 
RUNNER UP — 13-18 CATEGORY
Katie Tillett
WHAT TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY GIRLS
CAN LEARN from ELSIE DINSMORE
The topic for Vision Forum’s essay contest this year is rather interesting. After all, what could twenty-first century girls, so deeply engrossed in web-surfing, e-mails and the newest fads, possibly glean from the pious life of a fictional girl who lived centuries ago? In answer to this thought-provoking question, I would like to share some of the lessons I have learned from Elsie’s Godly life.
I first began reading the Elsie Dinsmore series when I was a young girl, and I enjoyed them very much. However, to me, Elsie was a spiritual giant, a mirror of Christ’s holiness — in short, everything that I thought I couldn’t be. I realized that as a Christian, my goal was to become “more like Christ”, but I did not understand how to become more like Christ. This is one of the many things that Elsie taught me through her books.
By following her example, I am learning how to obey my parents whole-heartedly and respond to them respectfully. Elsie was not sinless, but she was always quick to confess offenses and ask forgiveness for any wrong-doing on her part, for God had blessed her with a sensitive conscience.
One of the most important lessons that Elsie taught me was the importance of faith in the Christian walk. Faith? In my own personal life I struggled with trusting God. It seemed so easy to say “I’m trusting God” when everything was sunshine and happiness, but as soon as the horizon seemed to be fast disappearing in a cloud of gloom, I would begin to doubt and fear. As the daughter of a Navy man, we transferred from one state to another several times. I was forced to leave behind family members and friends, not knowing if or when I would see them again. That in itself was painful, but because I was not trusting God — because I was fearing the future — it became even more difficult. As I read the Elsie books, I realized that faith was lacking in my spiritual life. Elsie, on the other hand, had established faith in her Lord Jesus Christ as the foundation for everything she did or thought. Her life was permeated with the wonderful perfume of faith, which scented every word uttered in conversation. Her example of faithful obedience to any and all of God’s commands, no matter how difficult they seemed, touched my heart and enabled me, also, to put my future completely in the trustworthy hands of Jesus. When we received orders to leave our home in California, after residing there for five years, and move to Virginia, I was able to accept the separation from my best friends, my great-grandparents and other dear family members, and my beloved pets — but it was not of my own strength. God had worked in my life through the lessons on submission that Elsie had taught me. He gave me the strength to follow His way.
I was also convicted of a lack of love for God and His Word. This is a quality that Elsie demonstrated throughout her life — a devotion to loving service for Christ and an undying enthusiasm for the Scriptures. She was an effective witness for her Savior and proclaimed her faith openly through her actions, thoughts, and motives. Never once did she take the Bible for granted, or forget to read its pages daily, as I so often did. She was never too busy to enjoy a spiritually refreshing “quiet time” with her Master, as I so often was. Elsie’s testimony encouraged me to diligently set aside a time each day when I could fellowship with Jesus. She made Him feel real to me. As I read the conversations she lead with an unbeliever, I learned how to share my faith in Christ with others in a fashion that was meaningful and convicting, yet also simple and easy to understand.
It was not just her Godly girlhood that inspired me. Her sweet womanly character and tender motherhood set a goal before me — a goal that, with the help of my Lord, I would not compromise; a goal that, with His grace, I would reach! It was the standard of pure and contented courtship; for, after the trial and testing of the Lord, He brought forth gold out of the furnace. In place of the ungodly, deceitful man that led her so easily astray and captured her heart in the beginning, God blessed her with love for a wonderful Godly man. Elsie’s struggles also revealed the importance of following the commands of those whom God has set in authority over me. Without the leadership of her father, without him by her side, Elsie was a vulnerable target for sin’s greedy clutches. She escaped through God’s grace, and I was warned through her trying experience.
I am anticipating the time when I may follow Elsie’s example as she exhibited devoted and loving care for her young children. They grew up nurtured in the admonition of the Lord, faithfully taught to treasure, and learn from, God’s Word; to respect their parents; and to cherish their siblings. Hers was a close-knit family, but when she lost her husband somewhat early in their marriage, she did not pine away from grief or become depressed. Forever her eyes were fixed upon her Lord — her faith stayed strong, and she trusted that she would see her beloved again.
Through all the lessons that Elsie teaches me as I follow her along the ups and downs of her life, one character quality in particular is continually bearing fruit. In it is buried the secret of her close walk with the Lord, her devotion to family and friends, and her changeless obedience to the Word of God. From its root springs the numerous other character qualities shown in her life — for this one quality is the foundation for all others. This root is her faith — her reliance upon Godly principles, trust in His promises, and unmoving assurance of salvation. It is this faith that is shown in every spectrum of her life — as she moves throughout the circles of family, friends and acquaintances. It is this faith that enables her to stand strong upon the foundation she laid in God’s Word when the trials and struggles come. It is this faith that grants her the opportunities she receives to witness to others about her Heavenly Father’s love and provision. It is this faith that is poured out upon the pages of the Elsie books, through the discussions and conversations held between her and those with whom she comes into contact. It is this faith that permeates the whole meaning of her Christ-filled life. It is this faith that Elsie Dinsmore passes on to all the girls everywhere — even to those caught up into the whirl of the technological twenty-first century. God’s faithfulness never changes. He is the God of not only the eighteenth century, but also of the twenty-first century, and He promises to be with us always.
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them [your enemies], for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Jesus promised, “I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20b). The promise of His presence is still available, even to those in the twenty-first century. This is Elsie’s unfading, unchanging, unending and priceless legacy — the secret to a happy, fulfilled life which is only possible through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
ABOUT KATIE TILLETT
My name is Katie Hannah Tillett and I am 14 ½ years old. I am homeschooled, and I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia. My family’s household includes my dad, who is a chief in the Navy; my mom, who diligently homeschools the 5 school-aged children; my 5 younger brothers (Josiah — 12, Luke — 11, Ezra — 9, John — 6, and Micah — 7 months) and my younger sister (Grace, who is 3). Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to make up dramatic stories. I would talk to myself and think up fantastic tales while folding laundry, making my bed, cleaning my room, or fulfilling other tasks around the house. I am now in the 9th grade and I still love to read and write, but now my stories are written with the desire to share my hope in Christ with those who read them. My ambition is to become a published author and proclaim the Gospel with the help of pen and paper.
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