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A Passion for the Impossible: The Life of Lilias Trotter
Art critic John Ruskin enthusiastically proclaimed her potential as one of the best artists of the nineteenth century, but Lilias Trotter's devotion to Christ compelled her to surrender her life of art, privilege, and leisure. Leaving the home of her wealthy parents for a humble dwelling in Algeria, Lilias defied sterotypes and taboos that should have deterred any European woman from ministering in a Muslim country. Yet she stayed for nearly forty years, befriending Algerian Muslims with her appreciation for literature and art and winning them to Christ through her life of love.
368 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1999
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1522 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
November 15, 2014
How such a colorful life can be presented in such a colorless way is beyond me. Lilias Trotter is well worth getting to know--Her writings in the appendix shine--but there has to be a better biography out there than this one.
April 11, 2022
I appreciated the detail in this book. It was certainly not a quick read, but the amount of research put into it is very evident. Lilias Trotter was a lovely person, and I feel like I made a new friend. Her art is gorgeous- so deeply moving. Her story is an incredible testimony of God’s tender lovingkindness and His care in our lives. There are such deep lessons woven throughout. It was special to learn that the precious hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” was inspired by her writings.
May 13, 2022
Picked this for a school report. A very solid, inspiring look at the life of artist and missionary Lilias Trotter. Her writings throughout were amazing and deep. Reminded me a lot of Amy Carmichael, just with Lilias's own artistic flair to it.
August 24, 2009
A Passion for the Impossible is a biography of Lilias Trotter (1853-1928) who did outreach work to women in England and then went to Algeria as a missionary. The book used primary sources as much as possible and often quoted diaries, journals, and letters written by Lilias and those who knew her.
I liked that the author showed how Lilias Trotter was influenced by the events and society of her day and how she influenced them. Thus, the reader also learns about D.L. Moody, the YWCA, John Ruskin, and others who touched her life.
The writing style was easy to understand and read, though a bit formal in tone (which matched the material). The book described the barriers Lilias Trotter faced and the methods she used to reach Muslims with the gospel. I especially liked Lilias' descriptions of Algeria (of both the setting and the culture).
There were several pages of black and white photos of Lilias Trotter with a few also showing her colleagues or the places she worked. There were charming sketches by Lilias at the bottom of many pages or at the ends of chapters. The black and white map of missionary stations in Algeria in 1924 wasn't easy to read or use. I would have enjoyed another map that clearly showed the places she visited on various trips.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about history or anyone who enjoys reading missionary biographies. In fact, if a person was only going to read one missionary biography, I think I'd recommend this one since it gives a broader view than just Lilias' work.
I liked that the author showed how Lilias Trotter was influenced by the events and society of her day and how she influenced them. Thus, the reader also learns about D.L. Moody, the YWCA, John Ruskin, and others who touched her life.
The writing style was easy to understand and read, though a bit formal in tone (which matched the material). The book described the barriers Lilias Trotter faced and the methods she used to reach Muslims with the gospel. I especially liked Lilias' descriptions of Algeria (of both the setting and the culture).
There were several pages of black and white photos of Lilias Trotter with a few also showing her colleagues or the places she worked. There were charming sketches by Lilias at the bottom of many pages or at the ends of chapters. The black and white map of missionary stations in Algeria in 1924 wasn't easy to read or use. I would have enjoyed another map that clearly showed the places she visited on various trips.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about history or anyone who enjoys reading missionary biographies. In fact, if a person was only going to read one missionary biography, I think I'd recommend this one since it gives a broader view than just Lilias' work.
May 5, 2017
Lilias Trotter's life is a beautiful example of dying to self and living for Christ, of walking by faith and not by sight. Her affection for the Keswick movement surprised me and left me wondering how much influence the teachings had on her. I don't recall anything in the book that directly revealed if she agreed with the "entire sanctification" concept that is associated with Keswick teaching, nor was it mentioned that she tried to impress this teaching on converted Muslims. Perhaps her books and journals give a clearer picture of her thoughts on holiness and sanctification. While at times this read felt heavy and slow-going, it certainly offers thought-provoking treasure for the patient reader, as well as encouragement to read Trotter's writings.
February 11, 2016
Lilias Trotter was a brave and passionate woman who loved Jesus and the Kingdom of God more than her own life. Grateful for saints like her who live out the gospel in such a way that inspire us to follow their own example.
I give three stars to the author's style; it was not my favorite.
I give three stars to the author's style; it was not my favorite.
October 22, 2018
Lilias was an amazing example of faith in action. She heard God’s call and like Abraham stepped out in faith and followed him even when it looked foolish. It is unfortunate that so few people know about this amazing woman.
June 17, 2017
This woman had a great love for God and devotion for spreading his word, but this book was BORING!!!! I would have rather read her journals and published works.
April 3, 2022
This lovingly written biography of a lesser-known missionary was so moving and inspiring. Lillias Trotter was quite a woman, who had quite a relationship with her Lord. Her love for people, her passion for the impossible, her drive to serve the Lord, and her ability to pull spiritual lessons from the scenes of nature that she loved so well are all incredibly thought-provoking and challenging. What a life!
Some quotes from the book and from Lillias herself:
-“It is loss to keep when God says ‘give’.”— L.T.
-“The only valid question, she believed, was how anyone who had experienced the light of eternity ‘in the face of Jesus Christ’ could withhold that light and life and love from those who had not. …’All that is of dimness and dreariness and hopeless heart-emptiness is wrapped up in those two words— without Christ’.” -M.H.R.
-“I am full of hope that when God delays in fulfilling our little thoughts, it is to have Himself room to work out His great ones.” —L.T.
-“And yet let us write evermore write over all our miseries, big, and for the most part very little, these transforming words ‘With Jesus’.” —L.T.
-“…you cannot get beyond that blessed climax of impossibility. Let faith swing out on Him. He is the God of the impossible.” —L.T.
5 ⭐️
Some quotes from the book and from Lillias herself:
-“It is loss to keep when God says ‘give’.”— L.T.
-“The only valid question, she believed, was how anyone who had experienced the light of eternity ‘in the face of Jesus Christ’ could withhold that light and life and love from those who had not. …’All that is of dimness and dreariness and hopeless heart-emptiness is wrapped up in those two words— without Christ’.” -M.H.R.
-“I am full of hope that when God delays in fulfilling our little thoughts, it is to have Himself room to work out His great ones.” —L.T.
-“And yet let us write evermore write over all our miseries, big, and for the most part very little, these transforming words ‘With Jesus’.” —L.T.
-“…you cannot get beyond that blessed climax of impossibility. Let faith swing out on Him. He is the God of the impossible.” —L.T.
5 ⭐️
March 29, 2025
How much do I love this book, and why should you read it? "Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up." I love this book so very much. If you want to learn what a life of joyful abandon to God looks like, see a model of faithfulness that is not motivated by false definitions of success, be discipled on how to live a life of prayer, and see how a life of singleness is not depressing or unfulfilled, then read this book.
Lilias Trotter is my earthly hero, and I hope I can be even sort of like her someday.
Lilias Trotter is my earthly hero, and I hope I can be even sort of like her someday.
March 1, 2019
Lilias Trotter served as a missionary in Algeria for 40 years, until her death. She was also an accomplished artist. She would often paint scenes of what she saw daily. With that artistic bent came a gift to capture scenes in words as well. In her journal entries, she wrote about many things she observed. Here are some of the treasures I found in this book.
"This dandelion has long ago surrendered its golden petals, and has reached its crowning stage of dying-the delicate seed-globe must break up now – it gives and gives till it has nothing left…there is no sense of wrenching; it stands ready, holding up its little life, not knowing when or where or how the wind that bloweth where it listeth may carry it away. It holds itself no longer for its own keeping, only as something to be given: a breath does the rest, turning the “readiness to win” into the “performance” (2 Corinthians 8:11). And should that through “death oft” has been brought to this point, even acts that look as if they must involve some effort, become something natural, spontaneous, full of heavenly involuntariness,” so simple are they the outcome of the indwelling love of Christ. (p. 99)
She went to Algeria wholly unprepared. Because of serious health problems she was rejected by the mission board she wanted to serve with. Not to be daunted to easily she and two other independently wealthy women went on their own, without knowing the culture or a single word in Arabic. While that was not ideal they stayed there for the long run and did their best to spread the gospel in forbidding soil.
The work was exhausting but Lilias discovered that the solution to that was to seek avidly times of daily refreshment with God and to secure times of retreat. "The greatest battle is spiritual nerves strained by physical stress become a playground for the enemy who would not have his stronghold broken. "
I appreciated one part of the book which told of how important the work of the Holy Spirit is in the life of all who want to serve God. We learn of a fellow colleague, Kate Smith, who while in Switzerland waited on God (an unplanned trip). But while on her way to Algeria she experienced a filling of God’s spirit. She returned with an overwhelming sense of God’s power and joy….workers all broke down in confession and surrender as the sweet breath of God’s Spirit swept over them. Because of this Lilias also sought to have the same experience, and it happened to her as well.
In one part of the story, she writes about her discoveries in relation to temperament. She writes, "It has opened up to me a whole new area that has to be 'subdued unto Himself'- the whole region of natural temperament that lies at the back of the self-life in man & needs to be transformed by the renewing of our mind – translated that does not mean annihilated but transformed by a new mind and body. He can take the very susceptibleness that has been a snare and make it into a means of contact with himself."
She takes a powerful lesson from a bee. "A bee comforted me very much this morning concerning the desultoriness that troubles me in our work. He was hovering among some blackberry sprays, just touching the flowers here and there in a very tentative way, yet all unconsciously, life-life- life was left behind at ever touch, as the miracle-working pollen grains were transferred to the place where they could set the unseen spring working. We have only to see to it that we are surcharged, like the bees, with potential life. It is God and His eternity that will do the work – yet He needs His wandering desultory bees."
Then she writes of a marvelous lesson she learned about faith from the martens she would encounter."Their wings need the sense of the empty void below them to give them a start. Their leg muscles have no spring in them and when they perch by accident on a level place they are stuck fast – poor things we did not know that natural history fact in the past and when we have found them on our flat Alger roof with its parapet protection, we have thought they had got hurt somehow and more than once we have tried to feed them till they died, instead of doing the one thing that they needed – tossing the off into emptiness."
Then finally, I really appreciated this short 4 line poem:
Two glad Services are ours
Both the Master loves to bless
First, we serve with all our powers
Then with all our helplessness.
In some ways, the book went into way too many details. I would have liked a more readable book but I am glad that I stuck with it for the very reasons above.
"This dandelion has long ago surrendered its golden petals, and has reached its crowning stage of dying-the delicate seed-globe must break up now – it gives and gives till it has nothing left…there is no sense of wrenching; it stands ready, holding up its little life, not knowing when or where or how the wind that bloweth where it listeth may carry it away. It holds itself no longer for its own keeping, only as something to be given: a breath does the rest, turning the “readiness to win” into the “performance” (2 Corinthians 8:11). And should that through “death oft” has been brought to this point, even acts that look as if they must involve some effort, become something natural, spontaneous, full of heavenly involuntariness,” so simple are they the outcome of the indwelling love of Christ. (p. 99)
She went to Algeria wholly unprepared. Because of serious health problems she was rejected by the mission board she wanted to serve with. Not to be daunted to easily she and two other independently wealthy women went on their own, without knowing the culture or a single word in Arabic. While that was not ideal they stayed there for the long run and did their best to spread the gospel in forbidding soil.
The work was exhausting but Lilias discovered that the solution to that was to seek avidly times of daily refreshment with God and to secure times of retreat. "The greatest battle is spiritual nerves strained by physical stress become a playground for the enemy who would not have his stronghold broken. "
I appreciated one part of the book which told of how important the work of the Holy Spirit is in the life of all who want to serve God. We learn of a fellow colleague, Kate Smith, who while in Switzerland waited on God (an unplanned trip). But while on her way to Algeria she experienced a filling of God’s spirit. She returned with an overwhelming sense of God’s power and joy….workers all broke down in confession and surrender as the sweet breath of God’s Spirit swept over them. Because of this Lilias also sought to have the same experience, and it happened to her as well.
In one part of the story, she writes about her discoveries in relation to temperament. She writes, "It has opened up to me a whole new area that has to be 'subdued unto Himself'- the whole region of natural temperament that lies at the back of the self-life in man & needs to be transformed by the renewing of our mind – translated that does not mean annihilated but transformed by a new mind and body. He can take the very susceptibleness that has been a snare and make it into a means of contact with himself."
She takes a powerful lesson from a bee. "A bee comforted me very much this morning concerning the desultoriness that troubles me in our work. He was hovering among some blackberry sprays, just touching the flowers here and there in a very tentative way, yet all unconsciously, life-life- life was left behind at ever touch, as the miracle-working pollen grains were transferred to the place where they could set the unseen spring working. We have only to see to it that we are surcharged, like the bees, with potential life. It is God and His eternity that will do the work – yet He needs His wandering desultory bees."
Then she writes of a marvelous lesson she learned about faith from the martens she would encounter."Their wings need the sense of the empty void below them to give them a start. Their leg muscles have no spring in them and when they perch by accident on a level place they are stuck fast – poor things we did not know that natural history fact in the past and when we have found them on our flat Alger roof with its parapet protection, we have thought they had got hurt somehow and more than once we have tried to feed them till they died, instead of doing the one thing that they needed – tossing the off into emptiness."
Then finally, I really appreciated this short 4 line poem:
Two glad Services are ours
Both the Master loves to bless
First, we serve with all our powers
Then with all our helplessness.
In some ways, the book went into way too many details. I would have liked a more readable book but I am glad that I stuck with it for the very reasons above.
March 27, 2019
My mother and I finally finished this book together! It was a wonderful summary of one woman’s life of following Jesus.
March 19, 2018
Wow, wow, wow. I loved this woman's story. I felt a kinship with her as a fellow artist, although her art was infinitely more refined than mine ever will be. I love how God wove a passion for color and detail and texture into all the ways she shared the gospel in North Africa. There were so many good examples to follow from her life, and she was a picture of running (and finishing) her race so well. I highly recommend this book! I am spurred on to a greater prayer life, to a deeper searching of the Word, to a greater dependence on God to do wonderful things through our little daily acts of obedience.
Right in the preface it was written that "One striking lesson learned from spending time with pilgrims from bygone eras is that next to disciplined daily time in prayer and the Scriptures, the reading of devotional literature and biographies ranks extremely high among formative influences. Indeed, many Christians who have made significant contributions to the church testify to the profound impact of books—especially biographies—on their spiritual development. The life story of Lilias Trotter is destined to become part of that long line of influential biographies. It is my hope and prayer that many people—especially teachers of all age groups, pastors, missionaries, and young Christians who are listening for God’s call—will read this important book."
Right in the preface it was written that "One striking lesson learned from spending time with pilgrims from bygone eras is that next to disciplined daily time in prayer and the Scriptures, the reading of devotional literature and biographies ranks extremely high among formative influences. Indeed, many Christians who have made significant contributions to the church testify to the profound impact of books—especially biographies—on their spiritual development. The life story of Lilias Trotter is destined to become part of that long line of influential biographies. It is my hope and prayer that many people—especially teachers of all age groups, pastors, missionaries, and young Christians who are listening for God’s call—will read this important book."
Read
January 20, 2020Lillian Trotter gave up her promising art career under the tutelage of a famous impressionist, who also loved her and wanted her to be his wife, but she refused even this, to follow God recklessly to become a missionary to the Muslim majority culture of the country of Algeria during its French occupation in the 1890s. I loved her inspiring and sacrificing story and life!
Rating: 4.5 stars because although she was an inspiration to read about, the books writing style and chronology was soooooo frustrating and hard to stay interested in and concentrating on that it was a worthy struggle to read!!!!
Recommend: for those who want to be inspired and challenged by one woman’s life of surrender to God but who are prepared for a reading struggle 🤩💪💪💪
Rating: 4.5 stars because although she was an inspiration to read about, the books writing style and chronology was soooooo frustrating and hard to stay interested in and concentrating on that it was a worthy struggle to read!!!!
Recommend: for those who want to be inspired and challenged by one woman’s life of surrender to God but who are prepared for a reading struggle 🤩💪💪💪
June 23, 2018
This book felt like an older sister in the faith, Lilias, sharing with me the lessons she had learned from the Lord and whispering to my heart to follow after Him no matter the cost. The vibrations of her life continue to resonate, gently persuading those who listen that to lose your life for Christ's sake is to find it, and there is no life without first a death. I deeply appreciate Rockness's diligence in writing this book and gleaning so much from Lilias's own journals and other writings. It was the words of the Tiger Lily herself that had the most impact on me, but the impact was made greater because I was able to study her life.
April 23, 2017
Lilias Trotter led an amazing life and I was more than impressed by the telling of her story. That I spent almost a year reading it does not really reflect this. I lost it for several months and when I found it was in the midst of reading other things. The depth of her spirituality and her love for the Algerian people were truly remarkable and she literally worked for the Lord right up to the moments of her death. I hope I learned something from her life that will move me forward in my own.
August 3, 2016
loved it. Very inspiring. So many wonderful analogies from Nature Lilias Trotter used in bringing to light God's character and His ways. She is truly a wonderful example of how Christ can be shown through the way we live our lives for Him. Has given me the enthusiasm to write a blog on all I learnt, and believe me, that is a fair bit!
December 6, 2017
Awesome story about an incredible inspiring and courageous missionary. Please read this and pray for Algeria! I’m struck by Lillias’ faith and dependence on God. She was a single women who went with a couple other single women to a Muslim country where she was not accepted and faced huge barriers to ministering to women. It is so cool what God did through her!
February 6, 2011
It has been like salve to my soul to read about a woman completely intent on surrendering to the cause of Christ, to pour out for Him, but who is honest about the process of counting the cost, feeling the loss, yet still counting it as gain for Christ.
August 9, 2012
Lilias Trotter's life inspires me to seek Christ and His desires completely. The writing at times gets a bit bogged down, but the story of Lilias' commitment to the gospel is unparallelled. I loved this book.
November 11, 2016
I really like this book because I like biographies. The other reasons I like this book: I like how the author added some of her journal entries and put the dates of them. Next, in the back it includes all of the book, ect. that she wrote. I also liked reading the Acknowledgement.
February 18, 2012
The life of Lilias Trotter inspires me to a life of faithful service and beauty. I have read this again and again to renew my vision for the art of living for Jesus.
April 28, 2024
Lilias Trotter had an amazing heart! She was a contemporary of big names such as Samuel Zwemer and Amy Carmichael, but she goes unknown for many. As a single woman, she was one of the great missionary pioneers of Algeria in the late 1800s and she revolutionized Gospel contextualization! Her story captured my heart so much that I shed a tear or two when reading about her final breaths. She inspires me in so many ways.
(The reason I give it 4 stars is because the writing itself is academic and dry. Sometimes it was hard to keep reading. Another great source to learn about her life is the documentary Many Beautiful Things.)
(The reason I give it 4 stars is because the writing itself is academic and dry. Sometimes it was hard to keep reading. Another great source to learn about her life is the documentary Many Beautiful Things.)
August 24, 2019
There's a lot more to Lilias's story than turning down Ruskin's offer to become a leading lady in the art world. That's only the first few chapters. She was a woman of incredible perseverance. Now she's one of my favorite people of all time. Thank you to Miriam Rockness for reintroducing her to us.
July 27, 2023
Incredible story, and well-told. Lilias Trotter's life and work for God was fascinating and inspiring. Need to buy this for my Christian missionaries shelf.
April 12, 2023
Remarkable woman!
May 3, 2018
5 stars for the subject matter, 3 stars for the writing.
I watched the documentary on Lilias's life ("Many Beautiful Things") about a year ago, and I feel like putting it together with this book helps make a more rounded view of this beautiful Christian soul. Much more than this book, the documentary emphasizes Lilias's artistic talent and all that she gave up in terms of worldly success in choosing to move to Algeria to be a missionary. The focus of this book is the over forty years she spent there.
The writing is rather dry– Ms. Rockness tends to offer tidy summaries instead of vivid details, so it's much more a feeling of being told events rather than shown them. Then again, she didn't have a wealth of source material to work with. I admire her for tackling this project and trying to shed light on the life of this mighty woman of God about whom so few know.
What has stuck most with me are some of Lilias's own words (this book quotes extensively from her diaries, which is one of its strengths.)
Other workers may come later; meanwhile we can be loving them and praying for them. I have been thinking lately what a work for God it is, just loving people. He says in Deut 22: 'If an ox or an ass has gone astray, thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee till thy brother seek after it.' I think He gives us sometimes a little service for souls– wandering souls that we cannot bring back to Him; sometimes all we can do is to keep them near us, and show the kindness of God to them, and hold them in faith and prayer till He comes to seek them.
The martens have been reading me a faith lesson. They come in flights this time of year– lovely things with blue throats & feathered claws– one slept in my room last night and another darted in at the open window before I was up, swept round & out again.
Their faith lesson is this– that their wings need the sense of an "empty void" below to give them a start– their leg muscles have no spring in them and when they perch by accident on a level place they are stuck fast– poor things we did not know that natural history fact in the past & when we have found them on our flat Alger roof with its parapet protection, we have though they had got hurt somehow, & more than once we have tried to feed them till they died, instead of doing the one thing that they needed- tossing them off into emptiness.
So we need not wonder if we are not allowed to stay long in level sheltered places– our faith wings are like the martens & mostly need the gulf of some emergency to give them their start on a new flight. We will not fear when we feel empty air under them."
I watched the documentary on Lilias's life ("Many Beautiful Things") about a year ago, and I feel like putting it together with this book helps make a more rounded view of this beautiful Christian soul. Much more than this book, the documentary emphasizes Lilias's artistic talent and all that she gave up in terms of worldly success in choosing to move to Algeria to be a missionary. The focus of this book is the over forty years she spent there.
The writing is rather dry– Ms. Rockness tends to offer tidy summaries instead of vivid details, so it's much more a feeling of being told events rather than shown them. Then again, she didn't have a wealth of source material to work with. I admire her for tackling this project and trying to shed light on the life of this mighty woman of God about whom so few know.
What has stuck most with me are some of Lilias's own words (this book quotes extensively from her diaries, which is one of its strengths.)
Other workers may come later; meanwhile we can be loving them and praying for them. I have been thinking lately what a work for God it is, just loving people. He says in Deut 22: 'If an ox or an ass has gone astray, thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee till thy brother seek after it.' I think He gives us sometimes a little service for souls– wandering souls that we cannot bring back to Him; sometimes all we can do is to keep them near us, and show the kindness of God to them, and hold them in faith and prayer till He comes to seek them.
The martens have been reading me a faith lesson. They come in flights this time of year– lovely things with blue throats & feathered claws– one slept in my room last night and another darted in at the open window before I was up, swept round & out again.
Their faith lesson is this– that their wings need the sense of an "empty void" below to give them a start– their leg muscles have no spring in them and when they perch by accident on a level place they are stuck fast– poor things we did not know that natural history fact in the past & when we have found them on our flat Alger roof with its parapet protection, we have though they had got hurt somehow, & more than once we have tried to feed them till they died, instead of doing the one thing that they needed- tossing them off into emptiness.
So we need not wonder if we are not allowed to stay long in level sheltered places– our faith wings are like the martens & mostly need the gulf of some emergency to give them their start on a new flight. We will not fear when we feel empty air under them."
April 21, 2012
I loved the forewords and prefaces, the first few chapters and the appendix with selections from Lilias' writings. The middle of the book was okay but it started dragging on. She was a missionary to Algeria for 40 years in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During that time there were changes and growth, but as to be expected there wasn't a lot of drama and that meant that you found yourself reading the same type of things over and over again and it got a bit long. And this is from someone who usually likes every detail. Maybe it's also because Lilias leans to the mystical side of things, as the frequent quotes from her diaries sometimes show (she was very involved in the Keswick movement), and that's not my bent. But overall I really liked it. The author did a terrific job researching it and I appreciate well researched books. She's not just pulling stuff out of her hat, she did her homework and consulted an amazing number of people and resources.
One especially encouraging aspect of this book is Lilias' example of zeal to the end. It's so easy to lose our passion as we get older but Lilias died on the mission field when she was about 75, seeking the advancement of God's kingdom to the very end. That's something worthy to emulate!
I also was encouraged by her willingness to put art second. John Ruskin told her she could be immortal as a painter if she would only give it her whole attention, but she knew there were more important things in life than art. If she had chosen art, she would likely today be a household word, but instead she chose the things of God and her name is a heaven word.
Here are a couple favorite quotes which are from Lilias' writings:
"Long ago... it was a joy to think that God needed me: now it is a far deeper joy to feel and see that he does not need me- that he has it all in hand!"
"Never has it been so easy to live in half a dozen good harmless worlds at once- art, music, social science, games, motoring, the following of some profession, and so on. And between them we run the risk of drifting about, the "good" hiding the "best" even more effectually than it could be hidden by downright frivolity with its smothered heartache at its own emptiness."
One especially encouraging aspect of this book is Lilias' example of zeal to the end. It's so easy to lose our passion as we get older but Lilias died on the mission field when she was about 75, seeking the advancement of God's kingdom to the very end. That's something worthy to emulate!
I also was encouraged by her willingness to put art second. John Ruskin told her she could be immortal as a painter if she would only give it her whole attention, but she knew there were more important things in life than art. If she had chosen art, she would likely today be a household word, but instead she chose the things of God and her name is a heaven word.
Here are a couple favorite quotes which are from Lilias' writings:
"Long ago... it was a joy to think that God needed me: now it is a far deeper joy to feel and see that he does not need me- that he has it all in hand!"
"Never has it been so easy to live in half a dozen good harmless worlds at once- art, music, social science, games, motoring, the following of some profession, and so on. And between them we run the risk of drifting about, the "good" hiding the "best" even more effectually than it could be hidden by downright frivolity with its smothered heartache at its own emptiness."
February 2, 2008
I first encounter Lilias Trotter in Noel Piper's "Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God". Instantly, I felt an affinity with this women. Growing up in the Victorian era in England, Lilias eventually turned from her life of priveledge and beauty, to be a single, female missionary in Algeria. As important a Lilias was for the world of Muslim missions, there isn't much work telling her story.* I seem to have found the one exception.
This work began with the early stages of Lilias' life, everything from her family life, her volunteer work, and her love affair with the world of art. Being an extremely talented artist, she was offered to study under the best Europe had to offer, John Ruskin, in order to fully develop her skill. As much as Lilias loved art, and John it seems as well, her heart truly lay in God's work.
Lilias served in the deserts of Algeria for over 40 years. Her time was not without struggles, yet her amazing faith in God sustained her and continually gave her a vision for the unreached. While the book itself was slow moving at points, I have never read of someone with such an extreme faith, one that manifested itself in love, encouragement, and joy at all times. Lilias certainly receives 6 out of 5 stars.
* During her lifetime, Lilias published somewhere upward of 30 books on life in Christ, in Algeria, and among the lost. Unfortunately, all are out of print and under the protection of the Arab World Alliance. I'm definitely writing them in attempts to get some in print. The best part of this book was whenever it quoted Lilias from her diary or books.
This work began with the early stages of Lilias' life, everything from her family life, her volunteer work, and her love affair with the world of art. Being an extremely talented artist, she was offered to study under the best Europe had to offer, John Ruskin, in order to fully develop her skill. As much as Lilias loved art, and John it seems as well, her heart truly lay in God's work.
Lilias served in the deserts of Algeria for over 40 years. Her time was not without struggles, yet her amazing faith in God sustained her and continually gave her a vision for the unreached. While the book itself was slow moving at points, I have never read of someone with such an extreme faith, one that manifested itself in love, encouragement, and joy at all times. Lilias certainly receives 6 out of 5 stars.
* During her lifetime, Lilias published somewhere upward of 30 books on life in Christ, in Algeria, and among the lost. Unfortunately, all are out of print and under the protection of the Arab World Alliance. I'm definitely writing them in attempts to get some in print. The best part of this book was whenever it quoted Lilias from her diary or books.
March 28, 2016
I don't remember where I originally heard about this book but a British moving to Algeria of course would seem interesting to me.
Then I heard about a movie coming out call Many Beautiful Things (I am going to see it on Wed) about the life of Lilias Trotter and I knew the time was right to read it (and the Austin library didn't have it but I requested it and they bought it).
What an amazing woman. She live at the turn of the century in England as an independently wealthy woman and could have given herself fully to her art but instead knew God was calling her to something different and that was to give her life living in North Africa, which at that time was a French colony-sometimes that was helpful, others not.
This book is really detailed and gave information on each trip and thing she did each year in Algeria, which might be a little much for people.
But there is so much take away, while she often worked herself too hard and it hurt her health, she also regularly took two months off and said that she needed two weeks alone with God each year. She was ahead of her time in ways to share Jesus others.
She never married and it was never mentioned, she never said she was glad to devote herself fully to her work nor did she say anything about missing having a family. But she did have a team.
I enjoyed how much of the book were direct quotations from her devotions, letters and other writings so we got to know her through her own eyes.
Some of her art was included but I also got a book of her work that was nice to have at the same time as reading this.
Then I heard about a movie coming out call Many Beautiful Things (I am going to see it on Wed) about the life of Lilias Trotter and I knew the time was right to read it (and the Austin library didn't have it but I requested it and they bought it).
What an amazing woman. She live at the turn of the century in England as an independently wealthy woman and could have given herself fully to her art but instead knew God was calling her to something different and that was to give her life living in North Africa, which at that time was a French colony-sometimes that was helpful, others not.
This book is really detailed and gave information on each trip and thing she did each year in Algeria, which might be a little much for people.
But there is so much take away, while she often worked herself too hard and it hurt her health, she also regularly took two months off and said that she needed two weeks alone with God each year. She was ahead of her time in ways to share Jesus others.
She never married and it was never mentioned, she never said she was glad to devote herself fully to her work nor did she say anything about missing having a family. But she did have a team.
I enjoyed how much of the book were direct quotations from her devotions, letters and other writings so we got to know her through her own eyes.
Some of her art was included but I also got a book of her work that was nice to have at the same time as reading this.
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