Posted in Helen's Temper by Mrs. George Gladstone
Chapter 10As we start this week's discussion, we find out that Louisa is deathly ill. More ill than we were made to think in the previous chapter. Little Betty is waiting on her little friend and spending as much time as she can with her.
We also see that Helen is still suffering from her conscience. She is in a very dangerous position with her spirituality right now. Now is the turning point of whether she is going to heed that little conscience or if she is going to ignore it. If she chooses to ignore it, she is going to have a REALLY hard time getting herself out of that habit. When I was younger, just a few years ago, I was ignoring the Holy Spirit and my conscience. I was so far gone and I am still dealing with repercussion of it. I still have a hard time not ignoring my conscience and the Holy Spirit. But by the grace of God I am coming back to hearing and knowing when the Holy Spirit is leading me!
A scripture that comes to mind through this ordeal is:
Numbers 32:23I think a lot of times, we really do think that we can get away with our sin. Sometimes we do, but it is only for a time. Eventually, all our sin comes out. Whether it will be here on earth or when we all rise and go to heaven.
But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
I can tell that Grandfather is on the verge of something for Helen and I am sure everyone is going to know what happened. It is going to be sad to see how it plays out though.
OH YAY! Louisa is sitting up and doing better! Thank God! I was thinking last week when I read that she was just kinda wanting to die that maybe she wasn't getting better because she didn't want to. I am glad to read that she is "going to try and get well".
It is really sad to me that Grandfather Holt had to question little Louisa like that, but like he said, :"But for Helen's future, I must persevere.".He had to find out because he NEEDS to talk to Helen. This is a really big deal and it NEEDS to be taken care of.
I felt the tears coming as I read that part about Grandfather Holt turning his head to hide his tears. To read her innocent thoughts about life and death and to know that his granddaughter was the one to bring Louisa to this point, must have just torn him up! I wonder if he felt any remorse for not being more of a spiritual guide for Helen.
Chapter 11
From the title of this chapter I have a feeling that Grandfather's Story is going to be Helen's story only told as an allegory. I can relate to Helen in her feeling the dread she is feeling from this invitation. In the above mentioned state of my life, I had many invitations like Helen has just received. I know what she is going through.
I was even like Helen in the fact of her unforgiveness. I would not have gone and asked forgiveness of those I had sinned against. That did not help the situation either.
Oh I love this part of the chapter: "Helen was growing more familiar with sin; every hour that she indulged in deceit was leaving its mark on her character. How powerful! Every second, every minute, every hour we wait to ask forgiveness of sin, is a second, a minute, an hour that we become more accustomed to it. It is just something that becomes a part of us. It sticks and it is hard to unstick!
Grandfather Holt is very wise and sees a lot. Not just physically stuff, but also spiritual. He is very discerning. Grandfather Holt's story is a little more like the actual story than I would have thought he would do. But obviously it got the point across! This is a shock to see Helen like this! WOW! Maybe she really is sorry for her actions. Oh wait... never mind. I had to know this was coming, "Ask God to forgive me?" "And then Louisa." "What! That little brat?". I sure wish she would decide whether she wants to be who she is supposed to or if she really doesn't care. But that is how all of us humans are, I suppose. Wanting to be who we are supposed to be in the Lord, but our flesh gets the better of us most of the time.
Ah... finally we see some hope in Helen. She really does want to be Godly and lovely! I think she is at the point where she can't stand herself anymore and just wants to be rid of this wronging and become who she is supposed to.
Chapter 12
Ok... where is the kleenex when I need it! WAH! This chapter is already turning out to be so beautifully sad! Poor Louisa!
There is not words I can say right now.. only tears as we read about Louisa's departure. What a blessing it is to be the one to go to heaven before your family and friends. Knowing that you will be healed and that you will get to see the Savior!
Louisa's farewell to everyone was so sweet! I bet everyone was wishing they could go with her!
The Daily Planet
Wasn’t it sweet how even when Louisa was well Betty spent every holiday ministering to her and being a blessing? Some people avoid tragedy, but even during this time Betty never wavered in her spirit of kindness towards her little friend. Likewise, Helen’s attitude had not changed much. The consensus was that this tragedy would be the last one for Louisa. She was not improving at all before this trauma, but this was the “final straw”. I
In times of tragedy, can I focus outward instead of inward and determine to bless those around me, rather than seeking a blessing for myself?
I was relieved that Grandfather Holt had not let Helen’s odd behavior pass by him unnoticed. He had not only discerned that something was certainly amiss, but had precisely pin-pointed the cause of it by this time. His private conversations with Louisa served to confirm his suspicions.
The joy of the gift was greatly overshadowed by the need for this dialogue. My heart ached for Louisa, but Mr. Holt persisted out of his desire not only for justice to be served towards Louisa, but in the knowledge that Helen MUST be corrected in order to be redirected to the right path!
In order to be this diligent with our children this will involve being close enough to them to be able to discern when something is amiss! In what ways can I know my children well enough to be in tune with their rough spots so that I may be actively in the process of refining them?
I had previously said that I wondered WHY Louisa kept this secret. I wept to realize that, even now, her love for her friend was so great that she was willing to sacrifice her own rights to protect Betty.There are few that I know that would be so unselfish. Most people demand what they feel is right and just and even justify their own wrong actions when they have been wronged or feel entitled to a privilege or compensation of some type.
When I am wronged, can I learn to be more Christ-like and less demanding of what I perceive are MY rights? How might this look in practice?
Grandfather’s confrontation of Helen was both wise and kind. He spoke in what is akin to a parable, not unlike the method Jesus so often employed with his disciples in the gospels. Helen was reduced to begging her grandfather’s pity and to be spared the continuation of the tale. Even at this point she shockingly refused to apologize to the injured child to whom she referred as a “brat”! Can you imagine the wickedness and folly in this young lady’s heart that she would blurt out such an accusation after all that had happened? Eventually, her Grandfather convinced Helen of her need for Christ’s forgiveness and while we are told her transformation was not immediate; we do see evidence of a change of heart, at length.
We must have courage to hold accountable those we love. This will involve a prayerful wisdom and a commitment to follow-through. How can I sensitively and wisely challenge someone I love?
Louisa’s final scenes were indeed bittersweet. Tears flowed freely and I found it difficult to keep my composure long enough to finish reading the last chapter to my children. Louisa had no fear of death and she sought to comfort those she knew would be saddened by her passing. Louisa was unselfish and free from self-pity to the very end.
May I be prepared to meet Jesus when my life is over. May I have more reasons to rejoice than to regret. What tangible steps can I take to ensure this end?
The Perils of Parenting and Other Ponderings
What a POWERFUL story we have just read. It brings tears to my eyes! Let us always remember Helen's wise words. "For I have reason to sorrow bitterly, through a long life, over giving way to my temper, and the sad consequences it produced!"
Let us remember:
Ephesians 4:26Blessings to you this week!
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
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