This week we begin a series of conversations with Dr. Charisse Gillett, president of Lexington Theological Seminary. She published a memoir this summer. The book honors both her own young life and also speaks to the lives of young people who aspire to grow into their full potential. She wrote it with her children and grandchild in mind. That Little Girl: Memories, Challenges, and Reflections on Black Girl Dreams will inspire many people, and already has, beyond her family.
We were all young once, and sharing those stories can be powerful and important. This week’s conversation with Charisse is about “Calling the Roll” which is the title of one of her book chapters. She shares this ritual of the African American church of her childhood, which gathers each year and calls the roll to acknowledge each person who is part of the work and life of the congregation. The ritual is a symbol for taking notice and giving appreciation to the people in one’s life who matter.
In the book chapter, Charisse calls the roll and names people who are both family and friends who have prayed for her, loved her, and cared for her.
Listen in on Our Conversation about Prayer and Thanks
As a young girl, says Charisse, it was hardly possible to understand the gravity or meaning of someone taking her hand and saying, I’ll pray for you. In our conversation, Charisse remembers how looking back as an adult changed her perspective. She understands now. And it gave her more reason to share her appreciations with family and friends.
Who do you appreciate?
On this weekend when we have dressed up in costumes for Halloween, honored All Saints with feasts and remembrances, and given thanks for All Souls in our lives, it is a good time to stop. Consider taking a look around your life. What would it take to put your thanks into writing? Make it a text. Or better a phone call. Maybe an email. Or a handwritten note. When we live with gratitude and notice who fills us with love and grace, I think we are more present to the fullness of life.
Right now it feels hard to see the fullness of life. So many lives are threatened by callous actions, broken systems, and thoughtless greed. To resist these harms, to work for change, to pray for reversals? Exhausting. So in the midst of this work, we need to turn our hearts to joy and thanksgiving. We need people around us who operate in love and grace. Otherwise despair and exhaustion take their pound of flesh.
So when I ask if you can stop and give thanks or share some appreciation, I’m not making an advertisement for Hallmark. I’m saying it’s a fence around the heart. It is necessary to keep us out of the pit of despair.
Witnessing the joy of Charisse Gillett as she shares her stories from That Little Girl is also an antidote. Spend five minutes today bearing witness to something joyous. It will be good for your soul.
