Be Reconciled by Micah

Be Reconciled by Micah - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

There’s not a substantial number of things that are more important to my lifestyle than the concept of reconciliation. It contributes to the very fiber of who I am. In the Bible, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman church, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” The words “live peaceably” are translated from the Greek word εἰρηνεύοντες, meaning to “pacify” with a connotation of “peacekeeping” in the sense of getting along with others. Whether or not one shares in Paul’s faith, his social wisdom is strikingly simple: Strive to live devoid of contention with others, and do what you can to reconcile when issues arise. Though not directly, my freshman English teacher taught me this lesson in a very powerful way.
I was like most young boys when I entered high school in that I already knew everything my teachers had to offer me, and I was altogether uninterested in what my grades indicated regarding my [in]ability to learn. That being said, I held Mr. Neidhold in higher regard than my other teachers almost from day one. He had a knack for creating prompts that reached farther into the soul than your average essay. The one I remember most vividly started with a question that was already likened to a broken record in my mind: “What if you died tomorrow?” I was less than enthused, but Mr. Neid continued to introduce an ungraded writing assignment. The students were instructed to draft a letter to someone they had unfinished business with, to say the things that should have been said before everything went down in flames. Everyone got out a piece of notebook paper, and as the class started jotting hesitantly, Neid slowly dropped off a tissue box or two at each table. Due to both intrigue and writer’s block I put down my pen and decided to merely observe the room. Within minutes, the space was packed with stifled weeping from wall to wall.
I sat astonished until the bell rang and apologized to my teacher for not attempting the assignment, only to have him shrug it off and tell me that he couldn’t make me send the letter, nor even complete it. He just wanted me to think about the way I handle relationships in my life, be they romantic, platonic, familial. It took me most of two weeks, but I both wrote and delivered the letter. Not only did the recipient wholeheartedly forgive me for my wrongdoings, but we’re still on good terms to this day despite living hundreds of miles from one another.
This experience changed who I am, on top of learning that there was more to school than memorizing history dates; I understood the power of both reconciliation and simply confessing one’s mistakes. The act of either creates unity, and in this world characterized by independence and pride, we could use a little more of it. We’d do well to humble ourselves and admit we’re wrong, because until we do, we’ll keep harboring bitterness to hide our wounds. Reconciliation means healing, something we need now more than ever.