I woke today thinking of the character of God. His faithfulness, his goodness, his sovereignty, his love. I do so nearly every morning, but this time God blessed me with being able to feel it deep in my aching heart. I have never doubted it the past few weeks, but the feeling of joy has been elusive, which is unusual for me. Feelings are fickle, but I am grateful for this moment of rest against my struggles. My heart is glad and my feet are light. It’s like a film has been lifted from my soul and I know I am with God. Tomorrow the struggle might return in fresh strength, but that makes today’s blessing of a peaceful heart all the more precious. Thanks to all who are praying for me. Everything is surely in God’s hands! We are surely able to do that which the Lord calls us to do!
“'That I will,' answered Curdie. He did not say, 'If I can'; for he knew that what he was sent to do, that he could do.” – The Princess and Curdie
[[[[[Janet]]]]]
Ditto for us:
[[[[Janet]]]]
I'm not sure whether it's cause and effect, but I often feel that way after extended exposure to George MacDonald (unless it's The Golden Key, or Lilith, in which I feel like I've just come out of a bewildering opium dream...)
Right on, Andy. I better get back to reading The Princess and Curdie because I'm depressed again after a day outside in the terrible, grey, rainy weather. How fickle we humans are! Thanks for the hugs. :)
I though I agreed with Andy about Lilith. In fact, I thought I had commented as much here, but I guess it was only in my mind. But I just finished re-reading it, and what a difference! Granted, there's a lot I don't understand, but it made so much more sense and I was able to finish it, and be deeply affected by it.
The more I read of George MacDonald, the more I can see the debt that C. S. Lewis said he owed him. I now recognize in Lilith the root of much of Lewis's fiction.
Yeah, the first time I read Lilith I had just phinished Phantastes, and thought, "Oh, goody, more somewhat-meaningful escapist fairy tales--sort of sanctified Lewis Carroll." I've read it again since then and mined a lot more, but still never sat down and read in lit-crit mode rather than straight enjoyment reading.
I'm only halfway through my first reading, but I love it already. It lifted my spirits depressed by the grey weather and then I saw a rainbow! A big one from end to end, and then I saw it's double! I seem to recall rainbows occurring frequently in Florida, but not so much in Rochester and Basel. Speaking of rainbows, I really liked The Golden Key (in reference to Andy's earlier comment).
