Jane Eyre again

I just finished reading Jane Eyre for the umteenth time. I think I have read it at least once a year since I was in the sixth grade. This is the third post on this blog that I can think of about this book. I read it often because the book always has a new lesson for me. Some little pearl of wisdom that I apply to my life. I loaned out my good copy so this time I read my puppy chewed copy. Banshee who will be ten years old tomorrow. 12/11 isn't some random number it is her birthday. When she was a puppy we used to joke that she loved to devour knowledge she just misunderstood how. She left her mark on a number of my classics. She picked the books that I read often. I think she smelled me on them and that is why she picked them. Books I had not read where safe. She loved to lay in bed with me on Saturday mornings while I read to her. The pages are yellow some are missing nearly all are dog eared many have baby teeth marks one of the corners of the cover are chewed away, it is a well loved book by me and my dog. :-) I could never part with it silly I know but reading this one is different then reading my new copy. I see the notes of the past and remember the lessons learned where I was in my spiritual life when I learned it. I remember the struggles the the comfort and joy I found within these pages.

This trip through the life of Jane Eyre I was more effected by my own journey then I was by Jane's. It wasn't until the final pages of the book that I found my pearl. At the bottom of page 461 Edward is thanking God. "I thank my Maker, that, in the midst of judgment, he has remembered mercy. I humbly entreat my Redeemer to give me strength to lead henceforth a purer life than I have done hitherto!"


That is the truth of God. Sometimes we refuse to learn what he wishes us to know and it takes extreme action to get our attention. For Edward it took loosing his sight a hand and Jane to give his life into God's hands. He sees his wrong in his past he turned from God in times of trouble. He turned away in anger. When he lost the one thing he held dear and was made humble by his loss of sight and the loss of his hand he finally understood he needed his father and needed to be reconciled to him. When he did this God began healing him. He brought back into his life the lost treasure of Jane. How true it is when we bring our life before God and lay it at his feet our paths are made clearer. What we need to make it through is given to us.

I thought back to the time in my life when I was angry with God and how God had to bring me that low to humble me before I could see how much I needed to be reconciled to him. In that very moment my heart reach out to reconcile with God he began his work of healing me. In that very moment I had a peace that I could not begin to explain with words. In that very moment God showed his presence in my life. In that very moment I understood the depth of God's love for me and the grace he extended me.

That was well more then a decade ago. I am reconciled with my Lord and savior. My life is his what he has done with it amazes me all the time. Everyday I struggle to leave my life in God's hands. You would think after all this time it would be easy. Alas it is not I am still a stubborn fool a work in progress. Good thing God has a lot of grace.