Part 3 Review

Inette and William's relationship seems to be blossoming quickly!
What do you think about Inette feeling ashamed that she doesn't do many things? I think we could all reexamine our daily tasks. What is important to you? What is the least of your worries? Are these priorities correct? But most significantly what is important to God? What kind of changes can you make to your lifestyle to bring glory to God?
What will happen next in the relationship of Inette and William? Part 4 will be available April 6th!

-Elizabeth
Jesus Loves You!

Inette's Sanctuary: Part 3

Inette knew it was a possibility that she would see William again if she made her daily appointment with her haven. This was both exciting and upsetting. She did want to hear what else William had to say about being brave and free. But she was worried that she would have to speak.

Nonetheless, she kept her ritual, especially after her mother’s tea party. Inette could not resist the solitude she longed for, even if there was a threat of interruption.

She kept a watchful eye out for the captain, while soaking in all the solitude she could. All day she wondered if William might come. To her disappointment he never did, and she felt silly for the strange desire on her heart.

The next day she resolved to forget the young man and go back to life as always. But she was disappointed once again. Once her trip to the river was complete, she found William sitting on her log.

She stood silently pondering whether she should go or stay, but William saw her before she made a decision.

“I suppose this is becoming a habit. You were telling the truth when you said you are here all the time.”

“I never lie.”

“Of course.”

“Do you mock me, sir?”

“No. I’m sorry. This is your home, and I am intruding. I will leave now.”

“No, wait!” Inette burst out, to the surprise of William and herself. “I mean…”

“What is it?”

“I… I…” Inette blushed in embarrassment.

“I will stay if you wish it…”

“No,” Inette answered swiftly.

“I am confused.”

“Not here. Just the two of us.”

William thought a moment, attempting to understand what it was Inette tried to say.

“We shouldn’t be alone.”

“We shouldn’t?” William asked. “What should we be?”

“I don’t know.”

William thought some more and then said, “Will you accompany me to lunch in town?”

Inette was astonished. Did he just ask her on a date?

“Unless you…”

“No! I mean yes! I mean…”

“You will?”

“If my father permits it, of course.”

“I would not ask anything less.”

William accompanied Inette back to her house to ask her father for his permission on their going out. While Inette’s father hesitated, her mother readily agreed. Thus, her father consented and sent a maid to accompany them. But her mother told the maid to simply watch from a distance.

William attempted to get Inette to talk, but somehow, without words, Inette persuaded him to talk almost the whole time. He told her of the places he had travelled to, the people he had met. And while the list of places was small, the adventures were immense. Inette began to wish she was there with him. Everything sounded so exciting. She imagined the buildings, streets, smells, sounds, and colors of all that William described.

“I didn’t know there was so much out there in the world,” Inette said. “How could you have done so much in so little time? Isn’t it exhausting?”

“I love it!” William answered with renewed enthusiasm. “One may tire after a long day of hard work, but a good night’s sleep always sets me straight for new adventures.”

“I wish sleep was as beneficial to me.”

“With all due respect, you do not do enough in a day. Sleep won’t help if you court idleness.”

Inette turned her eyes to her feet. She felt ashamed of herself, thinking of the bread of idleness she had indulged herself of. She needed to change something.

William took her back home, telling her he wished to see her again before he left on his voyage. She readily agreed to the invitation, then he kissed her hand and left.

God WILL Give You More Than You Can Handle!

Do what? What do you mean God will give me more than I can handle? Don’t people always say that He won’t give me more than I can handle?

Here’s the thing, the Bible does not say this anywhere!

I think people are getting this widely used saying confused with what 1 Corinthians 10:13 says:

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

This verse says that we will not be TEMPTED beyond what we can bare. If you are being tempted to do something that you know is wrong, you are strong enough to say no. And if you say yes, God still extends His mercy to you so you can be forgiven of giving in to the temptation. But this doesn’t mean that God will not ask you to do something impossible.

If God told you to pack up and travel to China and proclaim the gospel out loud in the center of the busiest city, knowing you could die on the spot, could you handle it? If you lost everything, home, money, clothes, food, and family, in a natural disaster, could you handle it?

God never intended you to handle anything on your own! He’s there in the heart ache and failure, as well as the triumph and success. God wants you to trust in Him, to give Him all your fear and pain, as well as the praise and glory. When He calls you to do something, He will provide protection. He loves you and doesn't want anything bad to happen to you. But what about when bad things do happen? He didn't abandon you. He wants to lighten the burden for you. You just have to surrender.

To explain what I am saying, I will share with you some scripture:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. '

2nd Corinthians 1:3-4, 8-12

1. God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation…

God is a God of comfort. He gives us inexplainable peace in troubling times. This cannot be mimicked by any earthly substitute. It comes only from God, and is not found within our own will.

2. We were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. …

Paul and Timothy were writing a letter to the Christian church in Corinth. That particular church was small and facing much trouble. They were probably being told the same thing, that they could handle it. But Paul and Timothy came near death, saw death, and experienced all kinds of cruel hatred, so that they didn’t even want to live anymore. If someone tries to tell you that God will make your life perfect, you tell them about what Jesus said in John 15:20:

“‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”

3. We should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead…

We are not strong enough to handle anything the world will throw at us. We are incapable of standing against the devices of the Devil’s attacks. We cannot trust in our own strength, but only in the power of the God who created us, the God who raised Jesus from the dead, the God who parted the Red Sea, the God who provides redemption from death incurring sin.

4. Together in prayer…

God has called his people to pray. And not only to pray, but to pray together. For where two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus, He is there in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)

5. Not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God…

Do not forget God’s law, but let your heart keep His commands; for length of days, long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first-fruits of all your increase. Do not detest the correction of the Lord; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son he loves. The Lord by wisdom, understanding, and knowledge founded the earth and established the heavens. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. (A paraphrase from Proverbs 3)

In conclusion, God will give you more than you can handle, and no amount of human understanding will help you get through it. Only God’s strength is sufficient, and more than enough. You are not meant to carry your burden alone!

-Elizabeth :)

Jesus Loves You! <3

Part 2 Review

A lot happened in that last part of Inette's Sanctuary!
Do you think Inette will overcome her fear? Will her relationship with William grow?
What do you think about what William said? He said, "I believe that life is precious, and we should do all that we can with this gift God has given to every living person."
Do you believe life is precious? Jesus thinks your life is precious enough to die for. What will you do with your gift?
Part 3 will be available March 23rd.

-Elizabeth
Jesus Loves You!

Bible Verse

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

I have been seeing this verse a lot lately... What's God up to?...

Inette's Sanctuary: Part 2

Inette’s mother’s words repeated in her head over and over. “Your father and I won’t be around forever to protect you.” And “the sooner you admit you’re afraid, the sooner you can conquer your fear.”

Inette knew her mother was right. She would not be under their protection forever. But being afraid? Never! She only, as she said, grew tired fast. It’s hard work to talk to people, to say and do the right things; to not let them see you for who you are for fear that- No, not fear. For worry, yes, that is the word, she thought, worry that they would not like who you truly are. But, did she know who she truly was?

She loved the river. She loved the animals. She loved her parents, and Captain Reigner. These were the only people in the world who saw her for herself, and loved her. But to everyone else, she cast them off. Was this all there was to her?

Her feelings of inadequacy filled every aspect of her thoughts, and she was lost deep within them when she became disturbed at the sound of an unwelcome voice.

“Forgive me,” said Captain William. “I Only meant to see if the peace of this place was as true as yesterday. I didn’t know you would be here.”

“I am here every day, at all hours,” Inette replied.

“I see. I can find another place, if you wish to be alone.”

“That is the wish of my entire existence.”

William, grinning in amusement, said, “Surely not.”

Inette only showed resolve in her statement.

William became serious and asked why.

“Do I need a reason?”

“I believe you do. You are so young, how could you cast off the world so easily?”

Inette moved her eyes about the scenery that surrounded her, looking for an answer. “Is it so wrong to want to be alone?” she asked.

“I think so.”

“What is it you wish for?” Inette asked, hoping to find a fault in the captain to reproach him with.

“To travel, and see all the world as it is now. Then travel again to see how it has changed. Then I want to settle down in the one place I shall fall in love with, and live there for the rest of my days.”

Inette was surprised by such a dream as this. Not knowing how to attack she only said, “That is quite an ambition.”

“I don’t think it’s half big enough.”

Inette showed confusion on her face.

“I believe that life is precious, and we should do all that we can with this gift God has given to every living person.”

Inette was cut to the quick. This man, not only believed in God, but lived his beliefs. His argument was strong, and Inette felt ashamed that she had not done more with her rich seventeen years.

She wanted to ask him how old he was, but she had already ventured from her comfort zone long enough. And if William wasn’t going to leave, then she would.

“Good day, to you, sir,” she said with a curtsy. Then she turned to walk away.

“Please, stay. I will leave,” said William.

“I must be getting home.” And without looking back, she continued on.

Inette thought about this conversation, in bed that night. How could he be so brave and fearless? Could she ever be like him?

The more she thought about William the more he became something of a fantasy to her. She could imagine him sailing across the sea, giving orders to his loyal men; his long strawberry blond hair blowing in the wind; his blue eyes focused on what was ahead; his strong body poised to stand against whatever would contradict his plans.

She then realized how easy it was to talk to him, even though she had only known him a couple of days. She felt a conflict rising between her thoughts and feelings. She wanted to see William again. But her worry said no.

Part 1 Review

What did you think of Part 1 of Inette's Sanctuary?
Do you think Inette's mother was right? Is Inette afraid of people? Or do you think it's as Inette said, that she only tires easily?
Do you think Inette will become friends with William? How does Captain Reigner fit into all of this?
Have you ever been afraid of something but didn't want to admit it? Did things get better when you did? God wants us to tell Him our troubles, to let Him handle them. You weren't meant to carry the burden alone.
Part 2 will be available for you to read a week from today, on March 9th. I hope to see you then!

- Elizabeth
Jesus Loves You!