Some of you may be familiar with the little devotional book, Our Daily Bread. I just came across this story and it was so touching and unusual I thought I'd share it here. It highlights one of those archaic qualities - devotion - which seems to chiefly exist between the pages of books, like its counterparts honor and chivalry and selflessness and all the rest.In 1826, the British author Thomas Carlyle married Jane Welsh, who was an accomplished writer as well. She dedicated herself to his success and served him wholeheartedly. Because of a stomach ailment and a nervous disorder, he had a rather ornery temperament. So she made special meals for him and tried to keep the house as quiet as possible so he could do his writing.
Thomas didn't often recognize Jane's helpful spirit nor did he spend much time with her. However, he wrote to his mother: "I may say in my heart that she...loves me with a devotedness which is a mystery to me how I have ever deserved. She...looks with such soft cheerfulness into my gloomy countenance, that new hope passed into me every time I met her eye."
Between Our Daily Bread and Streams in the Desert, I'm finding all sorts of inspiration. Next week I'll be spotlighting an inspiring friend, Dana Brown, who will talk about her writing journey. She's graciously provided copies of her historical novels so we can have a giveway. And she has some interesting things to say about genealogy and Kentucky history so hope you'll stop by. Happy Wednesday!
Wow, what a story there is in that brief excerpt...it sets the mind whirring with possibilities. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy, my, that was simply beautiful Laura. I agree, it does highlight all of those beautiful, archaic qualities, but it also highlights the beautiful, eternal qualities of our Saviour. A vow was made the day we accepted Christ into our heart- for blessing, for persecution, in sin or in overcoming, our faithful Groom is there to hold us up and tenderly meet the needs of His bride. Despite our flaws and shortcomings, He understands us and is long suffering with us, even when we give Him reasons not to be. Jesus is “devotion” personified. He knows our frame that we are but dust, and still He is there to greet us with new mercies and blessings at the break of each day. TRUE love is the kind that’s given freely not conditionally. I think this certainly keeps with the theme of your “scripture of the moment” and has truly blessed my spirit this morning. Thank you my friend. Apparently, it blessed the exclamation points right out of me ;) Right now I stand in reverent awe of the love and devotion of Almighty God. So, like the Bible says that there is a time for everything- well, there’s a time for exclamation points and a time for periods. ;)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Amanda Stanley
Lovely and inspiring. Oh, that I could love that way. The picture is beautiful. I'm looking forward to your featured guest.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Carla
Laura... I love your blog. I missed you when you took your "break". Photography, thoughts, connections... all of it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on your day...
That is truly a wonderful story, thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've definitely done a lot of thinking since I read it earlier. Devotion is one of those qualities that has suffered in modernity. I also think we, as humans, realize it, and miss it. Think about the popularity of movies, such as The Notebook. The center of that story is a man's undying devotion to his wife. When we see devotion, either in popular culture or our own lives, we recognize how truly special it is.
This has made me think a lot about my grandmother, and how when she was dying she kept continually asking after my grandfather and worrying if he had enough clothes. Thank you for bringing that memory to my mind, bittersweet though it may be. ;)
Oh, Laura, that was a beautiful story, and WHAT an inspiration from which to build a character! I know, I see characters everywhere these days, but that's a GOOD thing, right? ;)
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! I found it last week and tried to comment on your "KY Derby" post, but it wouldn't "take," for some reason. What beautiful pictures, and then to pair them with your beautiful words is just beyond compare!
Thanks, Laura, from another Kentucky girl!
Regina
What a beautiful story! And WHAT a great character she would make. Yes, I see characters behind every tree, as it were, but that's a GOOD thing, right? ;)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and website, Laura. I tried to comment on your "KY Derby" post last week, but it wouldn't "take," for some reason. Wonderful pictures, wonderful writing!
Thanks for sharing with us, from another Kentucky girl!
Regina
What a beautiful story of love, devotion, and selflessness--and what a wonderful analogy of God's love for us. Undeserving as I am, He showers me with love nonetheless. I have a husband who blesses me often with his Christlike love and devotion,which is a gift beyond measure.
ReplyDeleteDevotion...There is a lot of strength in that word. Thank you for sharing this. I, too, am so glad you are back to posting regularly!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story. And lovely photo! Isn't it so quietly powerful when we come across lit bits of wisdom that we needed at the moment we needed them? I found myself quite often turning around and seeing little phrases that tugged at my heart recently :)
ReplyDeleteOooooh, a giveaway! I will most certainly be turning out! I cant wait! And as I have found the new revelation that I am of Kentucky/Tennessee lineage, I cant wait to hear what she has to say!~!
Ruth, Thanks for your kind thoughts. I know you have more on your mind than blog posts, given the flooding in your area. Are praying for your safety and the wellbeing of your friends and loved ones, etc. Yes, mind whirring, indeed:) Make me want to write a book about selfless love and devotion and all the rest. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, Beautiful thoughts by you here! You are a born writer, my dear:) And I enjoy each and every exclamation point you make. I'll have to remember to post more "scriptures of the moment" thanks to you here. There are so many life changing ones that meet the need of the moment. So glad to see you today! Just got home from town and was so happy to have my friends here waiting:)
ReplyDeleteCarla, I so wish I could love that way, too. I must confess that when I went over to check out Mr. Carlyle I rec'd a less than glowing report of his marital status on Wikipedia. But think I'll just stay with Our Daily Bread and entertain my notions of devotion:)
ReplyDeleteI think you'll enjoy Dana's spotlight. She, like you, has some interesting connections to her ancestors/genealogy which made me think of you.
Thinking of you, Carla, as you go about your busy day!
Myrna, I always SMILE when I see your name. Thank you for missing my posts. It's inspiring to think someone is enjoying them somewhere out there - or in our case, right down the road! You always bless me.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, That's such a moving story about your grandparents. I can only imagine the strength of that devotion as her concern was for him in her last hours. That's incredible. Restores my faith in love and those lost archaic qualities which really aren't lost but just aren't talked about much when they occur as they are so personal. Thanks so much for sharing that.
ReplyDeleteI have seen The Notebook in stores and am glad to know the premise behind it. People must value it like you said. I think we are all looking for that type of love, or longing to have that given to us. God is the only One to fulfill that in the fullest sense but I think our Mr. Ballou's love letter during the Civil War contained much of that.
So glad to see you here today!
Yay! Regina is here:) I'm so glad you persisted. Blogger can be so pesky at times. Sometimes it won't let me log onto my own blog! Thus the recent exodus of many of my friends to WordPress. If I was computer-savvy at all, I might follow.
ReplyDeleteLove that you see characters everywhere:) That's the way my mind works, too. Sometimes I wish I could just look at people as PEOPLE and not fictionalize them.
I'm so happy to have another Kentucky reader stop in! Michelle here is another one:) I am doubly blessed!
Keli, Though I don't know him - have never even met him - I have sensed Gwynly is very devoted to you and you him. And please forgive me if I've misspelled his name. I think it belongs in a movie - a Regency:) I love it! A husband with that quality is surely one of God's best gifts. And it is truly Christlike like you said. My Randy is much the same. And it's a quality that just improves over time, I'm finding. Thanks so much for your gracious words here.
ReplyDeleteHeather, I am beyond tickled that you have KY/TN roots:) And I think you'd really like Dana's books. She was so gracious to send me 2 for myself and 2 for the giveaway. I've had so many deadlines this month that I haven't read much yet but plan on it this weekend.
ReplyDeleteLove your "quietly powerful" comment. You are a writer as well as an artist, but think I have said that before!
Aw, thanks Laura :) I hope some day I get up my gumption and write again. Its hard though not to put ourselves in little boxes and say "I'm an artist, not a writer!" or vice-versa.
ReplyDeleteI think its so fun that I have a Kentucky link too! I bet that old granny Mary Melinda was from the mountains, don't you think? I have always had this strong connection to the mountains and I wonder now if it could be in the blood? :)
Heather, Definitely in the blood! My brother, now in Spain, still pines for those Kentucky hills and says it's getting even worse as he ages. Me, too. Wouldn't it be a hoot if we were somehow related:) You are such a dear!
ReplyDeleteThank you Laura! Gosh, that means so much coming from you!! You are such a blessing!!! And in case I don't get to talk to you again before Sunday, I pray you have a wonderful Mother's Day!!!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteLaura, you always find the most beautiful love stories. Thanks for sharing them with us & showing us what devotion--what true love really is.
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy Mother's Day to you, Amanda! Moms are another of His best gifts. I have a wonderful one in Kentucky and wish we could be together this Sunday. Praying you enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteBrenda, I love a good love story and am always on the look out for ones to share. Thanks so much for reading and commenting here. You always add so much!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing picture of love.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Hey there Laura...
ReplyDeleteJust now getting to read your blogspot for the first time in over a week. With Derby all last week and our "Noah's Ark" adventures Derby weekend, it's been a little crazy around here. Am looking so forward to meeting your readers. Hopefully God will give a little gem here and there to them, as well as you, as we are all introduced and get to know one another!
Have a great one!
Hi Dana! Looking forward to hosting you next week! I've been thinking about you and hoping you're having some time to enjoy that Kentucky sun. Wish I could join you. Since I can't, glad you are coming here!
ReplyDelete