A Challenge from Anne Bradstreet

In my religion classes, I expect to read things that challenge my theology and my thinking and push me to pursue Christ. I don't always expect that in my other classes and so when I was reading Anne Bradstreet's poems for my American Literature class, I was surprised and delighted by what I found.  Here was a woman who had her priorities straight and could verbalize them in an amazing way.

She wrote a poem shortly after her home burned down and her reflections on it caused me to question myself and what I was holding onto.  Here's an excerpt from what she wrote:

"And when I could no longer look,

I blest His name that gave and took,

That laid my goods now in the dust.

Yea, so it was, and so 'twas just.

It was His own, it was not mine,

Far be it that I should repine;

He might of all justly bereft

But yet sufficient for us left."

I love her view - her heavenward gaze even during this very difficult time.  Anne Bradstreet was living in the "New World" of America - rough wilderness and a hard life - and here her house and all her belonging burn to the ground. And what is her response?

She blesses the God who gives and takes away (quoting from Job 1:21).

She reminds herself that God is just and what He did in this situation was just and right - for aren't all of her belongings God's already? 

My favorite part of the excerpt above, however, is the last two lines - God might take all from us, but there is sufficient left for us.  Why?

 Because she still has Christ.

Later in the poem, she goes on to ask herself:

"Then straight I again my heart to chide,

And did the wealth on earth abide?

Didst fix thy hope on mold'ring dust?

The arm of flesh didst make thy trust?

…

Thou hast an house on high erect,

Framed by that mighty Architect,

With glory richly furnished,

Stands permanent though this be fled."

Here Anne asks herself if her treasures are here on earth, reminding her forgetful mind that what really counts is that which is stored up for us in Heaven and being in the presence of Christ.  Was she trusting in earthly belongings that would return to dust?  Or humans who would disappoint? 

Oh, no.  Instead, she reminds herself that God, the mighty Architect, has built her an everlasting house in ever. 

What are earthly belongings when you have Christ?

I was challenged by this poem - am I holding tightly to the things of this world?  Is my trust in the things that will fade and pass away?  

Or do I fix my gaze on heaven and delight in the presence of God, knowing that He is sufficient for me?

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  2 Corinthians 12:9

Excerpts quoted from:

Bradstreet, Anne. "Here Follows Some Verses upon the Burning of Our House, July 10th, 1666". American Literature. Ed.Julia Reidhead. 7th ed. Vol A. Beginnings to 1820. New York; W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2007. Pp. 212-213.