Quote:

"Dear old world', she murmured, 'you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you." 

— L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)

Context:

There are so many beautiful quotes from Anne of Green Gables. Despite the trials in her life, Anne faced the world with joy. This quote is a beautiful reminder of the treasure that life truly is. Anne’s outlook on life inspires me to embrace each day with gratitude and joy.

As I’m sure many of you know, Anne Shirley is the main character of L.M. Montgomery's beloved novel, Anne of Green Gables. She is a character bursting with imagination and positivity. Despite facing challenges throughout her life—being orphaned, moving to a new home, and grappling with her fiery temper—she finds joy in the simple things. One of my favorite moments is when Anne imagines that she is living in a fairy tale as she walks through nature, describing the vibrant colors and the beauty of her surroundings. 

It reminds me of Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Just as Anne appreciates the world around her, we, too, should recognize that the beauty we see is a reflection of God.

There are days when I struggle to see the beauty in my life. I feel the weight of expectations, I often let anxiety control my thoughts and I allow the opinions of others to make me second guess myself. I can learn a lot from Anne about perspective. Anne is a clumsy character and often finds herself getting caught in crazy situations, yet she doesn’t wallow in despair. Instead, she turns her mishaps into moments of creativity and joy. Often allowing the mess, to teach her the beauty of humility. Her resilience reminds me of Proverbs 17:22, which tells us, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Finding joy even in our mess can often allow us to take our eyes off of ourselves and focus instead on Christ and His purposes in our circumstances.  

In Philippians 4:8, we are told to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Taking a cue from Anne, I realized that focusing on the positives, even when life is rough, brings peace.

In the Bible, we find countless examples of people choosing to see the beauty in their circumstances, even when facing adversity. Consider the story of Ruth. A Moabite widow, Ruth chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, after losing her husband. Despite the hardships, she stepped into a new life, gleaning in the fields and ultimately becoming part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. Her obedience to God, allowed her a huge blessing in her life. Her story teaches us about God’s incredible plan, demonstrating that, even in trials, we can discover beauty and purpose. Anne’s spirit reflects this biblical truth—her perspective is tinted with resilience, hope, and a refusal to let life’s troubles dim her vision of beauty. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages us with the words: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

No matter our struggles, there is always something lovely to find. It’s these things that remind us: we are alive in a world filled with wonder, perfectly crafted by our Creator. Just like Anne, let gratitude fill our hearts for the beauty of God and His creation.‭

Written by: Aubrey Claire