Heart Matters
grumpy teachers, pierced figs, and a trip to Michigan
Welcome to my newest readers, fellow bibliophiles, and educators!
Grumpy old teachers.
I’ve been a student in those classrooms more than once. I would argue that educators don’t have to be old to be bitter, snappish, and defensive. Life holds hard things, and school culture can certainly add to that. A teacher might endure years of mistrust and unhappiness from others like . . . the parent who accuses them of singling out their child or grading unfairly, the rookie teacher fresh out of college who thinks the experienced teacher doesn’t know anything, the dad who insists he knows how they should or shouldn’t teach a math concept or novel, the administrator who never speaks to them until they make a mistake. Compounded by time and repetition, it can be wearing and wearying.
But it’s not a teacher problem. It’s a human problem. And it trains us to anticipate the negative if we let it.
It’s why I created a talk for the Society for Classical Learning called “Figs and Vines” five years ago. I wanted to bring encouragement to teachers and counter the callousing effect of months or maybe years of negativity. At that time, I had begun researching the life of the sycomore fig tree in Israel and had read about how the tiny wild figs ripen on their branchlets.
From ancient times, we know Egyptian and Cypriot growers of the sycomore fig trees wounded or pierced the premature figs with specific tools. Some thought this step released the bad or tart juices while others guessed it made a way for growth, like shedding a tight skin. Some thought it allowed air to enter to dry out the flowers within the fig or possibly aided other insects to enter to speed the ripening process.
In modern botany, we now know that gashing or piercing induces ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone, which accelerates the growth and ripening of the fruit. After it is cut, the tiny immature fig will begin to enlarge. Within three days, it can increase its size ten times. Without this step, the fruit remains hard, inedible to humans. Could this be a picture of our hearts? Could we unintentionally have a tough skin?
As I continued my initial research, I dove into the life of the prophet Amos. Would Amos have described himself or the people around him as hard or hard of heart? Did suddenly becoming a prophet feel like he was pierced like this fig? Am I like the fruit of the sycomore fig tree? Am I hard or has my tough skin been pierced by God? Am I growing, open and vulnerable? How do I remain tender?
These questions and this single devotional workshop remain at the core of my book, The Sycomore Fig Tree: Biblical Botany and Scriptural Truth. I am still in awe that God in His grace added the story of this tree to my story, my life, because the book is not solely a botany lesson but also life lessons in times of transition. If you or someone you know would be willing to review my book for a publication or website, please reply to this email and let me know. I am emailing digital copies to reviewers already.
around the writing world
I attended my very first Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin University two weeks ago! So many good things. Staying with my middle son and having lots of chats and meals was the best sleepover ever. I got to hug on and spend time with Shemaiah Gonzalez who introduced me to so many people the very first day! Getting to meet people who I’ve read (like Traci Rhoades, Nadya Williams, and Jen Pollock Michel) was worth the cost of admission. Having meals and conversations in real life was phenomenal.
I really enjoyed hearing fiction and nonfiction writers explain HOW they wrote hard things. I took in the artwork of Scott Erickson and felt laid open, seen. My heart softened to see the number of workshops and books on dealing with grief, trauma, and the losses in life. I heard poet Ross Gay read his poetry and essays aloud for an entire hour. So many good things. The one thing I truly missed was hearing more about Jesus from the many stages, great and small.
on my nightstand
Beth Brower’s The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volumes 2 and more! Several readers were delighted to message me after I posted that John and I had read Volume 1. I am happy to report that we’ve now read Volumes 2, 3, and 4 in the three weeks since I last posted. I LOVE this series and its quirky village set in 1883 London.
LuElla D'Amico’s Wondrous Reading: Encountering the Catholic Faith in Children’s Literature (2025). More than a guide to imaginative reading with your family, D’Amico provides deep intention. “If they [children] never discuss with adults the ways faith is developed, articulated, and grappled with in narrative form, children lose out during their most formative years. If stories emotionally move children and adults, they offer an avenue toward deeper intellectual and spiritual understanding of faith . . .” Why not pray and invite the Holy Spirit to be a part of our reading time? How do we think through and talk about what we read? What physical activities can help embody the truth and meaning we experience as we read? Full review coming soon!
📚To see and shop any of the books mentioned in my newsletter since 2025, please peruse the Norvell Notes Card Catalog. If you buy books linked in my newsletter, I may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores.📚
Will I see you soon?
Western Consortium of Classical Educators Conference
Sacramento, CA, June 19-20
Association of Classical Christian Schools National Conference
Atlanta, GA, June 25-28
Institute for Catholic Liberal Education National Conference
Columbus, OH, July 14-17
The Undiscovered C.S. Lewis Conference
George Fox University
Eugene, OR, September 24-27
I welcome your thoughts and recommendations. Do comment and like this post. It helps other readers find me! And don’t forget that the List Library is always available to you, my readers.
Christine
I’m looking forward to reading your book!
It was wonderful to meet you, and I'm always sad later that we didn't get a picture. Next time. Let me know how I can help spread the word about your book!