Nina Coleman here—currently on staff as Bindery Manager. I have the great privilege of making Lamplighter books and the greater privilege of reading them! One of my new favorites is The Wide, Wide World by Susan Warner. While I was initially drawn to the beautiful cover and large size (this is the thickest book we publish), it was the story within that kept me coming back for more.

As soon as you open the pages you’ll get whisked away into the life of Ellen Montgomery—a young girl forced to leave her beloved mother for a new life in Upstate New York. Lamplighter is also based in Upstate New York, and the story of the young girl who was called to a place she’d never been before was all too familiar. I had just moved and become full-time staff when I started reading this book. Looking back, the timing seems providential.

As I continued reading, I found a mother who loved her daughter more than words could express; but Mrs. Montgomery is too ill to care for her only daughter, so she must send her away. Although the sacrifice is bitter, Mrs. Montgomery knows she must walk in faith for the sake of her daughter. Giving her the parting gift of a small, beautifully-bound Bible, her prayer is that Ellen would find Jesus as her Savior and Friend.

While Ellen promises to try to draw closer to the Lord, she has the honesty to admit that she knows none other than her mother as her dearest friend. She longs to please her mother, but will her attachment prevent her from pleasing her God? The onset of Ellen’s journey of faith is reminiscent of Matthew 10:37-39,

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

These words almost become prophetic to what Ellen is about to experience. As she struggles to fit into her new life, she, like most, seeks comfort. Finding only temporary solutions to numb the pain, she finally finds a truth to anchor her in the midst of adversity.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. ~Psalms 62:5-6

But will this anchor be enough? As her trials escalate, Ellen learns what it means to truly have faith. As I found myself in a comparable situation to that of Ellen—away from family and the easy familiarity of being at home—I needed to learn to trust in the provision and love that can only be found in Jesus. It was only when I entrusted myself completely to his care that I could be entirely at peace. Once that took place in my heart, new opportunities took place, and my life began to blossom. Granted, it’s a lesson I’m very much still learning, but in the same way Christ is faithful to Ellen in the book, I’ve seen his faithfulness to me over and over during my time here at Lamplighter.  

As Ellen learned, and I continue to learn, only Jesus can truly satisfy, even if one feels flung about into the wide, wide world. The Wide, Wide World unlocks our greatest purpose, the very reason we were made: love Jesus, because he first loved us.

Nina Coleman

Thank you for joining us for another Character in Crisis! Next week we’ll be picking up with Rising to the Top—a personal favorite of our very own Graphic Designer/Marketing Director, Rainey Gleich. Stay tuned for more insights on the next Character in Crisis!

Till next time,

Molly Mayo
Writer/Editor

Additional Book Recommendations:

• Trusty Tries to Fly (Ages 2+)

• Amy and Her Brothers (Ages 9+)

• Winter’s Folly (Ages 9+)

• Stepping Heavenward (Ages 12+)