Mary C. M. Phillips

I find that most of my exceptionally talented friends are gifted in more than one area.

I’ve discussed this with several of them and they agree that their expression in art is more than one dimensional.

A talented musician is also a brilliant writer; a gifted dancer is also a skillful painter; a powerful poet, a proficient sculptor.

The same could be said for Jane Austen.  Although she downplayed her musical ability, many think she was in fact much better than she ever admitted.  Even her impromptu poems (this one, written for her niece, Anna) shows the sharpness in her gift of writing poetry:

Her wit descends on foes and friends

Like famed Niagara’s Fall

And travellers gaze in wild amaze,

And listen, one and all

Her judgment sound, thick, black, profound

Like transatlantic groves,

Dispenses aid, and friendly shade

To all that in it roves. 

I have a couple of addictions.

Drinking coffee is at the top of the list and I am thankful for the daily fix supplied by my trusty Keurig.

The other of course, of late, has been reading Jane Austen.  As an addict can simply never get enough, and six novels can be re-read only so many times, I’ve moved onto sequels and the various mash-ups in the Austen genre.

No complaints. None.

Reading classics is a good obsession and one I won’t be giving up.

But I’ve been slacking off in other areas.  Two in particular:  working-out and reading my Bible.

But, thanks to Thomas Nelson and writer, Steffany Woolsey, A Jane Austen Devotional, is getting me back on track.  Each devotional (about 100 in the book) begins with an excerpt from an Austen book, followed by a spiritual teaching (say, a lesson on hypocrisy regarding Mr. Collins) and then ending with a verse of scripture.   The book itself is a beautiful clothbound hardcover.

It is the perfect, without question, perfect book for me.

I am slacking off a bit less than usual.

Now all I need is a treadmill.

*   *   *

May you

find peace and joy in the smallest of things.  

May your love be great and felicity abound!

And may…

(Uh, oh, experiencing Jane Austen electrolytic-conductor-misfiring

brain molting…short circuiting….

 Jane transmitting. Data received.)

And may you have

A house in town!

Every thing that is charming!

Three daughters married!

and

Ten thousand a year!  

It is better to give than to receive.

But in such cases as these, I’m particularly thankful for the thoughtful Austen-inspired gifts found under my Christmas tree this morning from my very own Mr. Darcy.  Specifically, the Jane Austen action figure.

I’m planning a duel tomorrow  between Jane and my son’s Darth Vader figure.

Lightsaber versus quill.

My prediction?

Jane will kick his ass.

Wishing you all peace, joy and HOPE this holiday season and throughout the New Year.