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She’s an allegorical personification of the moral force that underlies the legal system. She is most often depicted with a set of weighing scales typically suspended from her left hand, upon which she measures the strengths of a case’s support and opposition. She is also often seen carrying a double-edged sword in her right hand, symbolizing the power of Reason and Justice, which may be wielded either for or against any party. Lady Justice is often depicted wearing a blindfold. This is done in order to indicate that justice is (or should be) meted out objectively, without fear or favor, regardless of the identity, power, or weakness. Last week I received an email that fully challenged my entire future. As I talked with a friend the night before and we both exchanged dreams for our lives — her insight revealed to me that I’m already doing what I’ve always dreamed of doing; the only difference is that I’m not getting paid for it. As with most encouraging emails, this one made me feel a lot of great things. For the first time in a while, I felt good about where I am headed in life. She dropped a coin on the scale I hold in my left hand that I use to measure the strength of a case’s support and opposition. The scale was tipped. Last week I needed to be in two places at one time. As I thought about both events, I reasoned between what I knew I should do and what I knew could have been rescheduled. I ignored the event I knew I needed to be at and opted for the other. Since then, I have thought long and hard about what my response will be for not being present on a special day in someone’s life. I can’t remember the last time someone has been that mad at me. She dropped a coin on the scale I hold in my left hand that I use to measure the strength of a case’s support and opposition. The scale was back in balance. I realize I could have made a better decision and avoided the entire conflict — or the tipping of the scale in the opposite direction that was less than desirable. However, I think the image of Lady Justice is such as life. I suppose balance reveals the degree of strength in your core. The stonger your core, the easier it is to balance on a core secrets ball. Webster defines balance as, “stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis.” Stability. It sounds harmonious, I know — but such is the work of God that brings us consistancy. Everyday, people are dropping coins in the right & left side of our scales. And though some days seem better than others, the true test of balance is to cover your eyes like Lady Justice. Don’t allow the influences around you to corrupt what is true. My favorite part of Lady Justice is she is also often seen carrying a double-edged sword in her right hand. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hmm, lessons from Lady Justice. |
November 2007
November 27, 2007
November 9, 2007
There are two occassions when I don’t mind sitting in rush-hour traffic.
1. I’m not driving.
2. I’m with great company.
Last night (I wasn’t driving and was with a good friend) we started talking about friendships. We talked about friends we’ve said good-bye to over the years and we talked about random friendships that formed through interesting situations. But my favorite part of our conversation was when we were talking about those friends that have been in your life for a long time, but we don’t keep in constant contact with. There is something special about those.
I have friend I’ve known since Kindergarten. She moved to another part of town during elementary school and we lost contact. We went to opposite junior highs, but we were reacquainted our freshman year of high school when we both joined Student Council.
I’ll never forget our trip to Telemark when we ate a huge bag of Skittles and talked for hours. I would cut her hair in the Student Council office and our swim coach called us Double Trouble. We had some great times. My senior year was probably one of my favorites because we had a few classes together and we always sat right next to each other. Ecology and Government. Howard & Campbell. The best.
She always made me laugh. She always challenged me. She always brightened my day.
After graduation we went our separate ways. I saw her before I moved to Florida and had a chance to celebrate the birth of her baby girl. Four years passed and thanks to MySpace 
we were reacquainted again. This last summer we had a chance to talk on the phone — and our friendship picked up immediately where it left off.
She shared with me things that happened during high school — poor decisions she made that I never knew about. I still can’t believe all those things happened especially when we were that close.
But this is what I realized last night and what I think is really important — none of the things she’s done has ever made me think any less of her. In fact, I think the world of her. And I could be wrong here, but considering our conversations over the years, I pretty sure she thinks the world of me too.
Which got me thinking — that is definitely how God feels about us. There is absolutely nothing we can do to separate us from his love. “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation…”
Imagine a relationship like this. They are rare. Like a jewel. You miss the times you don’t get to spend together, but when you make time — it’s as if all time stops. You sort of get lost in the moment and when it’s over, you walk away refreshed.
I’ve never thought about our friendship in a way that reflects the love of God. But I see it now. In spite of everything good or bad we have both done in our short lives — nothing could change that I think the world of her, or that God thinks the world of her. His love goes beyond measure. We will never be out of His reach. It’s so good to be reminded of the love of God through our friends. It makes me sure of Him.
During the fall of my sophomore year of high school, a close family friend died. I had a huge swim meet that weekend. My friend and I sat next to each other on the bus and we cheered each other on during our races. I remember feeling sad that day and my friend gave me a picture she colored of Pooh & Piglet. I’ll never forget what she said, “Kar, you’re always like sunshine on a cloudy day, but today, I’ll be the sunshine on your cloudy day.”
And so defines our friendship. Our entire lives. Distanced by miles, experiences, & stages in life, but always brought together by the simple meanings we share.
She’ll always be like Pooh to me and I’ll always be like Piglet to her. We just get each other like that.
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
“Pooh!” he whispered.
“Yes, Piglet?”
“Nothing,’” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw. “I just wanted to be sure of you.”
