"In His Steps" for the Mother of the Future

Whew!  Yesterday, I read "In His Steps" by Charles Sheldon for the first time.  Aside from some mild critiques (every father portrayed is gone or lousy, it ends up focusing on the social implications of the gospel almost exclusively, and has some of the typical 19^th century—and 21^st century—experientialism) I found it a compelling read.  It was challenging to my lazy American Christianity, and makes me want to DO something with my faith.  (See the book of James if you think you can show me your faith without the medium of your works!) ;)

Anyhow, the quote I want to share reminds me of the situation we, the next regiment of mothers, are in.  Basically, in the story, a very prominent bishop and another pastor both resign their cushy pastorates in favor of moving to a slum and ministering to its inhabitants.  Of course, people were astonished…

 

"'But why?' the Bishop replied to one valued friend who had almost with tears tried to dissuade him from his purpose.  'Why should what Dr. Bruce and I propose to do seem so remarkable a thing, as if it were unheard of that a Doctor of Divinity and a Bishop should want to save lost souls in this particular manner?  If we were to resign our charge for the purpose of going to Bombay or Hong Kong or any place in Africa, the churches and the people would exclaim at the heroism of missions.  Why should it seem so great a thing if we have been led to give our lives to help rescue the heathen and the lost of our own city in the way we are going to try it?  Is it such a rare thing that love of humanity should find this particular form of expression in the rescue of souls?'"

 

May I propose, for our purposes, we change it to: "But why?  Why should what we propose to do seem so remarkable a thing, as if it were unheard of that a woman should want to raise little lost souls in this particular manner?  If we were to go to Bombay or Hong Kong or any place in Africa, the churches and the people would exclaim at the heroism of missions.  Why should it seem so great a thing if we have been led to give our lives to help our husbands and make a home for our own families in the way we are going to try it?  Is it such a rare thing that love of humanity should find this particular form of expression in the raising of souls?"

 

Of course, in the book, the Bishop's statements did not convince the world, and neither will our above statements.  But it will encourage us, and perhaps cause someone to think deeply…