By Lara Gourlay
Liverpool, England August 14th 1843
Lillian chewed on her lower lip trying to decide how to begin. After a moment, she dipped her pen in the ink-well on her desk and starting writing.
Dear Elizabeth,
I am pleased to inform you that I have received a letter from Lord William Cosgrove, offering me the position of governess to my Lord’s three middle children. I accepted with much joy and will travel to his country estate, Elm’s Grove Hall, on the morrow.
I look forward to teaching again, but in truth my decision was greatly impacted by the approval from my parents. They believe it will be a great chance for me to expand my education, I agree with them that it most certainly will be a change from what I am used to. I look forward to the new challenge of teaching 3 children of varying ages. I ask you to pray for me during this time of change. I will miss you dreadfully while I am away but I have hope of coming home for a month or so over Christmas to be with my family.
As ever your affectionate friend,
Lillian
Lillian laid her pen down and re-read what she had written before folding, sealing and addressing the letter. She looked around at her bedroom and sighed. I really must finish packing up my things before dinner or I will be up all night trying to make sure I didn’t forget anything.
Lillian rose and walked to her bed where several of her dresses were laid out. I must remember to bring my sheet music and writing tablet--I would hate to leave those behind.
Lillian mentally went through the growing list in her head, trying to make sure she didn’t forget anything she might need for the months ahead. Just as she was going to ring for a maid to help her finish, Lillian heard a knock at her door. She called a soft “Come in,” and her older sister Margaret entered closing the door softly behind her. Lillian smiled in greeting. Even though they were sisters, there was very little resemblance between them.
Margaret had honey blond hair and warm blue eyes while Lillian had a rosy complexion with hazel green eyes and curly dark hair.
“What brings you up here?”
“I was coming to see if you needed any help packing,” Margaret replied, looking at the almost full trunk and the clothes piled on the bed. “But it looks like you have a great start on it already.”
Lillian laughed. “It seems like packing is the only activity where I’m not being completely overwhelmed by my own thoughts.”
“Are you very nervous then?” Margaret queried, looking concerned. Lillian thought about it, trying to put into words what she had been feeling.
“The excitement is starting to mix with dread. I’m excited about this new adventure but I’m not sure what I will find when I move beyond my comfort zone.”
Margaret moved to sit down on the bed next to Lillian and took her hands in both of her own.
“Lil, this is just the first step in a path more wonderful than either of us can imagine. God doesn’t promise us that we will always know where we are going, but He does promise us that He will never leave us or forsake us.”
Lillian laid her head on Margaret’s shoulder. “Thanks Mae, I needed that reminder today.”
Margaret stroked Lillian’s dark head as she said, “That’s what God intended when He made older sisters. Now let’s finish packing your trunk.”
⌘
Lillian took a deep breath and stepped on board the train that would take her away from her family.
I must be crazy, she thought as she climbed the last step to enter the passenger car. That is the only conclusion I can draw. I could have found a job closer to home--surely one where I could go home on the weekends and still see my family. She sighed and tucked a dark curl behind her ear.
Stop it! She reprimanded herself silently. You are on your way now and there is no turning back.
After this sensible advice, Lillian walked down the aisle until she found a seat near a window looking out at the countryside. She settled her small bag at her feet and watched as the train station slowly disappeared behind them.
⌘
Lillian quietly slipped out of the girl’s room after tucking them in for the night. She had settled in quickly to her new role as governess to the three middle Cosgrove children. Lillian smiled at the thought of her young charges. They filled her days with a wonderful purpose.
She was alone tonight, like many other nights. As Lillian walked past the music room with the family piano in it, she slowed, thinking I haven’t played in so long and there really isn’t anyone home who would hear me.
Her mind made up, she walked to her room and gathered her sheet music. Moments later Lillian slipped onto the piano bench and rested her hands in her lap. Slowly she raised them to rest on the smoothness of the keys, her fingers finding the notes of their own accord.
As Lillian played, she picked out melodies and built on them until the song that flowed from the piano was a living expression of her praise and adoration to God. None of this would have been possible without His saving grace.
A scrap of verse she had written earlier that year, floated through her mind as if blown by the breeze.
“Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,”
It seemed even more applicable today than it had before. Her heart seemed to fairly sing with the words and her lips gladly followed suit until she was putting the melody she had been working on, together with the words she had written.
“O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.
Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.
All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.
Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.”
The words resonated deep within in her, calling to remembrance everything that she had experienced as she grew in her relationship with Christ. What would she have done without God’s peace and presence in her life? Lillian didn’t know but she was humbled by God’s love and mercy.
Father, truly you are Fairer than anything in Heaven or on Earth. Thank you for your loving kindness towards me.
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