Apologies for this post being a day late. We ended up staying in London all day and not returning until past 11pm. It was bizarrely wonderful because we were meeting CBC's good friend from Manchester for lunch and as we walked by St Martin in the Fields church, we met his Brother walking along, talking on the phone to his Mother about us! He was just leaving his friend and was wondering what to do. The odds of meeting someone you really wanted to see at the perfect timing in busy London are astonishing.
Anyway, for my Pause for Lent, i wanted to share this short passage I read in the Little Town on the Prairie book which tells of author, Laura Ingalls' childhood and adolescence in the pioneering age. These books are just beautifully told- I love hearing of all the trials, hardships, joys and innovations in the Ingalls family's life. Their faith, love for each other and God are evident through the story and I loved this particular extract:
"We are all desperately wicked and inclined to evil as the sparks fly upwards," said Mary, using the Bible words. "But that doesn't matter."
Anyway, for my Pause for Lent, i wanted to share this short passage I read in the Little Town on the Prairie book which tells of author, Laura Ingalls' childhood and adolescence in the pioneering age. These books are just beautifully told- I love hearing of all the trials, hardships, joys and innovations in the Ingalls family's life. Their faith, love for each other and God are evident through the story and I loved this particular extract:
"We are all desperately wicked and inclined to evil as the sparks fly upwards," said Mary, using the Bible words. "But that doesn't matter."
"What!" cried Laura.
"I mean I don't believe we ought to think so much about ourselves, about whether we are bad or good,"Mary explained.
"But, my goodness! How can anybody be good without thinking about it?" Laura demanded.
"I don't know, I guess we couldn't," Mary admitted.
"I don't know how to say what I mean very well. But - it isn't so much thinking, as - as just knowing. Just being sure of the goodness of God."
Laura stood still, and so did Mary, because she dared not step without Laura's arm in hers guiding her. there Mary stood in the midst of the green and flowery miles of grass rippling in the wind, under the great blue sky and white clouds sailing, and she could not see. Everyone knows that God is good. But it seemed to Laura then that Mary must be sure of it in some special way.
"You are sure, aren't you?" Laura said.
"Yes, I am sure of it now all the time," Mary answered. ""The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. he maketh me to lie down in green pastures. he leadeth me beside the still waters." I think that's the loviest psalm of all. Why are we stopping here? I don't smell violets."
(The little town on the Prairie- p11-12)
The love and understanding and simple but strong faith of this girl who Scarlet Fever left blind. The wisdom and understanding. Thinking about sin and things we do wrong is so important, but I like her approach to it. If we truly know God's goodness, somehow that helps us to think and address our wrongdoing in a different way. In a positive and joyful way.
I'll leave you with one of my favourite songs based on that Psalm too.
xx
Love that version of the Psalm. And how splendidly serendipitous to meet Cbc's brother like that!
ReplyDeleteThere's a shelf in my study full of 'children's classics' that I never read. I think I should read them again with adult eyes.... Jx
ReplyDeleteWow, serendipity!
ReplyDeleteI have only read "Little House in Big Woods". This one sounds like it might be too religious for me. I have nothing against God/religion, it's just not for me! (I do believe in being nice to people though - you don't need religion to be a good person, right?) :-)
It's not all religious, there are one or two moments like this but is mostly just narrative of her days at school and family life.
DeleteOh, thanks :-) I might read it one day then. So many books to get through! *Sigh*
DeleteHi Kezzie, I really enjoyed your post. How so lucky to meet with CBC's brother when you least expected it. We've been watching the news about the horrendous massacre on the London Bridge and parliament. So senseless and sad.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I used to have a TV series of Little House on The Prairie and it was absolutely delightful to watch. The stories were the same. You would have loved it. As a matter of fact, you still can see it on Youtube videos.
Thanks for including The Lord is My Shepherd. It hit me in a special way this evening. Beautiful rendition.
Hugs,
Julia
I bought that set of books for my god daughter this Christmas. I hope she likes them. I always loved the TV series as a child.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the TV series as a child. It's a true classic! xxx
ReplyDelete