Anne Shirley is a beautifully, spunky female character created by L.M. Montgomery in the early 1900s and lead character of the book Anne of Green Gables and it's many sequels. She was made more popular due to the PBS movies that came out in the mid 80s which introduced her to a new generation and generations since.
One of my best friends from early elementary school through today introduced me to this girl who would influence my heart greatly. Being a red head herself, my friend was very fond of Pippi Longstocking and Anne Shirley. Most of our early sleepovers involved watching a movie featuring one of these carrot tops. I received the box set of books one Christmas and read the first one many times as well as watched the first two movies over and over. For those who are also fans, you know why I don't mention the third installment. It was truly terrible. I even upon meeting the man who would become my husband found a greater love for him because he not only knew who this girl was but he also had a great affection for the story as well. He was my own personal little Gilbert Blythe.
It was not until adulthood, and bonding with other truly kindred spirits after the death of Jonathan Crombie, that I read past the beloved first Anne of Green Gables and farther into the set. Quite quickly I realized that the woman this Anne-girl grew up to be was a woman I longed to be as well. There are many things to love and respect about this character, from her young spunky honesty and dreams to the wisdom she gains through experience and desire to make the most of all situations because as she says "It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will."
Above all else, the thing I admire the most is the way she loved others, showing that love, true Gospel love, was indeed an action.
Art imitates life, but there are times where Art is showing me how I need to imitate it.
So, here are 5 ways Anne loved well and gave us an example of showing The Gospel in life.
1. She leaves people better than when she found them. Repeatedly, she makes her way into the lives of the lonely, the grumpy, the gruff, the quiet, the wild and changes them, not with force or lessons, but with love and words. Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the world scouting movement, challenged us in 1941 to "Leave the World better than we found it." This simple statement can be applied to our homes, our schools, our friendships, our churches, and any person and any place with which we come in contact. A welcoming smile, a kind hello, a friendly hug, an honest answer, a helpful hand can turn another's day around. It's just being a light and Shining a light. And just as Jesus is the light of the world, a city on a hill,. "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
2. She seeks them out and approaches them first instead of waiting to be approached. I was struck by one of the stories in the book Anne of windy poplars where a fellow teacher named Catherine after being consistently rude on a daily basis was invited home for the Christmas holidays by anne simply because she knew this woman needed a friend and felt energy within that it was something she needed to do. Just as my first reason stated, This woman left to go home much better then when she came.
There is no doubt in my mind that I am not the only one who has found themselves in a situation where they feel alone. Even the most extroverted of extroverts have at least one experience where they were out of their comfort zone and unsure of exactly who they should talk to and what they should say. I love Anne's desire to not just approach others, but to approach the unapproachable. Those who with every ounce of themselves are trying to repel others due to their own insecurities and yet she reaches out and loves anyway. "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even tax collectors do the same?"
I am drawn to the wall flowers, to the ones who are trying to hide because maybe they don't think they have anything to offer. There is a desire within to give them a glimpse of how much they are loved and sought after by God by seeking them out. In those people, I see a past version of myself. Knowing the girl who once didn't understand her worth, has been gifted enough reminders to fill a book that she is completely known and completely loved and worth every spiritual blessing in Christ.
3. She thinks about what she can do for another instead of what they can do for her. In his letters Paul tells us to "do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourself." and to "let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
I am drawn to the wall flowers, to the ones who are trying to hide because maybe they don't think they have anything to offer. There is a desire within to give them a glimpse of how much they are loved and sought after by God by seeking them out. In those people, I see a past version of myself. Knowing the girl who once didn't understand her worth, has been gifted enough reminders to fill a book that she is completely known and completely loved and worth every spiritual blessing in Christ.
3. She thinks about what she can do for another instead of what they can do for her. In his letters Paul tells us to "do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourself." and to "let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
It is not just in this modern world where we have a desire to look out for ourselves and ourselves alone. It is a sin that was introduced into this world from the first moment of the Fall and has weaved its way into every aspect of our being. The only way to fight it is with the help of the Holy Spirit and the best way He provides for us to do that is to practice putting others above ourselves until little by little, leap by leap, the desire of our heart is not for what we want, but instead for how we can sacrifice ourselves for others, giving to them instead of receiving for ourselves.
4. She listens. And listens intently. I have shared in the past the importance of saying things out loud. That moment where your words full of fears, desires, insecurities, confessions, and dreams become a voice to be heard is most often a milestone moment in a life that sets you forward into the next thing that needs to be done on your life's journey. To have someone there who listens, truly listens, is a precious gift. Yes, advice is wonderful. Yes, empathy and compassion and encouragement our treasured gifts too. But to have someone sitting and listening, intently listening, to the words that seem to be falling from your heart, is such an example of the unconditional love, care, and steadfastness that our Heavenly Father has. It is bearing the burden of another as they finally let go of the things weighing them down and see another help them carry it.
5. She, on occasion, crosses a line of friendship from passive into active pushing others to do what they have always long to or felt that they needed to but didn't have the courage to do alone. I cannot pick a favorite quality shown, but if hard-pressed to do so this one could be given that title. Not because it's something that I do well though hopefully I have been able to in the past then again in the future, but because it is one that has been done for me countless times. Often, I am blinded to my strength because of the focus I put on my weaknesses. And while His power is made perfect in my weakness, there are times where insecurities freeze so firmly that it takes a voice from the outside fueled by the love of God within them that melts those insecurities into actions. It's why we were created for community. It's why we are so mercifully given the body of Christ to walk with us. Because of this, "let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day Drawing Near." (Hebrews 10: 24-25)
Loving our neighbor is a command, not a suggestion. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt 22:37-39) Not just the ones you like. Not just the ones who are just like you. Not just the ones who were nice to you first. Not just the ones who can scratch your back if you scratch theirs. Everyone is your neighbor, look around and love them.
4. She listens. And listens intently. I have shared in the past the importance of saying things out loud. That moment where your words full of fears, desires, insecurities, confessions, and dreams become a voice to be heard is most often a milestone moment in a life that sets you forward into the next thing that needs to be done on your life's journey. To have someone there who listens, truly listens, is a precious gift. Yes, advice is wonderful. Yes, empathy and compassion and encouragement our treasured gifts too. But to have someone sitting and listening, intently listening, to the words that seem to be falling from your heart, is such an example of the unconditional love, care, and steadfastness that our Heavenly Father has. It is bearing the burden of another as they finally let go of the things weighing them down and see another help them carry it.
5. She, on occasion, crosses a line of friendship from passive into active pushing others to do what they have always long to or felt that they needed to but didn't have the courage to do alone. I cannot pick a favorite quality shown, but if hard-pressed to do so this one could be given that title. Not because it's something that I do well though hopefully I have been able to in the past then again in the future, but because it is one that has been done for me countless times. Often, I am blinded to my strength because of the focus I put on my weaknesses. And while His power is made perfect in my weakness, there are times where insecurities freeze so firmly that it takes a voice from the outside fueled by the love of God within them that melts those insecurities into actions. It's why we were created for community. It's why we are so mercifully given the body of Christ to walk with us. Because of this, "let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day Drawing Near." (Hebrews 10: 24-25)
I know it is not an easy task, nothing on our own is easy. Fortunately for us, gifted to us through Jesus is a Spirit that dwells within guiding our hearts and our lives, changing our Inner Dispositions so that these impossible to do on our own things can in fact be done with Him.
I am praying for you within this current climate and beyond that you will feel the push within to love your neighbor and love them well and then after you feel the desire, to go forward in action and let your faith be known through your works. Pray for me.
