The Inheritance

Last Night, I watched The Inheritance based on a book by Louisa May Alcott. The character Edith may quite an impression on me. To write that she was humble, kind, gentle and quiet would be an understatement. One who have to read and see her character come to life in order to have those character traits take meaning. In the story Edith was an Italian orphan that was saved by a very rich family, The Hamiltons. Edith grows up with the Hamiltons as "their help". She is a companion to their daughter. At the end of the story, Edith finds out she truly is a heir (her Father is the brother of Mr. Hamilton).  There is so much I would like to write about this movie/book but in case you haven't seen it, I will save the details.

It was very fitting this morning when I woke up and saw Today's Proverb 31 verse for the study. It is Proverbs 31:31 -"Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates."

As I observe the verse above, I see Edith from The Inheritance. She didn't force being a heir or tell everyone when she found out she was an heir. She in fact doesn't tell anyone despite the fact that she could have used it on three occasions for her benefit. She didn't use words as tools to argue or defend her case. She didn't look for praise yet she received that and more. She didn't try to get men's attention but everyone was attracted to her even if she was not in their "social class".

Also when I think of the "fruit of her hands", I am reminded of Psalm 1 where it says "he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper."

The application for me is that throughout my life, I may not look like a "heir". People may not treat me like a "heir". I may be accused of things I didn't do. I may be accused of wrong motives. I may be persecuted. I may be looked down upon. However, I see a picture of my heavenly Father telling me to come as I am a heir, a heir of the king. He says we are a royal priesthood. In 1 Peter 2:9 it says "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

It is hard at times for me to be silent when falsely accused. Sometimes, I want what I want right now. If others do something that is wrong, I want to tell them exactly what they did. If others speak to me in a malicious tone, I want to retaliate. However, I see God at work in me changing me from the inside and out. I am not who I once was. Also, I see God changing me more in how I respond to situations in life. God truly is my inheritance.

To Him be the praise and may I may I always sing His praises.

My prayer is the Hymn Blessed Assurance:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine O, what a foretaste of glory divine Heir of salvation, purchase of God Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood Chorus: This is my story, this is my song Praising my Savior, all the day long This is my story, this is my song Praising my Savior all the day long Perfect submission, perfect delight Visions of rapture now burst on my sight Angels descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love