“What good would she be to us?”
p. 35
“We might be some good to her,” said Matthew suddenly and unexpectedly.
Marilla’s question was answered in due time, and Matthew’s statement proved true in due time as well. The plan all along was to get an orphan boy to help Matthew, and Marilla looked at the situation in that light. But Matthew’s heart was stirred to something beyond himself. He saw the flicker of a possibility of a greater purpose. A purpose beyond himself and Marilla. His need of help was transformed through this chance mistake to a chance to serve, to help, to give love, to benefit another. And embracing that purpose confronted Marilla’s weedy skepticism, turned it’s soil, and scattered seeds that bore the fruit of a beautiful life.
Lingering Over Leaves 