Meg March is me, I am Meg March

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As a young girl reading Little Women I always wanted to be like Jo March. She was fun and spritely and witty, and had really lively friends. She was a passionate writer and a (sometimes impractical) thinker. She was bold and said what she thought with frankness. In some ways I am like Jo: I am a writer and a (sometimes too practical) thinker. Sometimes I just outright “say it how it is” without thinking twice about how it might effect other people. But, as much as I aspired to be a Jo, I’m a Meg through and through.

I am the down to earth oldest sister, who may be seen as the wet blanket in a group of siblings and/or cousins because of my conscious and practicality. I am proud to a fault, and it’s my pride that keeps me stoic sometimes. I try my very best to keep our home running smoothly, effectively, and cheerfully, but I tend to find myself complaining about the very same things Meg does.

“Why do I have to deal with kids who can be so unpleasant sometimes?”

“I wish I had nicer clothes and plenty of money to spend on things and outings.”

“I wish I had lots of fun friends like so and so.”

“I wish I was as accomplished as so and so.”

And just like Meg, I have not yet fully “learned to know how rich [I am] in blessings which alone can make life happy.” (From Little Women by Louisa May Alcott) But, I am learning. I may not be able to afford the wardrobe I want, but I’m never hungry. I may not be able to go on expensive outings, but I have a comfortable home where all my physical needs are met. I may not have tons of friends, but I have parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins who truly love and care about me. I may not be greatly accomplished, but God has blessed me with many hobbies and gifts that I could maybe some day use to the point of being accomplished.

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I want to encourage all the seemingly overlooked and depressed or discouraged Meg’s out there. Don’t be discouraged! God made you the way you are with a plan in mind. Remember that, even though Meg wanted to live in luxury and be pampered the rest of her life, she married a kind, lovely man and had sweet children and lived in a cottage where she had to work hard and was never wealthy, but she was happy and content. (That sounds like a dream to me!)

Which of the characters in Little Women do you identify with the most? Are you encouraged by the wise words in this 150+ year old classic? Leave a comment!