Great Read!

So I'm supposed to be reading Jane Austen's classic, Northanger Abbey, but a book a friend lent me seems to be before my eyes anytime I have a spare moment for reading.

Stepping Heavenward: One Woman's Journey to Godliness by Mrs. E. Prentiss has be such a jewel. It's written as the journal of passionate Katherine, who candidly writes about her endeavor for Godliness.

Katherine is one of those characters who is obviously flawed, but oh so loveable. Along her journey she shares timeless truths and desires, such as when she confessed, "But this new happiness is deeper; it involves something higher than getting to heaven at last, which has, hitherto, been my great aim." You also get a peek into how she learned some tough lessons, as she's also the sort of girl who better learns by experience and therefor is liable to get some scrapes and bruises.

Written with humility, grace, and humor, the only thing I can say to you is read it!

-Abigail

The Court of the King

With the staff that had failed in my need
Where the road had been stony and steep;
With the lamp that was smoking and dim,
Though the darkness was growing more deep;
Weary, too weary to pray
And too heavy-hearted to sing,
Faint with the toils of the way
I came to the court of the King.

There where the fountains fall cool,
Their waters unfailing and pure;
There where the ministering palms
Stand like His promises sure,
Oh! there was peace in its shade
Oh! there was rest in its calm;
And its sweet silences lay
On my bruised spirit like balm.

Long did I kneel in His court,
And walk in His garden so fair;
All I had lost or had lacked
I found in His treasuries there;
Oil to replenish my lamp,
His kindness a crown for my head,
For the staff that had wounded my hand
The rod of His mercy instead.

A garment of praises I found
For the sullen, dark garb I had worn,
And sandals of peace for the feet
That the rocks and the briers had torn;
Joy for my mourning He gave,
Making my spirit to sing,
And, girded with gladness and strength,
I passed from the court of the King.

Annie Johnson Flint


He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. -Psalm 23:3