This post is by Deborah Talbert, loving and faithful wife to Pastor Bud Talbert and mother to five children, one of whom is my husband, David. Her teaching has shaped my life, as it has many, many women who knew her. On January 15, 2023, she passed into eternity after a battle with pancreatic cancer. We learned much from her as she suffered and trusted God to the end. This article was written years ago, and she didn’t merely teach these truths; she lived them out. Articles on this site have been republished with her blessing and are here to allow her life’s work to continue to touch lives.
Amy Carmichael’s missionary labours extended over five decades beginning in the late Victorian period and sweeping through the Edwardian period of Britain’s history. Though she began her work in Japan, the majority of her years were spent ministering to women and children in India. A serious evaluation of her soul’s health was a daily habit with Amy. She understood clearly that to minister effectively to others one must first tend to his own relationship with the Lord. She realized that though we cannot always control what comes into our lives, we can, and should, control our responses to those events as we daily yield our lives to the Lord.
Amy Carmichael wrote profusely about her experiences and the lessons she gleaned from walking closely with the Lord. One of her best-loved books is entitled “IF,” a small volume that cuts right to the heart of those seeking to show the love of Christ to the world.
Some poignant excerpts include the following:
If I do not feel far more for the grieved Saviour than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude forgetting ‘Who made thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou hast not received?’ then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, ‘You do not understand,’ or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other’s highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I refuse to be a corn of wheat that falls into the ground and dies (‘is separated from all in which it lived before’), then I know nothing of Calvary love.
“IF” is a book all Christian workers should read prayerfully. Out of print blue-covered copies may be found in second hand stores. More recently Christian Literature Crusade Publishers has reprinted a number of Amy Carmichael’s works. “IF” is well worth having in your library.
Suggested Reading:
An anthology of most of the poetry of Amy Carmichael—565 poems gathered from her published books. The untitled poems were given titles and all were arranged by the editors under seven major headings: Worship, Petition, Surrender, Ministry, Wartime, Encouragement and Youthful Thoughts. (Amazon description)
This beautifully illustrated children’s biography of Amy Carmichael (1867-1951) features stylish illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos. It is part of a series designed to show kids that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. (Suggested for ages 4 to 7.) (Amazon description)
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Post-featured image comes from this site, which is also a great resource on Carmichael’s life and work:
