The Measure of a Heart

Anna hasn't envisioned her life outside of the context of living with her large family, doing her share of hard work on their farm. But when a young pastor asks Anna to be his wife, she accepts, despite her shock at his proposal and her belief that she isn't cut out for the role in The Measure of a Heart by author Janette Oke.

I've lost track of how many times I've read this novel from the Women of the West series over the years. Four times? Five? It was quite a read for me back in my young adult days, as I shared Anna's love for books, and I empathized with her feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Even now, while its way of teaching/sermonizing at times isn't my style, this simple ChristFic tale is uplifting comfort reading for me.

Sure, it show more has its flaws. Too many dashes that sometimes give the dialogue a jerky feel; too many tears where less could have been more for the story's emotional impact; and though I understand how Anna feels, her criticism of herself becomes redundant and her reasoning for it doesn't always make sense.

What I wasn't aware of in my younger days is just how much Anna's thoughts of identity revolve around how she doesn't think she measures up where her good husband, his ministry, and his needs are concerned, let alone what Anna may think about herself as a person in her own right.

Still, Anna's shrewdness and shine are still there, even when she doesn't know it, and needing to find a true sense of self-worth is something so many people can relate to. I quite enjoyed revisiting this story. show less

A well told story of a young girl, with a thirst for knowledge and a heart to help others. She will grow into a beautiful lady, will marry a young pastor, and although she does a wonderful job as a pastor's wife, she always feels inadequate. Will she ever be able to see herself as God does and as others around her do??

I enjoyed the way this couple met, fell in love and worked together building a church up in a small community. It was heartwarming.

"Everyone knows that Anna Trent is a woman of worth. Everyone except Anna, that is. The oldest child in a farming family, Anna feels fortunate to have received an education. She loved school, loved to learn, loved the excitement of discovery. But now, as she graduates at age sixteen, it looks like all that is over. Then Austin Barker comes to town to fill the pastorate for the summer months. The young seminarian is captured by Anna's intense desire to learn. Through his books and correspondence, Anna's education continues to expand, and the sweet country girl grows into a lovely young woman. Still, Anna is shocked when Austin asks her to marry him. Why would he choose her? If only her feelings of inadequacy and self-consciousness would show more go away..." --Back cover. show less

I could identify with the main character feeling inadequate to perform the duties of her "job" even though we have different jobs. I think that's one of the reasons I kept this book for so long after reading it before years ago.

Anna Trent, a shy, sensitive, self-conscious young woman who loves to learn, captures the attention of a young seminarian. Their relationship grows through the years, as they exchange books and correspondence.

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