My Scarlet Letter

Many who have not read Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter are still considerably familiar with the novel's plot. The Scarlet Letter tells the story of main character Hester Prynne, who struggles to rebuild her life and dignity after committing adultery. As a consequence of her sinful act, Hester is forced to bear a scarlet "A" on her breast so that everyone might know who she is and what she did. Although we no longer live in the reformative world of the 1800's, our society today is filled with comparably similar, as well as new, struggles and temptations with which we are faced. I always jocularly tease my parents about how they lucked out with having me as a daughter. I am obedient. I make good grades. My education and my future are important to me. I have good morals, and I take my faith and my beliefs very serious. All in all, I am the daughter that I hope my parents always wanted. (I only mean that half sarcastically.) I do, however, struggle with sin. I struggle with temptation. I am definitely not perfect, and I even have my own scarlet letter:

W

My scarlet letter stands for want. I love clothes, shoes, and handbags. My dream job is to be a personal stylist or primary buyer for Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom's, Saks on Fifth Avenue, or somewhere of like sorts. (As for the time being, nursing will have to suffice!) I love fashion, especially designer. I have unhealthy obsessions with Kate Spade, J. Crew, and Anthropologie. Needless to say, I am a fashion junkie. Retail therapy is the most effective therapy. My mother always jokingly, though I think quite seriously, asks me where my want button is and how to turn it off. While I understand that I can't have everything, no matter how much I wish I could, I sometimes struggle with my ability to limit myself. 

Most people would not view my problem as sinful, but, as a follower of Christ, I know that I am held to such a degree that I might know my sin and not perpetuate such actions that hinder me from establishing a true relationship with the God who blesses me so affluently. A life lived for the glory of Christ is definitely a life worth living, and I hope to remain accountable for my actions so that all that I do is pleasing to the One who provides me with all that I truly need. The fundamental facet of wanting is that, no matter to what extent wants might be fulfilled, the satisfaction will always be temporal. The brevity of such satisfaction only leaves one empty and wanting more. Because I know that only true satisfaction is rooted in close communion with Christ, I will continue to hold true to the tenets of God's grace and atonement. 

"To do nothing is the way to be nothing." Nathaniel Hawthorne