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Posted by drewsfamilytx

I had to force myself to stop after the first three chapters. I was very tempted to continue, but I didn't want to end up finishing the whole book in one sitting and then not feel like contributing to the discussion. Be proud of me! ;-)

One of the passages that really stuck out to me was this one:
We must never place our trust in the wealth of this world, but only in God, who gives and takes away, and who can restore it to us when it accords with His all-wise design.

Sure I know this in my head, but if a great change in our personal financial situation were to suddenly come upon our family, would I honestly and wholeheartedly be able to immediately say Blessed be the name of the Lord!?

I am not so sure of that. I would hope that I could and would, but have not ever been sorely tested in this regard.

I will say that I admire how he tries to teach his children valuable lessons even during trials. I think as parents, our children learn much by our example and attitudes during difficult times. For example, my mother would fret and get upset over the silliest of things. But when times were very difficult (like when my dad got laid off from his job once) she completely surprised us kids by her positive attitude and her complete faith in God's hand in our lives! Her attitude and belief was that when God moves, it really is for our good! I will never forget that time, as well as my surprise in her strength and faith.

One more thing... I am wondering what will happen with the rich banker that wouldn't extend the due date for the money owed by Mr. Vollmar. Will he learn a great lesson or will he be punished somehow or what?

Sorry about the jumbliness in my thoughts, but I wanted to post before I completely forgot my train of thought!

Marsha

Edited by drewsfamilytx on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 2:04 AM

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Posted by Jeannie

Still waiting on mine to get here, sent them an email letting them know I still hadnt had mine....:(

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Posted by quietcajun

I read the first three chapters to my children during our morning devotions this week.
As with Hedge of Thorns, there were several times when I had to blink back the tears so that I could read on!

How quickly we could tell the strong and Godly character in Mr. Vollmar. He was even so wise as to tell his wife that their children were their “richest treasures” and to acknowledge his duty to bring them up correctly. How few in today’s society have had those true secrets revealed to their way of thinking?

I love the book of Job and the quotation of it upon loosing a great deal of wealth was encouraging. It was as if, it were such a habit to remember the Word of God that before Mr. Vollmar could quite finish his thoughts his wife “unhesitatingly” finished his recitation of the very summary and conclusion of the book of Job. I would do well to be so quick to remember what words are written in the Scriptures BEFORE wallowing in despair in challenging times!

They regarded money as a temporal asset and valued that which should really be valued. There was a time when I would disintegrate into a puddle of fear at every threat of trouble, but over time, I have come to trust God more. I still fall on my face at most challenges, but soon remember to get down on my knees instead! The example in this story is moving and convicting! All that we have is the Lord’s… even our precious children. I pray that God will help me trust Him more with every situation!

All throughout these introductory chapters there is a generational tenderness woven. The honor displayed between parents and children, husbands and wives, grandchild and grandfather is admirable and sweet. From the portraits hung in honor of generations past to the little lad leading his grandfather on their ardous journey with little or no thought for his own comfort, we are given a picture here that would, sadly, be difficult to observe in most of our modern society!

It was equally poignant how Mr. Vollmar would remind his children of the Godliness and dear relationship that they had enjoyed when their grandparents were still alive. Often, now, we hear adults complain, even in the hearing of the younger generation, of the shortcomings of their elders. How tender and refreshing to see here a father who’s words are impressed upon his little ones with forethought and care.

Didn’t you just love the qualifications that Mr. Vollmar’s father had valued in seeking a wife? He just knew that his heart could safely trust in her. She sounds like the very woman described in Proverbs 31! He chose a wife based on “prudence and virtue” rather than on temporary prosperity. I am pretty sure that as a young woman I would need not expect to be considered worthy of such confidence! Hopefully, I am improving NOW (nearly 18 years into my marriage), but what a goal for our daughters, to be so steadfast and reliable in their younger years!

When the painting of Jesus was described I felt as if I wanted to try to recreate it, or to have my artistic daughter try! It sounded so vibrant and life-like. Wouldn’t you just stare at the face of our Lord for hours if you had such a treasure in your own home?

I loved that the mother had taught the children to reflect upon their duty to Christ with the memorization of the simple little poem. Therefore, whenever they chanced to gaze upon the visage of Christ in the painting it triggered the thoughts of unselfish surrender to our Lord! We know that our works do not bring about our salvation, but her words reminded them to be mindful of their attitude, that it be worshipful to God in thanksgiving for the sacrifice of His beloved Son and that they be in a place of reaching out to others to His glory!

I love the way the mystery of the hidden treasure is woven into this story. I love the implication of provision to be found when we are unselfish and are willing to sacrifice ourselves humbly in order to serve one another in love. In a deeply spiritual way, there is truth to this in all of life. The less we focus on what we think we need and the more we seek to glorify God by being a blessing to others the more are false needs dissolve and our true needs are satisfied abundantly by our God.

It feels like the mystery is winding down so I cannot imagine what other surprises are yet in store. Have you ever watched a movie and seen a major crisis resolved only to glance at the time elapsed and think, “That was too easy. There has to be more.” That is how I feel at this stage of the book. I look at the number of pages remaining and wonder what else is around the bend. Then, I reflect that feeling into my own life. There are so many trials behind, but what lies around the next bend? However, a book like this reminds me to fret not, but to rest in the knowledge that my Lord knows the Way and IS the Way and His desire is to bring us good and not harm.

I pray that I will rest my heart safely in my Savior in times of plenty AND in times of want. I pray that I will remember where and what are my true treasures and I pray that like The Vollmar Family I will delight in the Lord at all times and bring Him glory in my world!

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Posted by schomeschoolmommy

I finished the first 3 chapters. It was very hard for me to stop without reading chapter 4. The mystery was just about to be revealed.

The theme is touching. The Lord gives, the Lord takes away and the Lord can return it in HIs perfect timing if He wills it. Mr. Vollmar was a wise man. He appreciated that no matter what his circumstance, there was still something to be grateful for...still someone who was worse off than he. Mrs. Vollmar was an inspiration. No matter how poorly things were going, they still had the power to be a help to others.

I was touched by their strong sense of family...not only their immediate family, but the heritage of those that came before them. Their love and faith in God was inspiration.

Oh that I would leave such a heritage for my own children. It would far outweigh the wealth of silver and gold.

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Posted by BeccaBeard

My husband and I are reading the book together. We also had to make ourselves stop at the 3rd chapter and are looking forward to moving on!

For me, this book is confirming what our family has experienced. We are a quiverfull family and each time we have a new baby, when the bills start rolling in, so does the extra money from places we never expected. God is so good and so FAITHFUL to his promises. Reminds me of the scripture from Psalm 37:25:
I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.

Love,
Becca

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Posted by JacqueDixonSoulRestES

First of all.... Jeannie~ I sure hope you got your book or get it very soon!!

What can I say about the family that hasn't already been said? Christina, I too loved the way they made family heritage such a tender family- honoring thing. We are greatly missing that in our culture. It is something that ties us to our family and remains in us all of our lives. I loved the way the Vollmar parents knew what to say to encourage and spur each other on in the faith. It is beautiful. If only I did!! Yes, the fact that he holds his wife and children in such high regard *and* tells them so is a part of his character. His Godly character.

"Teaching our children valuable lessons during trials" That is so profound. That is our goal in homeschooling, isn't it? To teach our children the Word and character of God and how to think and make right choices as life happens. And, a lot of life is joyful, but a lot of life, probably moreso, is circumstances that are not joyful, but trials. A lot of times to teach and learn, I suppose!!

Interesting thought, Marsha, about the banker. Add to that thought of the friend who could have given him money, but just wouldn't. It makes you wonder if either of them will recognize the fact that the Vollmar's give when they are facing losing all, (though they may be rich and not know it). The Vollmar's know that God truly is the God of our fortunes and all other things, these other men do not. I wonder what will change with the discovery of a treasure, if anything in the banker and the friend?

Just think: if there is a treasure, then the elder (grandfather) Mr. V left his home a poor man and worked and worked, but was a rich man all that time. Same thing with the present Vollmars. They are facing dire circumstances, and by the providence of God, they welcome this man and his grandson into their home, and therein lies the treasure. It lies in their giving in their difficulties. Kinda' like giving out of our needs, not out of our abundance.

I totally love the fact that this painting, a painting of the Lord, is what is tied into the treasure. How true. All of our earthly riches may come and go, but our treasure lies with our Lord. Sometimes we are blind to it, but He will always allow our eyes to be opened to it, if we ask.

I agree, KD, "Oh that I would leave such a heritage for my own children. It would far outweigh the wealth of silver and gold." Amen! I also am inspired at how Mrs. V is. What an encouraging wife.

Becca, I totally understand and echo what you said... God is so faithful. I love the Psalm you wrote. I used to have an audiotape of Janet Paschal singing that in a song. It is running through my mind after reading that.

:)
blessings~ J


Edited by JacqueDixonSoulRestES on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 3:47 AM

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Posted by SuperAngel

Ok.... I know it seems that I have disappear, but fear not, I am still here.
I did read this whole book with you, but just have not gotten my discussion done. Sorry!

When I first opened the book and saw the picture of the family and read the first page about them being so very wealthy, I thought, "Oh great, a stuck up, wealthy family", but I was wrong. As I continued to read about the family I got a better understanding about how this family wasn't the normal wealthy family you read about.

I *love* the lesson that Mr. Vollmar takes the opportunity to speak on. I was moved deeply by it. Like Marshie, I really liked the passage: "We must never place our trust in the wealth of this world, but only in God, who gives and takes away, and who can restore it to us when it accords with His all-wise design." That really struck some cords in me. I know I 'know' it, but to read it again, it showed me how unimportant things are in life.

To hear the history of his family was very interesting. I loved that he spoke with so much admiration of his father and grandfather. He really looked up to them as an example for his life. That is the way it should be!

It really was great to see Mr. Vollmar realize that his situation wasn't anything compared to Aloysius and his grandfather. I like that he says, "I am not alone in my misery..." and he goes on to think of all the things that he can do.

I know it must have been really hard for Mr. Vollmar to realize he would probably lose everything. You can tell he cared and loved his family more than anything and to think that he might lose everything that he had provided for them, it was probably too much for him.

Obviously, Mr. Vollmar knew that God had sent Aloysius and his grandfather to show them that they weren't that bad off. I love how Mr. Vollmar listens to God as He tells him he should take them in.

It is awesome to me that the Vollmars, in their desperate situation would call the doctor for the old man to have his eyesight repaired. They saw that he was in more need than they were. That is how the body of Christ should be. Helping each other out even when we don't have enough for ourselves. That was just so refreshing to see!

It was so loverly to see the love that Aloysius had for his grandfather. I think it is lost upon the youth today to love and care for your elders. I love old people. They are just so sweet.

I love the story and description of the Ecce Homo. It makes me want to go buy one and hang it up! As a constant reminder that, like Mrs. Vollmar says, "If Christ suffered so much for us, and bore that crown of thorns on His head for our sake, how can we expect to go to heaven without trials and walk on a path strewn only with roses?" I love how the children also take delight and love the picture so much!

As I winded this chapter down, I too thought as Auntie Christina did, that what more could be in store of this story. It seemed that the mystery was being uncovered.

I actually just kept reading until the fourth chapter. How could they do that to us and leave us hanging? I just couldn't stand the suspense of finding out what happened to our characters. :)

I loved reading all your discussions. I have learned a lot just from reading what you all have said!

Love,
Miss Amanda
http://superangelsblog.com

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