I guess the reason it challenged me personally relates to the word self-sacrifice. The story begins when Katherine is sixteen - with all the normal emotional ups and downs and self-centredness of teenagerhood. The book shows, over time how she grows in her love for Christ, and how it impacts her decisions and her family. It shows less of self and more of Thee, as the hymn writer so aptly puts it...So jolly hard to give of yourself, to give fully - to give willingly to give because of an overflow of the love of Christ....
Last time I read it, it stirred up in me an uneasyness. I guess it was because I often felt that Katherine was not always dealt the nicest situations, even by loved ones... I felt, sometimes, that I wanted to teach a few people a lesson or two about how selfish they were... and then it hit home. The way of the Master is not about teaching a lesson or two - it is about changing us/changing me - about making me more Christ like. Hmmm.... still didn't rest easy but sure got me thinking.
... and do you know, some of the people who I admire most for their Spiritual life/the sweet smelling, Christ-like aroma are people who are not trying to right the wrongs (done to them)... they are people who let the work of the Holy Spirit change them into quiet, humble, prayerful and sweet sisters in Christ...
Oh it hurts, to even think about...
Spiritual pruning... yikes!
