising" about a little girl whose family immigrates from Mexico to California during the 1930s. Her grandmother provides this proverb about knitting and Esperanza learns that the wisdom also applies to life, "Do not ever be afraid to go back and start over."

I have delayed in writing this post until my new friend at
http://mydesigningsite.blogspot.com/ had given my blog the beautiful face-lift you're now viewing. I have a fresh mindset and I wanted it to parallel the fresh appearance of The Mountain Brooke blog.

The past six months have been difficult for me. Full of transition, new people, new challenges and little consistency, I have been made to lean upon God in a more submissive and dependent manner than ever before. Some days God is less direct than others but His message to me has remained the same throughout these days of transition and frustration, "Brooke, though many things in your life are changing, I am the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

With the mindset of going back and starting again, I believe Him. I believe the next six months will be better than the last six months. I am not afraid to go back and start again. Due to several unavoidable circumstances, I drove the same route in July as I did last January... from Michigan to Eagle, I drove in a packed minivan with many worldly possessions moving to my new life in the West. In my mind, I am starting again.

This summer I bought a new car, moved to a townhome with another teacher I met through church and am in a better mindset to settle and enjoy my current life and job in Colorado.

I will be starting this school year in August -- BEFORE my teaching assistants and the children start the year, instead of trying to play catch-up in February like I did last year.

At the end of the book, Esperanza Rising, after reading about this girl's journey and growth, you learn the Spanish meaning of Esperanza. Esperanza means hope. I feel as though my hope is rising and I am believing God's sovereignty and faithfulness for every detail of my life, and all plans in my immediate and distant future.

Just now when I looked up Hebrews 13:8 to make sure I correctly referenced the verse above, my eye was caught by Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." I want that kind of faith, that kind of hope. I am going back and starting again with a Spirit of rising hope and growing faith.

Join me as my hope rises and my faith blossoms believing God's goodness and love and consistency yesterday and today and forever.

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1 comment:

  1. Oh Brooke!! I am overjoyed with praise!! This is such a beautiful post and I am so happy with what God has been showing you this summer!! I wish I was there to give you a GIANT hug!!!! I love you!

    (Jill did a beautiful job on your blog!!)

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