The Anne of Green Gables Devotional by Rachel Dodge, artwork by Jana Christy, published by Barbour Books, (2020)
Sometimes people say, “Oh, but I fell in love with that book from the first sentence.” Well, I didn’t fall in love with the novel Anne of Green Gables from the first sentence or even the first pages.
Nosy, busy-body Mrs. Rachel Lynde going to “interrogate” steely Marilla Cuthbert about where Matthew Cuthbert was going—me, not interested. Not at all. There might be fireworks and at eleven years old, I didn’t want to be around to watch. Those women were scary.
I’m about to put the book down when shy, gentle, kind Matthew and talkative, plucky, imaginative Anne appear. From that moment on, I am theirs. And I don’t want to leave Green Gables or Avonlea. I become an invisible witness to Anne’s life, adventures, and misadventures. I even imagine that she and I are friends.
Rachel Dodge has taken this lovely, lovely book, Anne of Green Gables, that many of us read when we were younger and used its story elements to show adults and teens the face and heart of God. Following the story chronologically and looking into each chapter of the book, Rachel gives us in each devotion a quote from the novel’s chapter, a summary of the main action and then using that point as an illustration, reveals in a few paragraphs God’s activity in everyday life.
For example, in the chapter where Anne notices that she has been at Green Gables for a year, the author tells the reader that the room’s physical appearance is still the same, but the room is different. It now is filled with Anne, “a new, vital pulsing personality that seemed to pervade it.” Rachel then writes, “In the same way, you are no longer the same since you became a follower of Christ. The basic structure of your personality and being is there, but your soul and spirit have come to life. . .Your entire being is infused with the vivid presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
There are 39 devotions. As well as beginning and ending each devotion with a pertinent scripture, Rachel often refers to the stories of Biblical people such as Daniel, Esther, David, Ruth, and the healed Gadarene demoniac.
Each devotion also contains a few paragraphs on personal application. I found it refreshing that these personal applications often suggest first, ways you may grow in your relationship with God before suggesting that you serve others. For example, “. . .Wherever you are today—at home, at work or school, at the doctor’s office—that’s exactly where God wants you to be. It may seem as though another life or another location would seem better or brighter, but God has purposes for you right here, right now.” And another I particularly liked: “As Christians, many of us still operate with an orphan mentality. When we’re in trouble, we forget to call for help. When we’re lost, we forget to stop and ask for directions. When we’re in pain, we forget to ask for comfort and encouragement. . .Start living like you belong to Jesus.”
The devotions, before ending with scripture, offer short prayers which can be personalized.
Many of the other devotionals that I’ve come in contact with, though instructive and useful, are more like chugging a glass of OJ, grabbing a piece of toast and you’re out the door. A devotion in The Anne of Green Gables Devotional is more like sitting down with God and eating His breakfast. Now don’t get the wrong impression, it is not a long, leisurely breakfast, but it is breakfast, and it will nourish you for the day like nutritionists say a good breakfast does.
Nancy Ellen Hird is a mom, a writer and a credentialed teacher. (She taught seventh grade and preschool.) Her latest works for children are I Get a Clue and We All Get a Clue, mystery novels for girls 10-13.