Amy was inspired to write this book by reflecting that most books of comfort for sick people are written by the well and so they miss the mark. Thus, from her own personal experiences she has gathered a priceless treasury of helpful thoughts for those who are ill.
Amy Wilson Carmichael was a Protestant Christian missionary in India, who opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur. She served in India for 55 years without furlough and wrote many books about the missionary work there.
This book was given to me by a friend who is chronically ill, so it meant a lot to me. I read one chapter almost every morning and came away encouraged. The author sometimes used language that was a little lofty, but the insights into inescapable pain were reassuring - especially the thought that he who made the green vitality of spring can also turn our autumn decay into gold. Similarly, can he who loved us to the point of death not be trusted with our pain in this life? Admissions of weariness and lack of answers made this a realistic daily devotion and one I may read again.
Amy Carmichael is one of my heroes. She founded an orphanage in India, died in 1951, yet the orphanage thrives today. I am paralyzed and confined to my bed, as Amy was for the twenty years of her life. She wrote dozens of books during that time. This particular book is compiled of letters she received from fellow suffers and the beautifully written encouraging words she penned to each person who worte to her. It helped me put things into perspective and strengthened my faith in God. I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles.
Something in a sufferer wants one who understands. This little book is just that: from a sufferer to a sufferer. It's not mere commiseration. (If it were it would be worse than useless. Every sufferer knows it's easy to go further down.) It's little comforts -- a quote from another author, a phrase from a Bible verse, poetry that joins so many thoughts from the author's life and experience -- each chapter is like a little letter or article saying the little things that mean so much to someone in pain. This book is just what I wanted several years ago when I went through major surgery and recovery. When the tiredness is too great for large books and long chapters, but a hurting heart and body need encouragement, those are found within these pages. One caveat: Amy Carmichael criticizes the text of "More Love to Thee". If she had only followed the thought to its conclusion, she would have had no reason for criticism, and had she known the pain-filled life of the author, I think she would never have done it. She certainly would have been given no excuse.
Rose from Brier is a collection of letters by Amy Carmichael. She wrote these letters specifically for those who are ill, and she wrote them while she was ill and in significant pain. She said in the introduction to the book, "If I had waited till the harrow had lifted, perhaps a less tired mind would have found a better way. But then the book would have been from the well to the ill, and not from the ill to the ill, which I think is what it is meant to be - a rose plucked straight from the brier."
There is something especially precious about reading encouraging words from someone who is in the thick of physical pain and suffering. On my hard days I was grateful to read her letters to those who are ill.
This book was prompted when Amy received some literature for sick people, but didn't really get anything from them. Then she realized it was because they were written by people who wee not sick telling the sick how they ought to feel. From her own experience of being an invalid the last several years of her life she wrote a series of essays that always point the reader back to Christ. Highly recommended for those suffering and those who love them.
This book really helped me get through anxiety & PTSD. Amy Carmichael understood that the well cannot help the sick, but only the sick can comfort the sick. I recommend this book of encouraging letters and thoughts to anyone who feels burdened by their physical and/or mental illnesses that bring us to our lowest point. It's refreshing to know someone else understood what I am going through, and that God brings healing through these situations.
I read this during a period of long-term illness when I was more or less confined to bed as was Amy Carmichael. What a great encouragement! Definitely an attitude adjustment in how you see yourself and your illness in the grand scheme of God's purposes. I have since given this book to several of my friends with various illnesses. Highly recommend.
I was gifted this book a year ago, and since I’ve gone back to these letters many times. On many nights spent awake and in pain have I read these letters, and been both comforted and challenged. Amy Carmichael writes as few authors can - for the sufferer, from a fellow sufferer. I have found much encouragement in her words, as she constantly points back to Christ and the truths of God’s Word. She does not shy away from difficult topics, and yet can address them as one who has walked the path too. It is my go-to book to send to friends who are suffering. I highly recommend this book to all sufferers in need of encouragement.
May we, like Amy, look beyond our current and painful “Briers,” and trust that our Heavenly Father will surely bring “Roses” out of them - even if we never see them this side of eternity.
Cred ca e o carte pe care daca o citesti la momentul potrivit, ii poti intelege mult mai bine profunzimea. Am inceput-o anul trecut, dar mi s-a parut dificila, nu ma puteam concentra si am lasat-o deoparte. Am reluat-o acum, si mi-am luat timp...sa citesc, sa sublinez si sa notez. Avand in familie pe cineva care a trecut printr-o suferinta si auzind despre mai multi oameni pe care ii cunosc si care sufera, randurile scrise de Amy Carmichael ajuta f mult in intelegerea complexitatii unei boli si poate fi incurajatoare atat pt cel care sufera, cat si pt cei apropiati.
Excellent and thoughtful. I began in April when I had been suffering from reoccurring vertigo since the past October and finished in August. Read it slow and absorb her wisdom. I liked her point that most books written to people suffering are written by “well�� people. She wrote this from bed - suffering with a fracture. Written in 1933 - you’ll need to have a quiet place to read and think about her words. I’ll be sharing this often and referring to it as well as keeping it bedside for future encouragement.
This is a sweet and solid book. I just didn’t connect to her writing style. I plan on gifting it to another dear friend with ongoing health struggles. I think she will LOVE it!
Would recommend this book for those facing physical suffering who need something short to savor each day and enjoy flowery poetic language.
This, too, was one of my favorites by Amy Carmichael. I went through a phase where I ordered EVERYTHING from her, then re-read it again during a tremendously horrid bed ridden period.
Though I can't say that I always understood everything, there were many helpful thoughts and encouragements. I think I might find even more if I was one of the intended readers (sick and invalids).
Some of this I could relate to. Some of this probably deserves a second go-round. I really think I'm on the fence with this book. I'm going to put it away for another day.
These letters from the sickbed of Amy Carmichael are so wonderful as comfort and understanding to others suffering pain and illness. Love her thoughts. Love her poetry.