Just as long as we're together

Stephanie Hirsh- that’s her name. Judy Blume's Stephanie Hirsh, main character of 'Just as long as we're together'. Stephanie Hirsh, the eternal optimist, according to her best friend, Rachel. I’m surprised by how much I remember of a book I read almost twenty years ago; but then again, I did read this one over and over and over again.

It was just that phrase that floated up today and arrested my attention. The eternal optimist. On hindsight, Rachel had called Stephanie that almost in a belittling manner, as if there was something wrong with being an optimist.

I don’t remember ever having thought about it then, but now, it is so obvious why Rachel, supposedly the more mature of the two friends, would think it naïve to be an optimist.

Perhaps it was my own naïveté, but it could just be because I knew little of American culture then. I could be wrong in attributing this to the American culture, though, this could be more universal than that. But it is probably true to say that it is considered “cool” among American youth to speak negatively. Complains, criticisms, writing off – to the extent that someone who’s always holding a positive opinion is deemed a misfit, or an idealist.

I can see why. A mature view of life does see life not in terms of the beautiful parts alone, ignoring the painful bits. Growing up certainly involves knowing that things may not always turn out hunky-dory. But this mature view does not exclude the possibility that one sees hope in difficult circumstances, finds fulfillment in working hard at challenging tasks, and chooses to see the good where there is an equal chance of seeing either.

Some would call such person an optimist, even an eternal optimist, but there is nothing belittling about such a title, and certainly nothing naïve.

The true eternal optimist can only be someone who puts her hope, or trust, in God alone. In other words, someone with childlike faith. There is nothing naïve in this.

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. Mark 10:15