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1 " Our daughters aren’t the same people we are, nor are they extensions of ourselves. They are unique individuals in God’s eyes, responsible to Him for the choices they make, not to their mothers. "
― Lynn Austin , Though Waters Roar
2 " There’s no shame in changing direction, Harriet. In fact, once you’ve seen the warning signs, it’s always wise to turn around. "
3 " Love isn’t always a feeling. Sometimes it’s a decision. "
4 " Jesus’ harshest words were for the moral guardians of His day - the Pharisees. They wanted to dictate morality too, but Jesus called them hypocrites and white-washed tombs. It isn’t our calling as Christians to write laws that force people to live moral lives. As much as our communities might need them, and as bad as things are, imposing our morality on others isn’t the answer. It doesn’t work. People may be forced to give up alcohol, but they are still going to hell. That’s our calling – to bring people to Christ not to force them to behave the way we want them to or to solve all their external problems. "
5 " We can make stricter laws, Harriet, but people will just figure out a way around them if their hearts are hardened. The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves, but it couldn’t make people accept the negros. They’re still hated and treated unfairly and given only the poorest paying jobs. When the suffrage amendment passes and women are allowed to vote, there will still be many more battles to win. Men who are biased against women are not going to treat us equally overnight. No, there aren’t enough laws in the world to change human nature. We’ve had the Ten Commandments since Moses’ time and people still murder and steal every day. Only God can change people. "
6 " But I’ve come to realize that our short time here on earth isn’t about what we accomplish but about what sort of people we become. I’m at the end of my life now. When I look back on the work I’ve done, I see that God was using it to teach me to care about someone besides myself. He's been working compassion in your mother too, and also with you judging by the risk you just took for your friends. God also uses our circumstances to teach us to rely on Him; that was the first lesson I ever learned when I helped deliver those slaves in our wagon. That's why my mother brought me with her in the first place. She told me that we would grow stronger every time our faith is tested; that's how we learn to trust God. "
