Aspects of Austen

I grew up believing that I could be a fairy. Fairies didn't have to worry about anything - all problems could be solved with the simple solution of (yes, you guessed it) pixie dust. Unfortunately, the realities of adulthood are not so easily rectified. Things that are broken cannot be cured with magic, especially not something as fragile as trust. It dawned on me that I do not have a great deal of trust nor faith in the people around me, and I used to think that this was a fairly common, even normal, phenomenon. But, I've come to the conclusion that it is a wildly discordant and (dare I speak frankly?) miserable way to live. Because not only do I not have faith in the people and circumstances around me, but I have used that fear and disillusionment as an excuse to mistrust the only one that can absolutely be trusted. God. And no, that wasn't meant as an expletive. He has come through for me time and time again, but how have I rewarded such faithfulness? With broke...

Mark 10:23-27- Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, "Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who 'have it all' to enter God's kingdom?"  The disciples couldn't believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: "You can't imagine how difficult. I'd say it's easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for the rich to get into God's kingdom."  That set the disciples back on their heels. "Then who has any chance at all?" they asked.  Jesus was blunt: "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it."  There are so many times in our lives when we mistakenly believe that our salvation is a product of what WE can do.  Yes, we know better, know that we were saved by grace and not works, but we act as though it is OUR sole responsibility to get to a place in which we can be righteous in God's eyes.  We live in a cul...