Une Nation "Romantique"

Okay, I'll admit it. I've often romanticized France. It's history, culture, language and general beauty often astounds me and draws me in like the warm, sweet fragrance of a fresh baguette.

I often refer to myself as a francophile due to my tendency to obsess over anything related to Paris or France. The 4ft-wide map of Paris

on my living room wall might be the first indication. Spending six weeks in Paris was not nearly long enough to satiate my thirst for une vie francaise.

But alas, I am coming to terms with some of the horrendous fates dealt by the french, especially during and since the colonial years. The racism, misogynistic and ignorant hatred for the "other" by the french is astounding--something my francophile self hates to reconcile.

As an American, I have had to learn the harsh fates dealt throughout my nation's history. I have had to learn how those fates still prevail today. I have had to learn to comprehend and liberate myself from the potential continuance of prejudices and ignorance that will be the demise of any nation. But I have also learned that as a nation we can grow and change. I am blessed to be an American.

And through that blessing, I want others to know that they can experience that same joy if they only acknowledged the problems they must overcome. So, in order for me to make some impact, I must first learn more.

I plan to follow-up this post with more insights into my studies of France's colonial involvement in North Africa and current issues related to immigration and religion. For such a romantic nation, France sure has a lot to get right to really become the republic it thinks it already is.

I fully recognize I am far from an expert on any of these issues, but as far as I can tell no one in America knows they exist even as the romanticize France. I believe I will always love France and hope to live there one day, but it seems only fair to understand the entire beast.

To share my love, here is a beautiful photo of one of my favorite places in Paris, the Rodin chateau (photo courtesy of Stuck in Customs' flickr).

And if you want to read an amazing book about the Veil Ban in French schools, which goes beyond the actual ban into France's problems with racism, gender discrimination, sexism and more, read Politics of the Veil by Joan W. Scott.

Just a short note since it's been awhile...

I can't believe March is more than halfway over. It's been almost two months since I posted anything, so I guess it's time I wrote something new. I wish my posts were as witty and fascinating as Lydia's or I was on an amazing spiritual journey as Sarah is abroad right now, but my meager meanderings will have to suffice if you're reading this.

I just felt like sharing some of the thoughts I've been marinating on the past few days. The Lord has really shown me not only how dependent I am on his provisions, but also that when I am consumed by my own life, He knows just how to rock my world and bring me to my knees because of his insurmountable love for me.

Now would be the appropriate section for me to insert an fitting quote or scripture, but I am lacking in the knowledge right now so I will just share a tweet my good friend Ann Hughston shared with the world earlier this evening that helped me refocus on the One who truly loves me unconditionally although I am completely undeserving outside of his grace.

"If there is nothing in this world that ever satisfies us, then it must mean that we are made for something beyond this world."

I'm not sure whose quote that originally is, even though I've heard it outside of the AH's tweets. But thank you wise soul.

And PS, the wind is seriously howling up a severe storm out my apartment. If I didn't eerily find it calming I'd be pretty freaked out right now.