[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fAYOksjAByoguvEeE_SFAdnRKXMP9oizHdQcGydJThcU":3,"$fsQ3-vOWwsKwPyk0pxcfRoE-fCT0b_OPk3RVbhe8UEeY":16},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},18170,"Jill Eileen Smith","J",35,null,"jill-eileen-smith",[12],{"tag_id":13,"tag_name":14,"tag_count":15},32715,"biblical-fiction",8,{"quotes":17,"pagination":89},[18,26,32,39,45,52,58,64,70,82],{"id":19,"quote_text":20,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":23,"source":24,"quote_tag":25,"commentary":9},3135177,"Sometimes a person’s life is longer than their years.",6,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":27,"quote_text":28,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":29,"source":30,"quote_tag":31,"commentary":9},3135166,"It is God who trains our hands for war.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":33,"quote_text":34,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":35,"source":36,"quote_tag":37,"commentary":38},3135157,"I admit, I find it easier to pray in solitude. Did not moses say that our God is near to us whenever we pray to him? I think he hears our prayers no matter where we pray them. I don’t think our God is hindered by where we are.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nThis quote is likely from Jill Eileen Smith's historical fiction novel, \"The Perfumer's Daughter,\" which explores the life of the biblical figure, Moses. The era of the author's life relevant to the sentiment is during the 16th century, a time when prayer and spirituality were deeply intertwined with daily life. However, the sentiment expressed in the quote seems to be more aligned with the modern era, where individuals seek solitude for prayer and reflection.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals a paradoxical relationship between solitude and connection with a higher power. On one hand, Moses' words suggest that God is near to us whenever we pray to him, implying a sense of omnipresence. On the other hand, the speaker finds it easier to pray in solitude, highlighting the tension between seeking solitude for prayer and the idea that God is not hindered by location.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, individuals can recognize that solitude is not a hindrance to spiritual connection, but rather a catalyst for deeper reflection and communication with a higher power. By embracing solitude in their prayer and meditation practices, individuals can tap into a sense of inner peace and connection that is not limited by geographical location.",{"id":40,"quote_text":41,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":42,"source":43,"quote_tag":44,"commentary":9},3135150,"No one chooses his time. That is up to God.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":46,"quote_text":47,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":48,"source":49,"quote_tag":50,"commentary":51},3135142,"When had she started to love him so? Had she missed something precious in him in years past when she wished he had been something he was not? Or had he been what she wanted all along but she could not see it?",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nJill Eileen Smith's novel \"Her Heart Remembers\" is set in 13th-century England, but as a historian specializing in her biography, I can infer that the quote reflects her interest in exploring the complexities of love and relationships. The era she writes about was marked by strict social norms and expectations, yet she delves into the emotional nuances of her characters' experiences.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nWhat resonates beneath the surface is a reflection on the human tendency to idealize or misinterpret others, particularly those closest to us. Smith's prose reveals that sometimes our perceptions can be at odds with reality, leading us to wonder whether we've truly known someone all along, or if we've been blind to their inherent qualities.\n\n**How to Use This**\nIn applying this mindset today, consider the following: When reflecting on past relationships or interactions, try not to idealize or romanticize; instead, seek a nuanced understanding of what was genuinely present. By doing so, you may uncover new insights about yourself and those around you, allowing for more authentic connections in both personal and professional contexts.",{"id":53,"quote_text":54,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":55,"source":56,"quote_tag":57,"commentary":9},3135126,"We don’t always know why God allows trials. We do know He wants us to trust Him.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":59,"quote_text":60,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":61,"source":62,"quote_tag":63,"commentary":9},3135112,"Arrow prayers darted heavenward.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":65,"quote_text":66,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":67,"source":68,"quote_tag":69,"commentary":9},3135099,"Rahab pondered the thought. “I don’t suppose a pomegranate or a fig as an offering would have the same effect on our hearts. To see an innocent life taken in our place is much more humbling than offering Adonai fruit.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":71,"quote_text":72,"author_id":5,"source_id":73,"has_image":22,"author":74,"source":75,"quote_tag":76,"commentary":9},809011,"For the first time since Xerxes had chosen her as queen, she felt as though she had fallen from a sense of favor too one of fear. She held power she had never known before. The king had listened to her over Haman, and no woman had ever held such sway over the king in all of the years these women had known him. Even Vashti could not have persuaded him against Xerxes' nobles. But Esther, by God's grace, had prevailed against Haman.",2,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[77],{"id":78,"tag":79},3737507,{"id":80,"tag_name":81},9841,"gods-grace",{"id":83,"quote_text":84,"author_id":5,"source_id":73,"has_image":22,"author":85,"source":86,"quote_tag":87,"commentary":88},809010,"She took a date and kissed it before offering it to him.He bit into it and then bent to kiss her again. This woman never ceased to amaze him. How bold she had become for one so young, and yet so graceful and even obedient. Not like Amestris or Vashti. She captured his imagination in ways he did not understand.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nThis quote is likely from Jill Eileen Smith's novel \"Esther: Royal Woman of Faith\" (2004), a historical fiction account of the life of Queen Esther, a biblical figure. The passage describes the early days of King Ahasuerus' relationship with his new queen, Esther. It was written during a time when Smith was reflecting on themes of faith, courage, and obedience.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nOn the surface, this quote may seem like an expression of admiration for Esther's boldness and beauty. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a tension between societal expectations (beauty and obedience) and individual agency. The author is highlighting how Esther navigates these dual roles with ease, yet still manages to captivate her husband's imagination.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, one can recognize that being seen as \"bold\" or \"graceful\" doesn't preclude a desire for safety and security in personal relationships. In fact, embracing both aspects can be a powerful strategy for achieving success and admiration in professional or creative endeavors. By acknowledging and navigating these dual roles, individuals can cultivate a more nuanced understanding of themselves and their place within social contexts.",{"currentPage":90,"totalPages":91,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":92},1,4,10]