Author: Betty Owens
Happy Publication Anniversary – Jane Eyre
On this day, one hundred and sixty-six years ago (1847) my favorite classic novel of all time was published––Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre.
For years I read only classics. They felt safe and opened doors that allowed glimpses into history. Some of these glimpses raised questions in my mind and I needed further reading and research to answer them. When Jane Eyre was published, the novel was considered rather shocking. It was a gothic romance, a coming-of-age story, a study of woman’s scary inner psyche.
Shocking or not, it quickly sold out. Jane Eyre was a success. What made it so popular? I think it’s the fact she was an ordinary woman who overcame a difficult past. She was not beautiful, but she was intelligent, spiritual, and sensitive. She truly loved and cared for others. That fact was not clear in the beginning when she had to fight for existence in her adoptive home. But when she was sent away to a very cruel environment, her attachment to a best friend showed she was capable of love.
When she gained employment as a governess, her true nature and personality rose to the surface. Her inner beauty transformed her humble outer appearance. This is the dearest hope of many ordinary women, hidden away in our hearts––that someone will see beyond our outward appearance and love us for our true nature. In Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte succeeds in encouraging us to believe it can happen.
If you have never read Jane Eyre, I encourage you to do so. Even if you don’t like classic novels, I believe the story will pull you in. If you’ve tried and really can’t get into it, get the movie. There are several good versions. The 2011 version from NBCU (pictured above) is my personal favorite, available here ––I don’t get any kickback for this link.
Thanks so much for stopping by. May the remainder of your day be blessed.
Changed Lives Says It All
This week’s post is a little different, because last night I attended a concert hosted by my home church, Trinity World Outreach Center and The Refuge, an area youth ministry. Eddie James began with worship and praise, belting out songs with energy. His backup singers and dancers brought us so frequently to our feet, we just stayed there.
But the real star of the show was the message. Not just when Eddie spoke, but when the kids told why they’re here. Life changing. For someone who lived through the heartbreak of raising a child addicted to something, the moms whose children are still addicted, the families suffering because their child is a gangbanger, this night held hope and healing.
Eddie’s message is tough. He preaches aggressive faith. He preaches obedience. He preaches purity. But most of all, he preaches grace and reminds us of God’s love. And the glory falls. Lives are changed.
This is a mighty wave like none we’ve seen. This is a way to fight back against the heartbreaking epidemic of addiction. Once again, as it did in the late sixties and early seventies, it begins with our youth: revival.
Hope surges when revival is present. If you’re in the Louisville, Kentucky area and your teen or teens need help, get them to The Refuge. They meet on Sunday night in Mt. Washington and again on Wednesday night at Trinity World Outreach Center, in the Family Life Center. The Shift has begun. Things are changing, and it’s a change I don’t want to miss.
For more information:
Eddie James Ministries: http://www.ejworship.org/about/
Trinity World Outreach Center: http://trinityworldoutreach.com/
The Refuge: https://www.facebook.com/therefugeky
Thanks for visiting my blog,
End of the Road: Home
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| The long road ahead. Saw lots of these. |
Road trip, anyone?
Just a few days off the road, I missed the adventure.
These are a few of my favorite pictures, ending with my son being reunited with his wife and their dog.
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| Gusto “Houdini” Owens |
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| “Ah” Moment |
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| Another “Stop the car so I can take a picture!” moment… |
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| The road to Grand Canyon. Several layers of beauty here. |
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| We made it to the GC! |
And now, the moment we’d all been waiting for.
Their little family is back together again. That’s the reason I flew to Seattle, so we could have a moment like this.
And now my big adventure is at an end.
Feeling a little sad. But not for long. There’ll be more great adventures ahead for me. I’m looking forward to them.
Thanks for stopping by,
On to Flagstaff, Arizona, Route 66, and The Grand Canyon
As San Francisco’s beauty receded in the rear view mirror, we set our sights on Bakersfield, California then on to Flagstaff, Arizona. We left Route 66 and headed north to the Grand Canyon.
The road afforded more beautiful vistas as we climbed from 6,000 feet above sea level to nearly 8,000. Who knew that big hole in the ground was at such an altitude?
We paid our $25 fee and received our instructions. Gusto the Wonder Dog was welcome everywhere except on the shuttles. We’d have to hoof it. No problem. We found a parking place and took off.
The day was overcast with patches of sunshine as we hiked along the paved trail. When the Southern Rim came into view, I was reminded of the old days in a church’s sanctuary, where everyone whispered. My eyes feasted on the expansive views. Everywhere I looked, colors and textures beckoned. I’m usually shy of heights, but there was so much to capture my attention, I didn’t really think about it.
Gusto seemed unconcerned about the whole thing. He sniffed around, perking up at the appearance of two squirrels whose colors almost blended into the surrounding rocks. The two put on quite a show for their onlookers, posing for the cameras and no doubt hoping for handouts. Gusto wanted to eat them.
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| There are two squirrels––can you see them? |
Soon, more wildlife joined us as a couple of elk does (are they called does?) wandered into the area, grazing with their spotted fawns. We saw them again later, as we munched our lunch at a picnic table.
As we finished our lunch, rain sprinkles urged us toward our car. The drive back down took us through patches of pouring rain, but we were happy and satisfied. We’d seen what we came to see and it defied our humble cameras. You really must see it to really appreciate it.
We were ordered by our spouses to take this next photo, as proof that we were really there. We’d avoided camera lenses up to this point. Clumsy, unflattering things. So here we are, thanks to a stranger’s expertise. That’s me on the left. Gusto’s in the middle. Daughter-in-law, Alyssa is on the right. The real star of the show is behind us.
Betty Thomason Owens 