Ok, so I must tell you that Elisabeth Elliot is one of my heroes. I love her book Passion and Purity where she shares her commitment to stay pure and holy in her relationship with Jim, who later became her husband. What intrigues me the most about her is her resilience. She has faced incredible hardships and yet continues to praise the Lord. When Jim was killed by the Auca Indians, she stayed to minister to the very people who murdered her husband. (They were missionaries in Ecuador and she stayed there with her young daughter after her husband was killed). What love! You can read her story in Through the Gates of Splendor and you can watch the movie, End of the Spear (if you watch the movie, keep the tissues handy).
Several years ago, she spoke at our church and I was blessed with the opportunity to meet her and to have lunch with her and her husband Lars. This was a day I’ll never forget! She is a remarkable woman who exudes humility and grace. I have always been amazed by her testimony but since Michael died, I feel like I relate to her on a totally different level. Knowing her story gave me the courage to continue serving Christ when playing it safe would have been much easier. She is a woman who pursues holiness and inspires others to do likewise. She is a real She-ra in my eyes (see previous post)!