Caroline is a Marianne Dashwood, and Mary is an Elinor Dashwood, despite their birth order.
I know I said in the post on school that we always know how Mary feels, but I should have qualified that by saying "about school." She loves school and learning, and isn't afraid of hard work. We usually have very little idea what she's thinking or feeling about everything else. She has very deep emotions that she keeps well-hidden. Only occasionally does she "let loose" and cry or get angry. On the negative side of this, Mary seems to have a harder time showing affection, hugging others, or being sympathetic to others' pain. I'm not saying that she's cold or unfeeling--she's NOT--just that she doesn't usually let her emotions show.
Caroline, on the other hand, wears her emotions on her sleeve...and on her chest...and on her back...and all over her skirt...She tears up easily, gets angry or upset fairly often, but also shows great sympathy for others easily. She is extremely affectionate and it hurts her to see others in pain. She is learning to watch what she says and not let her emotions rule her, to stop and think before flying off the handle.
Those of you who have known me all my life already know that when I was Caroline's age, I would have scored as Marianne. But the Lord has taught me through my life's circumstances how to be an Elinor. Learning self-control is a hard lesson, but I think God has brought me to a place of knowing how to balance my emotions with reason. It's something I still pray about every morning.
6 comments:
I hear you on praying to be more like an Elinor. I really wanted to skew the results and come out as an Elinor! I took the test three times and changed my answers some but still came out as Marianne every time! haha... But the Lord is still working on me, and for that I'm very thankful.
Shan: Of course, when I took the test I came out as Elizabeth Bennett, who is somewhere between the two Dashwood sisters in temperament, which makes sense for me. I'd still rather be more like Elinor. Love you!
Alice, I am SO glad God made you exactly who you are. We all balance each other out, and how boring it would be if we were all Elinors! You are a wonderful sister and friend and woman.
Love, Mary
Mary, it's not often that I cry before 7 a.m., (especially since I've gotten better control of my emotions) but I cried when I read your comment. God has blessed me so much by giving me two older sisters like you and Ruthie. I think you are wonderful, too, and thank God every day for you. Love, Alice
At least I was correct about your sister, Mary! (Hi, Mary) I am very curious about what Ruthie, aka Tree, scored. My memories of Ruthie are so faint (except for the tree part). I am tempted to call her an Elinor, as well.
I love how God works with our weaknesses to make us stronger. I am thrilled I became an Elizabeth, rather than a Lydia, which, at one point in my life, was entirely possible. Let us all take the test again in 20 years and see if we score differently!
Denise
Denise: Isn't it amazing to see how God works in our lives? There's a song I like that says "He's been faithful, faithful to me. Looking back, His love and mercy I see..." We can see His hand at work in even the direst circumstances in our lives even if at the time we thought God was far away from us.
Love you! Alice
Post a Comment