I’m currently reading Anne
of Green Gables, and goodness!, why haven’t I read this book sooner? Although sometimes I think a book can’t
really speak to us until we’re ready for it, whenever that may be.
Early in the story the Cuthberts are trying to decide
whether to adopt her or not (they were wanting to adopt a boy originally). Here’s a snippet of their conversation:
“What good would she
be to us?”
“We might be some good
to her,” said Matthew suddenly and unexpectedly.
Our children are not our slaves. Their purpose is not to serve us. We are
to serve them, through love and discipleship, through discipline and
teaching. Who knows what God has in
store for them? And He has given us the
great privilege of being some good to them.
The rest of these are Anne quotes:
“I’m not in the depths
of despair this morning. I never can be
in the morning. Isn’t it a splendid
thing that there are mornings?”
Totally agree, Anne.
Joy comes in the morning.
Darkness, winter, night – I think those are all things to be thankful
for because when the morning does come, it gives us perspective. We understand that it won’t always be dark,
it won’t always be winter. There is
hope. God won’t always feel far away, we will find Him again.
“It’s been my
experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind
firmly that you will. Of course, you
must make it up firmly.”
Ahhh, yes. A good
reminder - everything begins with our mindset. Something that I need to be
reminded of often. (Ahem.)
“There is nothing more
to do except to pray and I haven’t much hope that that’ll do much good because,
Marilla, I do not believe that God Himself can do very much with such an
obstinate person as Mrs. Barry.”
Haha! This makes me
laugh. But it’s also a sober reminder
that God has given us a choice to listen to Him or not. Just like with our own children – we teach
and disciple, but they ultimately have to make the decision to be humble and teachable.
“Saying your prayers
isn’t the same thing as praying.” (I can’t find the exact quote in my book so it may not be exact.)
Yes.
I could keep going, but that’ll do for now.
I’m about halfway through this book, and it’s quickly
becoming an all-time favorite.
What have you been reading lately?