As much as I love Elizabeth Bennet, Anne Shirley, and Jo March, I’d have to say that Pollyanna sits near the top of my literary heroines list. “Pollyanna” as a cultural reference brings to mind visions of sugary-sweet cheerfulness, unrealistic optimism and trite Annie-esque references about “the sun coming out tomorrow.” The urban dictionary goes as far as to refer to a Pollyanna-like person as absurd and naïve, with a self-righteous moral superiority.
I confess that I think Pollyanna gets a bad rap. But for those who have not read Pollyanna and its sequel Pollyanna Grows Up, I’ll acquaint you: At age 11, Pollyanna is orphaned and sent to live with her Aunt Polly, a stern, unfeeling woman, who sees Pollyanna as her duty, a burden to endure. Pollyanna, an outgoing, talkative and curious child walks into this scenario with hope and optimism that few can understand even in the midst of mourning her beloved father. She brings her “glad game” “about finding something in everything to be glad about” and begins to share it with the people of the town. Her father, a pastor, created this game when battling doubt and discouragement. He was convicted by the “rejoicing texts” in the Bible, seeing that “if God took the trouble to tell us eight hundred times to be glad and rejoice, He must want us to do it—SOME.”
Pollyanna wasn’t some two-dimensional, static character—she played her game when life had given her many reasons for despair. For this reason, I propose taking a page from Pollyanna’s book (pun intended) to assess our own “gladness,” to evaluate how we “play the game” in the midst of all that assails us. God-infused gladness is a source of hope, and this is why Pollyanna can speak to us now.
She pointed people toward hope, thankfulness and beauty. She encouraged with words and actions, believing the best of and for people.
One day, Pollyanna came across the town’s minister. He was discouraged and burned out. She spoke of her father, shared her “rejoicing texts” and her game, then continued on her way. He returned to write his sermon and came across this text in a devotional, confirming what Pollyanna shared:
“What men and women need is encouragement. Their natural resisting powers should be strengthened, not weakened. . . . Instead of always harping on a man’s faults, tell him of his virtues. Try to pull him out of his rut of bad habits. Hold up to him his better self, he REAL self that can dare and do and win out! . . . The influence of a beautiful, helpful, hopeful character is contagious, and may revolutionize a whole town . . . People radiate what is in their minds and in their hearts. If a man feels kindly and obliging, his neighbors will feel that way, too, before long. But if he scolds and scowls and criticizes—his neighbors will return scowl for scowl, and add interest!”
I’ve been both kinds of people described here. I’ve been affected by both kinds of people. I know which one I want to be: encouraging, kind, hopeful—believing the best. I ask myself: What am I known for? What are the contents of my conversations? What are the contents of my thoughts? Do I believe that it all matters, that, like Pollyanna, a “whole town [could be] wonderfully happier—and all because of one little girl who taught the people a new game, and how to play it.”
She fought for joy—not only for her friends (which she considered to be every person she met), but for herself. And later, when a time comes when she could not play her game, those she had carried in turn carried her.
My favorite part in the book comes after a tragic event (I won’t spoil it). Pollyanna, for the first time, was unable to play her game. The people of the town came, one after another, sharing story after story of how Pollyanna had impacted each of their lives. They fought for her, encouraged her, hoped for her. I cry every time I read their accounts.
I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul…
Perfect constancy is not the goal. Sometimes I feel I hit every geographical feature in one week—from mountain to valley to plateau and lots in between. Fighting for joy is often like looking up even as I am sliding back. And when I can’t muster anything, when I’m sinking, there is a friend to buoy my heart, reach out and take my hand. Isn’t that how the Christian life is supposed to work?
Pollyanna lived—vibrantly. She exclaims to her Aunt, “Just breathing isn’t living!” Her joy in everyday moments was contagious, the sight of her smile walking down the lane brightened the sourest of moods, and the townspeople felt that she brought breath and life to them. The beauty is that Pollyanna never sees this. People call her “medicine” and she discounts it; she is unconscious of how her presence illuminates darkness.
We want a rich and robust presence (yes, coffee analogy). But without God fueling our hearts and souls, we’ll be nothing but lukewarm coffee with only powdered creamer on hand. This Easter season I want to feast on gladness, I want to rejoice. More rejoicing, less internet surfing.
But the righteous shall be glad;
they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy!
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
As we walk through each day, with whatever that day brings, let the act of thankfulness not be a standard, trite offering. In spite of all that threatens to overwhelm (and we all have our battles), fight for gratitude, for a heart that rejoices in the Lord, for gladness—because “…if God took the trouble to tell us eight hundred times to be glad and rejoice, He must want us to do it—SOME.”
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
thanks for reading,
~Stephanie
EXTRA THREADS
- Pollyanna and Pollyanna Grows Up {free on Kindle}
- The best movie version of Pollyanna {and it doesn’t feature Hayley Mills}
- My favorite source for literary decor/art inspired by literary heroines — Carrot Top Paper Shop
- A favorite devotional — The Songs of Jesus: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms by Tim Keller. It’s fabulous.
- My favorite podcast for perspective and peace in the midst of crazy life: The Next Right Thing Podcast by Emily P. Freeman
- On neighboring and community: The Turquoise Table