Oscar got me this book for $1 somewhere. He saw it, knew it was the author who wrote the Left Behind series and bought it for me. It is one of my most treasured gifts from him.This book makes me laugh, it makes me cry. But, most of all it inspires me. It inspires me to live a life of obedience.
The second time I read through it, I started writing down inspirational quotes. I especially liked the quotes to the main character, Elizabeth from her father.
Here is a quote from this book of romance, suffering and an enduring relationship with our Father in Heaven.
p.20 "We don't have to please God because we can't...We try to live Godly lives to show our thanks to him for grace. Nothing we can do on our own can please God... we're saved by the grace of God. Living Godly is noble, but don't do it for any reason other than to thank God for the gift of grace. Otherwise, you're still trying to earn his favor."
UPDATE: I am posting an excerpt from the story, because I think the quote is confusing by itself (especially since I cut out certain parts!!) We need context! Enjoy. And then we can talk about it more. p.18-20
"Her life became frustrating. It wasn't that she didn't have a mother - she was used to that. She had a wonderful father, and she wanted to grow up to be a woman of God. But she didn't get it. Why was it so hard? Why couldn't she live only for God and not for herself? Why couldn't she be what she knew God wanted her to be?
"Daddy," ten-year-old Elisabeth said tearfully one night, "I don't think I'm a Christian."
Still in his three-piece suit, as usual, he settled his huge frame on the edge of her bed. "You're the best Christian I know," he said.
"Then you don't know me."
"Have you done something dastardly, Elisabeth?"
"I don't know what dastardly means, but I sin all the time."
Her father hesitated. "So do I," he said finally.
"You do?"
He nodded. "Sometimes I perform my tasks for the applause of men"
"The applause of men?"
"I do it for attention, to be admired and respected."
"What's wrong with that?"
"I should be doing it as unto the Lord. The Bible says we are to humble ourselves in his sight and HE will lift us up."
"But you're not selfish, are you, Daddy?"
"I usually hide it, but I'm often frustrated by patients who come to me with minor ailments at the end f the day and make me late getting to you."
"That doesn't sound like sinning," she said.
"Tell me what YOU mean by sinning," he said.
"I can be awful," Elisabeth said. "I lose my temper, talk bad about people, want my own way. I'm jealous of anyone who does better than I do in school. Sometimes I actually hate Aunt Agatha. Why do I keep doing that?
He shifted his weight and the bed creaked. "We keep sinning because we're sinners, honey."
"But Jesus died for my sins. Why am I still a sinner?"
Her father gently stroked her hair. "You remind me so much of your mother," he said. "She was light-haired with skin as fair as porcelain."
"Aren't our dishes made of that?"
He nodded. "Imagine your mother's face as delicate and beautiful as the teacup your aunt uses.
Elisabeth sighed. "I want to be a Christian like Mommy."
Her father embraced her. Her cheek lay against the wool of his vest and his watch chain tickled her neck. "Just like you, your mother worried and worried about her faith until it all came to her one night in our little church.
"What came to her?"
"She heard the truth, that's all." her father said. "She'd heard it all her life, but she didn't catch it until then."
"I want to hear the truth," Elisabeth said.
"Such wisdom from a wee one," he said pulling back to look at her. "Tell me what it means to be a Christian."
"To believe in Jesus," she said. "And to live for him," she added quickly.
"Is that so?" he asked. "The Bible says we are known by the fruit we bear. You try to live for Jesus, Elisabeth. I know you do."
Elisabeth scowled. "Doesn't God want me to?"
"Sure, but why?"
"Daddy, I"m asking YOU."
Dr. LeRoy stood and stretched, and Elisabeth did the same. His yawn was contagious too, but she fought sleep. If her own mother had the same problem she did, and SHE had found the answer, Elisabeth would not rest until she found it too.
Her father sat again. "Listen carefully, Elizabeth. Your mother finally realized what grace was all about. It means we don't have to please God, because we can't."
Elisabeth was confused. "You mean we're not supposed to try to-"
He cupped her face in his hands. "We try to live Godly lives to show our thanks to him for grace. Nothing we can do on our own can please God. You know the verses."
"'For by grace are ye saved through faith,'" she said, "'and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.'"
"We're saved by the grace of God, Elisabeth. Living godly is noble. But don't do it for any reason other than to thank God for the gift of grace. Otherwise, you're still trying to earn his favor"
And yes, I hope God is pleased with us for living an obedient life. I think I liked the quote because it made me realize that I can NOT do it on my own and sometimes I feel like I am trying to earn my way into heaven or scared that I'm not good enough. But, the Bible teaches that we aren't good enough, HE is good enough for all of us. And the scenario taught from Father to Daughter helped me realize it even more clearly. Also, I like the idea of trying to be obedient as thanks not to earn my way in.
I don't know if the quote really made sense on its own, especially since I left out the part talking about Grace.
