Boundaries: Charlotte’s Outlook on Emotions, Time, and Talents

  “If they would hang head-down at the top of the thing and wait quietly, maybe something good would come along.”  

Charlotte exercises emotional boundaries by curbing excessive emotion. She has a New Englander’s practical approach to feelings, seen in her directness when she rebukes Wilbur and reprimands the lamb for shaming Wilbur. She tells Templeton in no uncertain terms that if he plans to sneak off at the fair to indulge his greedy appetite, he’d better bring back a word.

She can say “no” in a healthy way. To conserve energy, she refuses to sing a song for Wilbur so she can make something for herself. The goose proposes she weave “Terrific, Terrific, Terrific.” But Charlotte refuses to take on such an impossible task, declaring that she would have to do the St. Vitus dance.

Charlotte has physical boundaries. She is limited by time—after laying her eggs, she will die. A boy almost kills her with a stick.

In considering Charlotte’s limitations, we find compelling parallels with Jesus. The One without physical boundaries and with limitless love bound Himself in a fragile human body[…]”“and unlimited, unseen riches forever as our inheritance. The all-powerful Creator—born as a baby—living with human frailty—dying by crucifixion.

Charlotte would not let rats, inconvenient timing, or physical weakness deter her. Neither did Jesus allow religious leaders, the failures of His followers, or the devil’s schemes deter Him from the purpose He came to fulfill.

Prayer: Dear Savior, be magnified in my life. Despite my weakness, be glorified. You can do more than I can even think or imagine. Make me willing to go beyond my comfort levels to follow You. Help me to be wise in how I use my limited emotional and physical capabilities.

Radiant Action: Journal Entries: 1. How can God’s grace shine through “my weaknesses? 2. What limitations do I have that I am using as excuses for not serving?

Webs: Insignificance (Feb.), Mission (Mar.), Purpose Series (May), Equipping and Design (May)

Gleanings: “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God” (2 Cor. 3:5 KJV).”

Excerpt From Some God! Amanda Chambers