It's from Anne of Green Gables, 

by L. M. Montgomery - good guess! Madi, my 8-year old, and I have been reading this delightful book during bedtime. Let me tell you - if you're looking for a book to read aloud that will help you practice breath support, this is the book for you! Anne has some wonderful monologues! But I digress. 

We came across a scene the other night that impressed me. Anne has been told to say her prayers and askes earnestly, 

"Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I'll tell you what I'd do. I'd go out into a great big field all alone or into the deep, deep, woods, and I'd look up into the sky - up - up - up - into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its bluness. And then I'd just FEEL a prayer." 

I know how you feel, Anne. So very often our man-made institutions fall short in connecting us with God, who said, 

“Heaven is my throne, and the earth my footstool. What sort of house will you build for me? says the Lord, or what will be my resting place? Did not my hand make all these things? - Acts 7:49-50

Marilla then realizes, "...that that simple little prayer, [Now I lay me down to sleep],...was entirely unsuited to this freckled witch of a girl who knew and cared nothing bout God's love, since she had never had it translated to her through the medium of human love." 

Oh, how I love that reminder! The Holy Spirit works with us and through us to reveal His love to others around us. Wow! This is why we say All the World is a Stage because Jesus said "you are the light of the world...No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15).   

Every time I light a candle this fall (and I light a lot of candles in the fall!), I'll be thinking of Anne and wondering, am I translating God's love through my love today?