Monday, October 31, 2011

They say there is a young lady...


"They say there is a young lady in New Haven who is beloved of that Great Being who made and rules the world. They say that He fills her mind with exceeding sweet delight, and that she hardly cares for anything except to meditate on Him. If you present all the world to her, with the richest of its treasures, she disregards it. She is unmindful of any pain or affliction. She has a singular purity in her affections. You could not persuade her to compromise her true Love even if you would give her all the world. She possesses a wonderful sweetness, calmness and kindness to those around her. She will sometimes go about from place to place, singing sweetly. She seems to be always full of joy and pleasure, and no one knows exactly why. She loves to be alone, walking in the fields and groves and seems to have someone invisible always conversing with her."

Written about Sara Edwards by Jonathan Edwards, her future husband.

Just recently I came across this quote and I have to admit it is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. It is evident that this woman's very presence pointed other people to the sweet and wonderful love of God. Her entire being was full of love and gentle kindness. She didn't just speak about living her life for Christ, she simply lived it and with every sweet and kind action she pointed others to God. 

My first thoughts after reading this description of Sara Edwards were "If someone were to write a description of me, what would it say?" Would it speak of... an unending love for my Savior? A sweet delight that fills my very being? A heart that desires only Gods will? A passion for my faith so rich and deep that no one could persuade me otherwise? A wonderful sweetness, calmness and kindness?

I'd like to say it would, but reality is that my presence and actions do not always point to my Savior and my attitude is not always sweet, calm and kind. This quote has encouraged and challenged me to seek a life fully lived for my God. It inspires me to be set apart and different from "worldly standards" and pursue the sweetness that comes from the Maker and Creator of our world. I know I will fail many times in my life and I won't always portray Christ-like beauty, but despite my failures I will continue to try, every day, to be a set apart young lady like that described above. 

If someone were to write a description about YOU, what would it say?