Our family reads a chapter or two of a classic novel every night. We are in The Swiss Family Robinson right now. I was told it was an excellent book, a classic, and it was all about adventure and a family bonding together after being shipwrecked on a desert island. It sounded exciting and something we would all enjoy listening to. It was so much more than I thought it would be.
The first couple of nights started with just me reading as Dan was out but he has been with us for the last few chapters and says we can't go on without him because he's enjoyed it so much too. Now at every spare opportunity we squeeze in a chapter.
What I was expecting was a thrilling adventure but what I found was a story laced with deep theology given by the Godly father, leading his family just as the word lays out for fathers to do. What an amazing testimony and example to read about. It has been an encouragement to me as we are changing seasons in our lives and feeling a little like we are on an island ourselves.
Chapter 1: Shipwrecked and alone
The book starts right away with the Swiss family Robinson lifting their final prayers up to God and encouragement to the 4 sons as today may be their last day on earth and they may very well soon meet their maker. Here's the father saying "Take courage my boys," and "The Lord will hear our prayers", and "if the Lord wills, He will rescue us". And as the last of the seamates jump overboard into the last tiny life boat, it seemed all hope was lost. Abandoned.
Here's where God shows up (not that he hasn't already been there) but the rain stops, and the mist falls away, and low and behold, they are wrecked only a little way from an island.
Now check out this Help Meet of a wife; Pg 3 "My wife, however, perceived my distress and anxiety, in spite of my forced composure, and I made her comprehend our real situation, greatly fearing the effect of the intelligence on her nerves. Not for a moment did her courage and trust in providence forsake her, and on seeing this my fortitude revived."
What an amazing wife. Even though she knew her husband knew something they all weren't supposed to know she supported him and kept him strong by allowing him to take on the burden of figuring out this dilemma.
I could go on and on just about chapter 1 alone. The boys and the father end up building some kind of boat using casks so they can make their way to the island, but I must end for now. Tomorrow I shall tell you about chapter two; A Desolate Island.
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