August and Lovely.

No, sadly that is not the month, or the forecast. The ground is covered with snow, it’s cold. Winter seems to have chased fall off the stage leaving little hope for even an encore. Such a dreary and cool summer we had, with a fall cut short, it does tempt one to lament, but I will choose a thankful heart as only thus will I live with a joyful spirit and who wants to knowingly choose misery?

But back to August and Lovely. What *am* I referring to? Sweet words in the introduction to Good Wives (Louisa May Alcott) painting a picture of Mr. March who was absent for most of the duration of Little Women. I must say my heart warmed to him immediately.

The war is over, and Mr. March safely at home, busy with his books and the small parish which found in him a minister by nature as by grace, a quiet, studious man, rich in the wisdom that is better than learning, the charity which calls all mankind `brother', the piety that blossoms into character, making it august and lovely.

These attributes, in spite of poverty and the strict integrity which shut him out from the more worldly successes, attracted to him many admirable persons, as naturally as sweet herbs draw bees, and as naturally he gave them the honey into which fifty years of hard experience had distilled no bitter drop. Earnest young men found the gray-headed scholar as young at heart as they, thoughtful or troubled women instinctively brought their doubts to him, sure of finding the gentlest sympathy, the wisest counsel. Sinners told their sins to the pure-hearted old man and were both rebuked and saved. Gifted men found a companion in him. Ambitious men caught glimpses of nobler ambitions than their own, and even worldlings confessed that his beliefs were beautiful and true…”

Good Wives, Chapter One.

As naturally as sweet herbs draw bees… *sigh*. A lovely sentiment. An all around picture of loveliness and grace, really. I think this is such a wonderful picture of Christlikeness in so many ways. Mmmmm.... emotionally delicious.