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Posted by quietcajun

Rosa of Linden Castle
Chapter 4
Rosa , even in her distress, immediately cried out to God, “O Lord help! Oh help us!” Her father compelled her to calmly refocus and to put her trust in God rather than to panic. I loved how he admitted to his failings in trusting his own strength in the past in that it teaches us to realize the lack of success in that method. He renounced that error and resolved to look only to God from that time forward.
Edelbert instructs Rosa as to where she can find a safe haven and encourages her not to let her privileged life cause her grief and it seemed not to be. That is in and of itself remarkable and nearly unheard of, but Matilda had raised Rosa in such a way that she was neither prideful nor lazy. Her station could have afforded her no only material luxuries, but also indulgences of the mind. Instead, Rosa was trained to be respectful, diligent and resourceful. All of these skills will certainly be to the young lady’s benefit now.
Edelbert also exhorts Rosa to be prayerful and to “above all things, remain innocent and virtuous.” A bit later he repeats the same advice and adds to it “Love God. Cleave to your blessed Redeemer. Obey his kind instructions. Avoid the very appearance of evil…”
Somehow Edelbert had had the presence of mind to hide the medal the emperor had given him and gave it to Rosa as a keepsake and told her to never part with it and also to let it be a reminder to her of where she had come from and with Who’s help she would go forward. So in essence it was a token of her blessed past and a symbol of hope in the face of an uncertain future.
I can only hope that in such dire straits I would have not only the presence of mind to issue such exhortations, but that they would be appropriately trained to meet the tasks before them.
Chapter 5
Rosa’s fearful and tearful departure took her away from her beloved home to search for Burkhard’s cottage. Wild animals, hunger, the risk of losing her way and sorrow grasped at Rosa’s heart.
When she did actually get lost she remembered to call out to God in prayer. The rising smoke from Burkhard’s coal fire that led her from that place made me think of the pillar of cloud that served as a guide for the Israelites in the desert.
When Burkhard learned of Edelbert’s fate, he was horrified. He almost failed to stop himself from pronouncing a curse upon Edelbert’s enemy. It was a sweet reminder of how we are to bless those who persecute us.
Not only did Burkhard comfort Rosa with sustenance, but with words of hope in the Lord and His plan. Then he offered up his one-person hut for Rosa to sleep. Burkhard did not sleep, but sat a worried, but prayerful vigil near the coal pit all that night in the midst of a raging storm. What a picture of responsibility and self-sacrifice.
Would that we will extend such hospitality and kindness to those in need in our own lives.
Chapter 6
When Agnes arrived with food for her father, she was instructed to take Rosa to their home. Rosa was grateful for the care of these dear ones.
The journey to the collier’s home provided an illustration of HOPE in the trials of life and how God is faithful to always provide a means of escape. Each member of the family endured their own shock and grief and yet set aside their own feelings in order to give their attention to Rosa in her time of need.
The collier’s wife reflected on a tender realization when she considered that when Edelbert had helped Burkhard build their home that he was unknowingly preparing a refuge for his own daughter.
Rosa was instructed to fully make herself at home and she felt consoled and thankful rather than entitled to such.
The attitudes of each of these characters provide a Godly model for us to strive to emulate in time of trouble.

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Posted by JacqueDixonSoulRestES

I am way too far behind on posting my Rosa discussion. Since we went got Back Home, I have not yet caught up!

Chapter One deserves to be read and pored over all on its own time. What a beautiful picture of little Rosa and her mother’s care! I am greatly challenged and in awe of her. She is caring for her little girl when her husband is gone, which seems to be quite often. She has instilled a love for Daddy into her little girl’s heart so much so that she serves her Daddy in sweetness and kindness and love and treats him like a King. It is such a lovely picture of a Godly mom and dad raising up their child to know the Lord in a very personal, everyday way. It is not a life of reading it in a book or hearing a story about it. It is direct conversation. And, it is real-something that is lived in word and deed.

All of the lessons that Mathilda teaches Rosa are straight out of the Scripture. I felt like this chapter alone was one that I need to read and reread to get the picture in my mind of Deuteronomy 6, to walk with and talk with our children, daily passing on the word and laws of God.

I am sorrowful, again, that this little girl has lost her mother. I guess these books are set in such a time that a young death is accepted. At least it is a sweet departure and admonition from a wife and mother who knew the Lord and His Word and was not ashamed to speak it. Also, she really lived it in a pious manner, so it is something that she can say in humility and surety.

I, too, wondered about Rosa's father being gone so much, but I think it was just the way it was. I don't think there was the 'pressure' there is today to fit into a mold, because they didn't have time to worry about a 'mold'. I don't think he looked at it as time away, but as time he was doing his duty and doing it for his family. I think that men today feel the same way underneath a lot of times (tho there are times when they are workaholics). I think they just accept that they have to be gone to work to get the bills paid and do what they can for their families.

I really love the time Rosa and her father have to sit and talk about his life. It is a shame that her mother did not get to partake of it, but it is a sweet fellowship that we get to see, and his love for his family and his character comes through, where we previously had little idea of it.

I hadn't thought about Kunerick leaving Rosa alone to go. I guess he is chivalrous, in his own way. Maybe he just knew his fight was with her father. I know a lot of times they would have sought out the heir to kill, so she is fortunate in that! Or protected, I guess, by her heavenly father!

It will be interesting to see what becomes of their relationship and the trials they will face. I know that Rosa has a steady foundation laid by her Mother, and I am sure tragedy is right around the corner.

I guess we will see…

blessings!
Jacque

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Posted by rjdjohn316

I must heartily agree with you, Amanda. It is so touching when Edelbert knows he has imprisonment and probably death, and yet he speaks so calmly and so gently that Rosa has no choice but to obey the wishes of her father.

Yes, poor Rosa. To have not only her mother, but now also her father taken away... it is a sad thing indeed. I don't know what I would do if my father and my mother were separated from me. I would not know what I would do! I'm so glad that when Edelbert is in chains, and he is giving Rosa her instructions that is not weeping and making it all the harder for Rosa to leave him.

What a horrible man Kunerick is! hateful, unfeeling, evil man! I am ashamed at the way a man would treat his fellow man. They are equal. We all are. He had no right, no power to do what he did. But he did it anyways, all because of his selfish, prideful, unfeeling self. Did he think about Rosa and what was best for her? No, of course not. he only thought of his own ambition. I hope I never know a man such as Kunerick! And if ever I do, may the Lord help me to show him the evil of his actions.

In the 5th chapter, I cannot imagine what Rosa is going through as she stumbles through the forest in search of Burkhard. I was so amazed when, instead of trying to get out of the forest to get to people, she cries out to God to deliver her. What faith Rosa had in the Lord! What inspiring faith she had! How did she know that God was there with her, listening to her cries? She didn't, but she had the faith of a mustard seed, until the seed grew into a small seedling of a tree. How great the faith of a child is! Help me, Lord, to have faith such as Rosa's! I thank you, Lord, that is is possible for me to have that kind of faith.

I was so glad when Rosa awakened from her sleep and Agnes was there to comfort her and make her feel welcome. I have not read the next three chapters, but I have a feeling that Rosa and Agnes become dear friends to each other. What a blessing it is to have friends whom can love you and who care for you! Life is a cookie, and friends are the chocolate chips. I am not sure where I heard that, but it is certainly true with Rosa and Agnes. I am sure that Rosa would not have been able to go through the days under Burkhard's roof without Agnes.

Thank you for such a lively discussion. I can't wait to read chapters 7-10! Wonderful choice of book, Eyebright!
Love,
Rachel
Here is the link for my discussion on my blog:
http://dixonhomestead.com/rachel/?p=75

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