Jody Hedlund Quotes

Remember, we show courage in many ways.

I don't know what my pathetic life is going to look like now, but I nee you to help me survive.

Her little head rested against his undervest, and for the first time since he'd galloped at full speed out of Forestville, his heartbeat finally slowed to a steady rhythm. He lowered his head and, through the layers of wet garments, kissed Gretchen's head. Finally Sophie's cries came to a halt, replaced by her hungry gulps. Carl wished he could bend and press a kiss against the baby's soft head too. He loved them. He loved them just as if they were his own flesh and blood. The revelation sent a swell of emotion through his chest so strong it threatened to engulf him. And he loved Annalisa. Desperately.

We have no control over the future. We can only make the most of the present.

Sometimes, when we think we've come to a dead end, we've arrived instead at God's stepping-stone on the way to bigger plans.

Where's Ben?" she asked after another painful swallow. The angle of the light in the room signaled morning. She'd survived the first horrible night of the illness. That was something for which to be grateful. "He didn't want to go. But your mama kicked him out yesterday." Phoebe bounded to the hearth fire and removed another pot of steaming water she had dangling from a gridiron that belonged to the kitchen. Susanna fought a wave of dizziness and frustration. "But don't you worry none." Phoebe returned to the bedside with the steaming pot, the scent of sassafras and rum drifting under the canopy of her bed. "It's gonna take a pack of wolves to keep that man from coming back to see you.

Where would the wrongdoing stop if everyone acted out whatever moral code felt right in the moment?

Although part of me ached for more, I could do nothing less than go on loving her, even though she might never reciprocate the same way. I'd continue to accept her for who she was, and I'd have to be satisfied with what she was able to give me, even if it would never be enough.

The idea of being trapped in the north for the winter had given Tessa pause for only a moment before she'd cast it aside. She was going on an adventure, she'd reminded herself. And adventures always had an element of danger in them. That's what made them exciting.

You shouldn't be visiting the saloons by yourself," Connell said. She pulled off her knit cap. "I didn't hear you volunteering to come with me earlier." "If I'd known you were going to march around to all the saloons, I would have offered to tag along." Her curly hair tumbled down around her face and framed eyes that widened. "I have a hard time believing you'd tag along with anyone." "Next time try me." She hesitated and her eyes flickered as if she wanted to believe him but couldn't. "For your information, I've been searching the dregs all winter, and I've been taking care of myself just fine." Connell shook his head. "You're just asking for trouble." "I'm not afraid of trouble." "I can see that." He liked her spunk and her bravery.

Just because the whole world changes its opinion about something doesn't mean God changes his.

I've come to believe one of the reasons God designed marriage was to help us grow in holiness and character. We get to practice on a daily basis being humble, kind, sacrificial, self-controlled, and so much more.

You can't be perfect. No one is. That's why we need God.

If only I'd realized earlier that it never pays to fight evil with evil. But after watching my father die, I'd been consumed with bitterness and had allowed it to lead me astray from what was righteous and pleasing to God.

He wiped his thumb across the trail of her tears. If I could, I would get the whole world for you.

It was as if she'd been stuck her entire life in a tiny overcrowded corner that had defined her existence, ignorant of the spacious world that existed beyond her.

Her words made her pause. She couldn't have anything that was truly worthwhile without fighting for it-her farm, her family, and perhaps even love
-Annalisa

Her compliment from the dance came back to him, about how handsome he'd looked when he held the baby. She approached and held out her arms to Sophie, who gave a squeal and began to pump her legs in excitement. "I suppose I'm looking dashing again," he said softly, ignoring the frown Dirk had shot him. Annalisa's smile widened. "Ja. Very dashing." He relinquished the baby, but not before his fingers met hers, the warmth of her hand begging him to caress it, hold it, and never let go. "When she's done eating, you must give her back to me." He tried to make his voice playful. "I have my image to uphold.

We're all born depraved, Mrs. Grew. We all have bad blood. Thus, we all have need of the cleansing blood of the Savior.

I think we're as different as land and water.'
'James and I were very different too.'
'You were? But you seem so good together, so much in harmony.' And so passionate, but Victoria bit back the too-intimate words.
'It's taken years and lots of hard work to develop that kind of unity.

She might not be able to eradicate every prejudice around her, but she had to start somewhere to make a difference. And the best place for that was with herself.

Do you not think we would be wiser to cherish each moment we have as God's gift? I would say 'tis better to love and be loved, if only for a day, than to have not loved at all.

Marriage doesn't put an end to one's ability to serve God and bring him glory. In fact, I've seen many married couples who have done more for God together than was possible as individuals.

I was afraid he would pull away, that he would retreat into himself and resist my comfort. But

Being kind was more important than looking pretty.

But she'd learned instead to hope in the one Beacon that would always be there, no matter what darkness came her way.

Would not the world be a better place if a man simply lived in humility and loved his brother or sister as himself, regardless of one's birth?

I have searched far and wide ... he whispered, and have finally found the one my heart desires.

Is there ever anything safe about serving the Lord with one's whole heart?

Tis often the rarity that makes something so precious, wouldn't you say? If I were to have such extravagance daily then I might begin to think the jewels and the praise are ordinary rather than treasure them as I do.

God wanted him to go to Him with his deepest needs, to stop looking elsewhere, so that he could be made whole again.

I couldn't change it. Couldn't hide it. Couldn't deny it. I was unique and beautiful in my own way.

The other two knights would have flattered me to put me at ease. But he was different, somehow bolder and requiring boldness of me at the same time. My

Alex let out a sigh, pushing down a swell of jealousy. He didn't want Michael to like Tessa so much. His brother's affection would only complicate matters when Alex finally swept Tessa off her feet.

I'm sorry, Eli. I should have stayed at Snake Fort - " "No." He grabbed her arm and dragged her against his chest. She fell against him with a gasp, her body stiff. His arms circled her waist and pinned her in place so that even if she'd tried to escape from him she couldn't. "We're staying together." His whisper was harsh. The silky loose strands of her hair blew against his lips. He released a long breath and softened his voice. "Wherever that might be, I want us to be together.

Education has the capability of making women better wives and mothers. Since families are the cornerstone of our society, we should strengthen women's abilities to teach their children because then we strengthen our society as a whole.

Commitment was easy when everything was going well. But it counted most when things were falling apart.

My father always said that our enemy, the devil, is doing his best to get us to look to everything and everyone else to save us from our pains and sorrows. The devil doesn't want us to take those pains to the Lord, because he knows that when we cry out to God with our need, He'll rescue us from the pit.

Tell me what you want me to do, and I'll do it, he whispered again. I'll do anything for you.
I closed my eyes at the comfort huh that came from his words. I'd had to be strong for so long. I'd had to fight and scrap and struggle to stay alive. Everyone else depended upon me. And it felt so good to lean on someone else for a change and to know I wasn't alone.

Ben gave an exasperated sigh. Then he strode toward her, seized her arm, and dragged her to the nearest table. "Who's coming?" she asked, too surprised by his actions to resist. "Lieutenant Wolfe and his assistant." Ben plopped onto the bench. Before she knew what was happening, he'd tugged her down, leaving her little choice but to land upon his lap. "Mr. Ross!" She gasped. "Whatever is the meaning of such familiarity?" He slid one arm around her and at the same time began unbuttoning his waistcoat. Heat crept up her neck into her cheeks. She pushed against his shoulders and attempted to rise. "Stay put." His arm around her waist pinned her, holding her prisoner.

He urged his horse forward, his body straining, ready to be on his way. But at the last second he looked back at her and swerved, drawing the beast up beside her. From underneath the brim of his hat, he peered down at her. The intensity in the blue depths dragged her in until she felt as if she were drowning. "You've done good so far, Priscilla." At the unexpected words of praise, she sucked in a breath. His gaze dropped to her lips, lingered there for an instant before returning to her eyes, darker, bluer. Her lungs stopped working, and she clutched a hand to her chest. "I'll see your pretty face in a couple days." She nodded, too breathless to respond. He kicked his heels into his horse and left her standing, watching after him, wondering if he was taking her heart with him.

And the only hope-perhaps the real hope he'd been missing all along-was found in God.

Each one of us is imperfect in some way. Perhaps God designs it so. Then none of us can claim to be like him, the only true perfect being.

Don't get stuck, Mercy. Don't get stuck thinking you don't matter or you're not important enough. I know for people like us who come from lowly backgrounds, we all too often accept our place at the bottom and think that's where we belong. But that's just not true. God didn't create some people to be better than others. He created everyone to have equal value.

I held myself still, hardly daring to breathe. What was happening to me? Now that I was dressed as a woman, was I beginning to feel like one too? Perhaps I'd acted the part of a man for so long that I'd forgotten what it was like to even be a woman.

Her face a mask of fury and determination.

So, I see we meet again." He offered a smile. Although he could clearly see from her rounded abdomen that she was expecting a baby, he couldn't keep from noticing once again that she was a lovely woman. "I have to say, we didn't officially meet," he continued, trying to put her at ease. "Unless of course you go by the title Frau Maple Syrup." "I'm Frau Werner. Annalisa Werner." "And I'm Carl Richards." He put his arm to his waist and bowed as if he were the grand duke and she a duchess. "I'm Gretchen." Annalisa's daughter let go of her oma and turned to him. "Ah, I was expecting something like Raindrop." He turned to the little girl and bowed to her. "But I like Gretchen much better. It's a lovely name for a princess.

I wish you could find real love, Annalisa," he finally said softly. "Maybe your new groom will be the kind of man who will give you the love you deserve." "I don't expect it. I've also learned that it's not necessary, that there are more important things in surviving." "But survival becomes much more bearable when joy and love are a part of our lives.

God doesn't expect us to be perfect women or perfect missionaries. Rather, He wants us to learn to lean upon Him more, to let Him be our help during those stormy blasts.

In our marriage,' Zelma continued, ' we can let the difficulties drive us apart or drive us to our knees.

There are times when we need to hold out faith and hope even when the circumstances seem impossible.

If Bennet could accept me, then surely it was past time to fully accept myself for the way I was. I couldn't change it. Couldn't hide it. Couldn't deny it. I was unique and beautiful in my own way. I had to learn to love myself unconditionally, just the way that Bennet had begun to love me.

We can't do anything on our own to be righteous. But that when we turn to Him, He'll fill us with His goodness.

The decision was too important to make lightly without more prayer.

My vanity suggested I should take offense, but the deeper part of me was relieved- relieved that he was noble enough to want to make such a sacrifice from his heart rather than from his desire to impress me.

You will marry me foremost for love, will you not?

If they made it out of the well alive, he'd stay and fight for her no matter the cost. He wouldn't run away again, not even if Peter put a gun to his head. He'd do whatever he had to in order to win her heart. He'd beg her to forgive him. And then he'd beg her to marry him.

I'm not alone. God's presence is with me wherever I go.

The Bible says not to let the sun go down on your anger,' Dad said. 'I've applied that to our marriage, and it's helped us work through plenty of problems and disappointments.'
'You've had problems?'
At the surprise in his tone, Mom laughed. 'Of course we have. We're both sinners, aren't we?

I'm sorry about the floor," she whispered. "I hope you'll be able to fall asleep." "Oh, I won't be able to sleep, and it won't be because of the floor." Heat splashed over her, sending a fresh flush over her skin. Her mind scrambled to find an appropriate answer, but she could think of nothing except the softness of his hands. "Good night, Priscilla," he whispered.

I suppose you'll not let me rest until I admit that I like your company?"
"You're getting to know me well ... "
"Very well, I'll admit. You're slightly more than tolerable.

I have not one feeling of regret at the step which I have taken but count it a privilege to go forth in the name of my Master, cheerfully bearing the toil and privation that we expect to encounter. May you be encouraged and inspired by her bravery to know that in whatever path you are traversing, no matter how difficult, the Master will walk alongside you, helping you each step of the way.

Besides, every woman appreciates when a man takes the time and effort to demonstrate his love, not for what he can get out of it but for what he can give.

Sometimes we have to take risks, even put our lives in jeopardy to do what's right.

Even so, I was growing more anxious to make my escape and fly like an arrow as far away as I could. But I'd made a deal with Collin, and I couldn't break it after just one day, could I?

You're following the Lord wholeheartedly, yet you're missing out on the forgiveness part. God's not just in the business of saving us from our sins. He's also in the business of forgiving those sins and putting them as far as the east is from the west.

My theory is that every little bit has the potential to help. We just have to learn where to focus our limited time and energy, because we obviously can't do it all.

I found something for you." He ignored the pangs of hunger and lowered himself to one knee before her. Her eyes widened. He swung his hand around from behind his back and held out a lone orchid the same shade as the moon overhead. And once again, he wished he knew what to say, how to talk to her, how to be more sophisticated. Instead, he thrust it before her. She tentatively took it from him and lifted questioning eyes. "For your collection of specimens," he offered. Her fingers caressed the drooping petals. "I think it's a yellow lady's slipper." He didn't know nor did he care. He only knew that he wanted one of her rare smiles. For a long intense moment, he held his breath. Finally her lips curved into a smile. "Thank you." His pulse jolted forward and he swallowed hard. "You're welcome." What was happening to him? Why did he want to make her happy? When she lifted the flower to her nose and took a deep breath, her smile moved to her eyes . . . And to his heart.

Eli Ernest, you're exasperating me." He grinned. "I've been told that's one of my best qualities." "You mean worst." "That too.

Is it time to go?" she asked, propping herself onto her elbow. He tugged up the collar of his coat and slipped his feet into his boots. Then he looked at her with a seriousness that sent a jolt of fear through her. "We can't leave." "Sure we can." She pushed herself up but was immediately overcome by a wave of dizziness. "Even if you were up to leaving, which you're not" - he nodded at her weak attempt at sitting up - "I let the horse go last night. It was her only chance of surviving. Hopefully she made her way back to the stable." "We could walk - " "Not without snowshoes. The snow's too deep and the wind too harsh." She leaned back again, suddenly weary and cold. "Then we're stuck here?" "Until a rescue party comes for us." He pulled on his gloves. "Or until spring. Whichever comes first." He gave a halfhearted grin at his attempt at a joke.

Much as I'd enjoyed Sir Collin's bantering and easy ways, as much as I liked his goodness and generosity, my feelings for him weren't yet deep enough to take something so extraordinary.

She smiled, and her smile was filled with all of the sweetness and forgiveness that she offered so freely - and that he didn't deserve. But maybe, as with God, it was time to finally stop condemning himself and accept the gift.

The key to a good marriage is to do all you can to uplift your wife and treasure her - even in her worst moments.

Elizabeth realized that for one who was sightless, the girl could see more than most.

She'd made a wreck of things, but thankfully God could take the wreckage and turn it into something beautiful.

Courage can be displayed in many forms, my lord,' I said gently. 'Sometimes it's evident in the knight charging forward with the lance on his steed. But perhaps it can also take the form of a head bowed before the enemy.

If you admit your fear to yourself and to him, then maybe this time you can face it instead of running away.' Even as he spoke the words to her, they hit him in the gut. He could dole out advice. But he wasn't great at following it. He'd been running away from his past for ten years.

Bulldog grunted. And I knew the matter was settled. My pulse thrummed with excitement. I was going to marry Juliana Wessex.

Lily had to admit, she liked the way Connell McCormick peeked at her over the rims of his spectacles. From his corner spot of the deserted dining room, behind his stacks of books, he pretended to work. But she could feel his gaze upon her, tickling her, making her insides flutter. There was something about his intense green eyes and his attempts to hide his obvious fascination with her that warmed her and made her feel womanly in a way she hadn't experienced before.

My sister always said if we're stronger in body, that just means we've got more responsibility from the good Lord to take care of any who are weaker.

He touched the tender skin of her palm and swiped a dot of blood off the tip of her finger. Without thinking, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her finger. She drew in a sharp breath but didn't make an effort to pull away from him. He met her gaze. The silkiness in the depths sent a tremor through his body. He pressed his lips against her smooth skin again, tasting the saltiness of her blood. His lips brushed a path to her palm, and in the tender, moist middle he pressed another kiss. Her chest rose and fell in rapid succession, but she still made no move. Instead, she watched him, almost as if she was remembering the kiss he'd given her on their wedding day, the same kiss that still haunted him. Maybe it was past time for him to give her another.

Let them go and come back here!" Dirk's voice grew harder with anger. "Or else - " "Or else what?" Carl spun around. He'd had enough of Dirk's threats. Who did the man think he was, anyway, lording over him? Did Dirk relish the fact that for once in his life he had power over a nobleman? "What are you going to do?" he shouted. "What?" Dirk rose from the table. His glare sparked with jealousy. "Are you going to tell them the truth about who I am?" Carl said. "Is that it?" Annalisa stiffened. Peter and Uri stopped eating, their greasy fingers suspended over their plates. "Well, why don't I save you the trouble?" Carl continued. "I'll tell them myself.

For it is often the hardest tasks that build the most character.

I guess I figured that as long as I was with people I loved, I was home. It didn't matter where we were or what kind of place we lived in. We had each other and that was enough.

I realized then, this connection with him would be difficult to cut loose, that his presence was weaving into the tapestry of my life, and that I had no wish to untangle the woven strands any more than I wished to release his hold on my hand.

You don't have to let his definition of success be yours

Though her hair was damp and unkempt, face smudged and weary, her garments soggy and splattered with all manner of filth, for a reason he couldn't explain, she had grown more beautiful and not less.

No one's a lost cause. You have just as much potential as anyone else.

The love within them shone as brightly as the lighthouse beam on the darkest, stormiest night. It broke through her confusion and heartache and filled her with a warm glow.

The power of giving life and taking by death belong to God alone. He won't allow what He hasn't already ordained. And since He fixed the number of days your mother would walk on this earth, neither you nor anyone could do anything to prolong it, not even if you helped in a dozen ways.

We're human. We break things. It's what we do with the brokenness that counts.

Arabella fumbled in her pocket, retrieved the silver cross, and held it out to Pete's dad. "You gave this to Pete, and he gave it to me. It has blessed us both and has taught us to seek after the One who can truly give strength and courage in our greatest hour of need. Now I return it to you. May God give you courage in the days to come.

You're safe now.

When things don't turn out the way we want, about the only thing we can do is know God is still there piecing together all the scraps of the events in our lives the way He has planned. He sees the big picture even when we don't.