Lesson #1 from Miss Alcott

Jo March is one of the four girls who are the main characters of this story. She is a tomboy who loves to write and who cannot control her temper (sounds like someone I know...intimately...). After a big fight with her littlest sister, Amy, Jo has a good conversation with her mother. Marmee (their mother) tells Jo that she also has a terrible temper, but in her forty years, has learned how to control it. Her husband, Jo's father who is away at war, has been a constant help to her. As he is gone, Marmee does not show her sadness even though it exists. She explains it to Jo like this:

I gave my best to the country I love, and kept my tears till he was gone. Why should I complain, when we both have merely done our duty, and will surely be the happier for it in the end? If I don't seem to need help , it is because I have a better friend even than Father to comfort and sustain me. My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust him, the nearer you will feel to him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother. (Alcott 111-112)

This gave me pause and served as an incredible reminder.

Praise be to God! His love never changes and is all encompassing.

A Book a Week

I'm not sure that I have ever had a theme to my blog before, but I have resolved that over Christmas break, at least one blog a week will be devoted to a book. I have about 5 weeks for break, thus I will be writing on 5 books.

I started thinking about this last night, when I realized I have so many books I want to get through in 5 weeks. I need to be diligent and read quickly but thoroughly. And since I LOVE reading, it's not really a chore.

I have no plan for the books I want, though I've begun Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, so that will be the first.

I have a feeling it might turn out to be a review of sorts, but I will probably have multiple posts, all highlighting my favorite parts. I will have to post right after I read them of course, because I will not be able to contain my excitement.

While I start off on this journey, I would encourage you to read as well! Read my blog and see if your interest is piqued by any of the books I read or ask for a suggestion. I am more than willing to give recommendations!

So make some tea, sit by the fire, be warmed by the Christmas tree, and start a good book! You won't regret it. I know I never do.

Yahweh

I feel in adequate today. It's one of those days when you really feel your humanity. When you ache to be something more. To feel as though you have a purpose.

I am constantly reminded that I am only holy because my Lord is holy. He sanctified me from all sins. And though I am not worthy, He loves me. He sees past all my bumbling and my cursing and my stumbling. He sees past my offences and my blemishes and my outrageous stupidity. He loves me.

Get that: He, the Lord Almighty, the Creator of the universe (known and unknown), the One who knows every hair on my head, the One who knows when I began and when I will end, the One whose face shines with such glory that a glimpse of His back almost killed Moses, that He LOVES me. And better yet, He forgives me. He aches for me to desire to know Him. He is jealous for my attentions.

Why do I act as if anything is better? Why do I care about anyone else's opinions? Why can't I crave Him and Him alone?

That is what I want. Why can't I remember that?

"Moses said, 'Please show me your glory.' And he said, 'I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name "The Lord." And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,' he said, 'you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.' And the Lord said, 'Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock , and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen'" (Exodus 33:18-23).

"For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith" (Romans 3:23).