What do you think?
Rate this book
Women of the West #6
The Measure of a Heart
Anna Trent felt fortunate to finish the eighth grade with first-class honors. Already past her sixteenth birthday, most of the girls her age had been forced long ago to drop out to help at home. She loved school loved to learn, loved the excitement of new discoveries, loved the quickening of her pulse as she shared some great adventure in the pages of a book. And now that is over. The oldest child in a farming family with six young brothers, Anna is shy, sensitive and a bit self-conscious. But when Austin Barker comes to their church to fill the pastorate for the summer months, the young seminarian is captured by Anna's admirable qualities, especially her intense desire to learn. Through his books and correspondence, Anna's education continues to expand, and the sweet country girl grows into a lovely woman. When they meet again, will she be able to believe that Austin's words are sincere? Despite the compassion and grace she so effectively lives, and despite her selfless commitment to God and His Word, what can she do when time does not erase the inadequacy she feels or her struggles with the standard that measures her heart? Will she ever be able to see herself as others do? If only the feelings of guilt and inadequacy would go away-
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
70 people are currently reading
1245 people want to read
About the author
Janette Oke
347 books3,431 followersJanette Oke is a Canadian author known for her inspirational fiction, often set in a pioneer era and focused on female protagonists. Her debut novel, Love Comes Softly (1979), became the foundation for a successful series, followed by over 75 other novels. The first book in her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), inspired the popular television series of the same name.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
June 20, 2021
This is the sixth book in Jeanette Oke's Women of the West series. This story is about a young lady who at the book's beginning had just graduated from the eighth grade. Back in the mid eighteen hundreds that was a lot of education for a woman to have. Quite often they didn't go that far in their education. Many were needed at home to help their mother with household chores. Unless you were from a rich family a young woman didn't get to pursue a higher education.
Anna Trent wanted nothing more than to continue on in her education, so it was with a heavy heart that she received her eighth grade certificate . Anna was an obedient and humble girl and wasn't the least bit interested in dating. She became friends with a seminary student pastor who came to her church to temporarily replace their regular pastor who was taking the summer off. Pastor Austin Baker would lend her books she could read to further her knowledge into the scriptures. He marveled at her intelligence and eagerness to learn. After he left the church to return to seminary they kept up their friendship through writing letters to one another. No one was more surprised than Anna when Austin asked her to be his wife. Anna felt she wasn't qualified to be a pastor's wife. She was just a simple girl lacking in education with not much to offer as a life partner to a pastor.
I fell in love with the characters in this story. I loved that Anna was so humble and sincere in her faith. She did not see herself as others seen her. The author shared with readers how pastors in that time era struggled financially to make ends meet. Their only source of income came from a percentage of what church members put in the offering plate. Often they went without enough food and couldn't afford clothes. This was very hard especially for young pastors that went to a town to start a new church, as was the case here for Anna and Austin. They had to count their change and make do with what they had. They had to trust God many times to provide for their needs.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy Janette Oke's Classic stories. All books in this series can be read as a stand alone.
I borrowed a copy of this book from the digital library. A review wasn't requested . All opinions expressed here are my own.
Anna Trent wanted nothing more than to continue on in her education, so it was with a heavy heart that she received her eighth grade certificate . Anna was an obedient and humble girl and wasn't the least bit interested in dating. She became friends with a seminary student pastor who came to her church to temporarily replace their regular pastor who was taking the summer off. Pastor Austin Baker would lend her books she could read to further her knowledge into the scriptures. He marveled at her intelligence and eagerness to learn. After he left the church to return to seminary they kept up their friendship through writing letters to one another. No one was more surprised than Anna when Austin asked her to be his wife. Anna felt she wasn't qualified to be a pastor's wife. She was just a simple girl lacking in education with not much to offer as a life partner to a pastor.
I fell in love with the characters in this story. I loved that Anna was so humble and sincere in her faith. She did not see herself as others seen her. The author shared with readers how pastors in that time era struggled financially to make ends meet. Their only source of income came from a percentage of what church members put in the offering plate. Often they went without enough food and couldn't afford clothes. This was very hard especially for young pastors that went to a town to start a new church, as was the case here for Anna and Austin. They had to count their change and make do with what they had. They had to trust God many times to provide for their needs.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy Janette Oke's Classic stories. All books in this series can be read as a stand alone.
I borrowed a copy of this book from the digital library. A review wasn't requested . All opinions expressed here are my own.
January 30, 2020
Anna hasn't envisioned her life outside of the context of living with her large family, doing her share of hard work on their farm. But when a young pastor asks Anna to be his wife, she accepts, despite her shock at his proposal and her belief that she isn't cut out for the role in The Measure of a Heart by author Janette Oke.
I've lost track of how many times I've read this novel from the Women of the West series over the years. Four times? Five? It was quite a read for me back in my young adult days, as I shared Anna's love for books, and I empathized with her feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Even now, while its way of teaching/sermonizing at times isn't my style, this simple ChristFic tale is uplifting comfort reading for me.
Sure, it has its flaws. Too many dashes that sometimes give the dialogue a jerky feel; too many tears where less could have been more for the story's emotional impact; and though I understand how Anna feels, her criticism of herself becomes redundant and her reasoning for it doesn't always make sense.
What I wasn't aware of in my younger days is just how much Anna's thoughts of identity revolve around how she doesn't think she measures up where her good husband, his ministry, and his needs are concerned, let alone what Anna may think about herself as a person in her own right.
Still, Anna's shrewdness and shine are still there, even when she doesn't know it, and needing to find a true sense of self-worth is something so many people can relate to. I quite enjoyed revisiting this story.
I've lost track of how many times I've read this novel from the Women of the West series over the years. Four times? Five? It was quite a read for me back in my young adult days, as I shared Anna's love for books, and I empathized with her feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Even now, while its way of teaching/sermonizing at times isn't my style, this simple ChristFic tale is uplifting comfort reading for me.
Sure, it has its flaws. Too many dashes that sometimes give the dialogue a jerky feel; too many tears where less could have been more for the story's emotional impact; and though I understand how Anna feels, her criticism of herself becomes redundant and her reasoning for it doesn't always make sense.
What I wasn't aware of in my younger days is just how much Anna's thoughts of identity revolve around how she doesn't think she measures up where her good husband, his ministry, and his needs are concerned, let alone what Anna may think about herself as a person in her own right.
Still, Anna's shrewdness and shine are still there, even when she doesn't know it, and needing to find a true sense of self-worth is something so many people can relate to. I quite enjoyed revisiting this story.
June 4, 2012
Anna, the main character, learned a valuable principle: God doesn't need our great abilities, good works, talents... but our Father, God desires our faithfulness, obedience, and a sweet intimacy with HIM. When we have that, we naturally surrender our lives to God and our "little" becomes "MUCH".. .I have seen that with each ministry opportunity God has called me to. God uses my lack of ability, my weaknesses and continually :) keeps me humbled while in HIS great mercy and Faithfulness, showing that as HIS servant... we are called to do HIS purpose, not our own!!
January 1, 2023
It's just okay, really, just okay. There are some really good truths in there and if you focus on the good things it is a pretty good story. However, Anna is so SO unsure of herself(to the point that you just think, "really, you really think that your inadequate, you got to be kidding me!").
March 19, 2023
Hmmm... a good plot, but I didn't really care for the age gap between Anna and Austin - it threw me off that they met when she was literally a child and he was already an adult. Other than that, I liked the story. :)
January 2, 2025
The sweet story of a young woman who feels vastly under-qualified to be a preacher’s wife but lives a life of quiet & faithful service as she comes to realise a willing heart—not showy acts—is what God desires most in His children.
Is it perfect? Of course not, but it’s a touching story to any heart that feels less than its calling. 💛
Is it perfect? Of course not, but it’s a touching story to any heart that feels less than its calling. 💛
July 21, 2010
Now this is what I call a fluffy book! No real conflict, just a story. Anna was slightly annoying with her constant self doubting, but I was surprised how quickly the pages flew by. Not as good as Oke's other books, but still enjoyable if you want an easy read.
July 8, 2018
This is one of the standalone novels in Janette Oke's Women of the West series. Sixteen-year-old Anna has just completed the eighth grade and wishes that her learning could continue but she is needed at home. As luck would have it, a young interim pastor arrives for the summer who also loves learning and reading and has a library he is willing to share with her. They discuss what she reads and he is impressed with her comprehension and depth of insight.
When he returns to his studies, they continue to exchange books and notes about them through the mail. Two years later, Austin graduates from the seminary and Anna is invited to attend the graduation with her pastor and his wife. So yes, I think you can see where this story line is headed and you would be correct. The real theme of the book, however, would be Anna's shyness and self-consciousness, the inadequacy she feels about her looks and her abilities. Through the experiences she has in the next few years, she learns much about herself and others, realizing that others do and have felt the same way that she does. This is the story of that journey. It is at times touching, sad and occasionally humorous.
To be honest, I wasn't particularly impressed with most of the writing. In the beginning, the sentence fragments really bothered me. I didn't immediately become invested in the story and wondered if it was one of Oke's earlier novels (having read others that I enjoyed more). This novel was published approximately 30 years after her first novel, so that wasn't the case. I do feel the writing in the final +/- 20 pages was the best writing of the book and I am glad I read all the way to the end. There's not a lot of action or excitement in this book, but it is a quick, clean, sweet read of a life centered in Christ.
A couple of favorite parts:
Austin reporting to Anna what Pastor Angus said at the Conference:
" 'I don't believe God keeps the same set of statistics that we as the church find it necessary to keep. . . . God's records are of another sort. How faithful to your calling? How concerned over lost souls? How willing to be obedient? How close a walk with Him? God doesn't care so much about statistics. But about faithfulness, commitment, obedience, devotion. That's what He wants to see. Growth. Personal growth.' " (pp. 202-203)
Mrs. Angus to Anna:
"Remember, my dear. Your greatest and most important task is to be you. . . . That is enough. Don't try too hard to be all of those other things. Just . . . just continue to be Anna. Give God you, Anna. All of you. Just as He made you." (p. 214)
When he returns to his studies, they continue to exchange books and notes about them through the mail. Two years later, Austin graduates from the seminary and Anna is invited to attend the graduation with her pastor and his wife. So yes, I think you can see where this story line is headed and you would be correct. The real theme of the book, however, would be Anna's shyness and self-consciousness, the inadequacy she feels about her looks and her abilities. Through the experiences she has in the next few years, she learns much about herself and others, realizing that others do and have felt the same way that she does. This is the story of that journey. It is at times touching, sad and occasionally humorous.
To be honest, I wasn't particularly impressed with most of the writing. In the beginning, the sentence fragments really bothered me. I didn't immediately become invested in the story and wondered if it was one of Oke's earlier novels (having read others that I enjoyed more). This novel was published approximately 30 years after her first novel, so that wasn't the case. I do feel the writing in the final +/- 20 pages was the best writing of the book and I am glad I read all the way to the end. There's not a lot of action or excitement in this book, but it is a quick, clean, sweet read of a life centered in Christ.
A couple of favorite parts:
Austin reporting to Anna what Pastor Angus said at the Conference:
" 'I don't believe God keeps the same set of statistics that we as the church find it necessary to keep. . . . God's records are of another sort. How faithful to your calling? How concerned over lost souls? How willing to be obedient? How close a walk with Him? God doesn't care so much about statistics. But about faithfulness, commitment, obedience, devotion. That's what He wants to see. Growth. Personal growth.' " (pp. 202-203)
Mrs. Angus to Anna:
"Remember, my dear. Your greatest and most important task is to be you. . . . That is enough. Don't try too hard to be all of those other things. Just . . . just continue to be Anna. Give God you, Anna. All of you. Just as He made you." (p. 214)
July 22, 2024
Oh, boy. I hope I won't get too controversial here! Unlike some reviewers, I didn't mind the relationship between Anna and Austin at all - I thought it was cute and fun. And I really enjoy stories that continue after the wedding; especially as an unmarried woman myself, it's good to have books that don't finish with, "And then they got married, and every problem was instantly fixed, every trouble overcome, every character flaw resolved, and they lived happily ever after!" So that was good. But...
Anna is portrayed as unsure of herself and constantly feeling inadequate, but like many such characters, goes on to make decisions and lay down the law to her husband at times in a way that is very, very confident. I've always found that confusing. You either are or you aren't!
1 Timothy 5:8 reads, But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Austin, despite having no congregation and really nothing to do, does not even seem to consider finding some kind of work to support his family, even when Anna is cutting up her own clothing and blankets to clothe their babies and can barely make a meal. There is definitely the feeling that you are either a minister, or you work - not both. But neither does the leadership of their denomination, 'yearly conference' or not, see that their ministers have enough to live on. Now, this is more a critique of the church, not Janette Oke; but I just found this almost too painful to read and completely unbiblical that a man - young, strong, and healthy - would refuse to take care of his family's needs.
Anna is portrayed as unsure of herself and constantly feeling inadequate, but like many such characters, goes on to make decisions and lay down the law to her husband at times in a way that is very, very confident. I've always found that confusing. You either are or you aren't!
1 Timothy 5:8 reads, But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Austin, despite having no congregation and really nothing to do, does not even seem to consider finding some kind of work to support his family, even when Anna is cutting up her own clothing and blankets to clothe their babies and can barely make a meal. There is definitely the feeling that you are either a minister, or you work - not both. But neither does the leadership of their denomination, 'yearly conference' or not, see that their ministers have enough to live on. Now, this is more a critique of the church, not Janette Oke; but I just found this almost too painful to read and completely unbiblical that a man - young, strong, and healthy - would refuse to take care of his family's needs.
June 2, 2013
GRRR MARIA -.-
if you read this you might know what I mean.
I don't even feel like going into detail let's leave it at this:
I made my friend (who read it after me) count how often she nearly breaks out in tears/actually cries.
We got a total of whopping 28 times.
No further comment needed.
Two stars because there were some good biblical wisdoms in it but I couldn't warm to the story at all.
Sorry
if you read this you might know what I mean.
I don't even feel like going into detail let's leave it at this:
I made my friend (who read it after me) count how often she nearly breaks out in tears/actually cries.
We got a total of whopping 28 times.
No further comment needed.
Two stars because there were some good biblical wisdoms in it but I couldn't warm to the story at all.
Sorry
October 29, 2016
Wow! This is definitely another favorite! The story was amazing, and it really hit home for me! I was hooked by the first or second page! I read it kinda slow, so it wouldn't finish so soon!
March 25, 2020
This was a sweet, wholesome read that was perfect for my mood! It was both relaxing and really inspiring! It gave me Little House on the Prairie vibes (which I love!)
All in all, I enjoyed it!
All in all, I enjoyed it!
May 6, 2021
The Measure of a Heart (Women of the West #6) Paperback – April 1, 1998
Janette Oke has written another lovely book about a woman and her Christ-like attributes.
The more I read this book, the better it gets!
Anna has completed her 8th grade education, and is sad about not being able to continue going to school,
because she has a gift from God of loving to learn. She's needed to help her family on their farm, so she must say good-bye to further education. Anna is an unselfish, quiet and kind person, open to the needs of others.
Her upbringing gave her an inner commitment to God and His ways.
She got married, and was such a fitting helper for her husband! As time progresses, Anna
finds out how important she is to God, and this book covers some deep spiritual truths.
The development of Anna's personality as the book progresses is truly enjoyable to read about, and I highly recommend this book, The Measure of
a Heart, by Janette Oke.
Romans 10:8:13; John 3:16-21
Janette Oke has written another lovely book about a woman and her Christ-like attributes.
The more I read this book, the better it gets!
Anna has completed her 8th grade education, and is sad about not being able to continue going to school,
because she has a gift from God of loving to learn. She's needed to help her family on their farm, so she must say good-bye to further education. Anna is an unselfish, quiet and kind person, open to the needs of others.
Her upbringing gave her an inner commitment to God and His ways.
She got married, and was such a fitting helper for her husband! As time progresses, Anna
finds out how important she is to God, and this book covers some deep spiritual truths.
The development of Anna's personality as the book progresses is truly enjoyable to read about, and I highly recommend this book, The Measure of
a Heart, by Janette Oke.
Romans 10:8:13; John 3:16-21
January 20, 2025
Through books, her mind— her life— was made to stretch and grow and become more aware of the world about her and beyond her.
p. 13
One never knows how a person will respond in grief— or what will bring healing.
p. 149
There are more than one kind of tears. Let’s pray these are tears of healing.
p. 149
The secret is not in who we are— or what we are— but in our dedication to Him. In turning over all that we are— for His use— for His purpose. That is the secret. (It doesn’t matter how many talents we have been given) but whether we are willing to release that talent into the hand of God— to let Him make use of that ‘little thing’ as He desires. He ask only for us— as He has created us. He decides who we are, what we are, what abilities, aptitudes, and gifts we have. We decide whether we are going to willingly give what we are— who we are— back to Him.
p. 218
We are willing to say, “Here is my little, Lord. Cast it down, break it up, hurl it out, as you see fit.” Only then will we be of used to the master. Only then will we find fulfillment and contentment in life. Only then will we be given freedom released to serve.
p. 219
p. 13
One never knows how a person will respond in grief— or what will bring healing.
p. 149
There are more than one kind of tears. Let’s pray these are tears of healing.
p. 149
The secret is not in who we are— or what we are— but in our dedication to Him. In turning over all that we are— for His use— for His purpose. That is the secret. (It doesn’t matter how many talents we have been given) but whether we are willing to release that talent into the hand of God— to let Him make use of that ‘little thing’ as He desires. He ask only for us— as He has created us. He decides who we are, what we are, what abilities, aptitudes, and gifts we have. We decide whether we are going to willingly give what we are— who we are— back to Him.
p. 218
We are willing to say, “Here is my little, Lord. Cast it down, break it up, hurl it out, as you see fit.” Only then will we be of used to the master. Only then will we find fulfillment and contentment in life. Only then will we be given freedom released to serve.
p. 219
October 27, 2020
I liked this book, I think because the main character's struggle with walking in the grace of God is so real to me, and the author truly captures and explores relatable feelings with unique depth and understanding. The novel itself sometimes felt as though it was wandering, though perhaps it is meant to be less of a feel-good fast-paced journey and more of a picture of everyday struggles and joys. All in all, it was an enjoyable and relatable read that is not so much about the girl's romance as it is about her walk with God.
May 10, 2011
This was not a romance novel! It is a book that shows what it is like to be a servant of God in your everyday life--thoughts, actions, prayers... All too often we get caught up in what we perceive a good Christian should be like and the outcomes if we are achieving what we should be for God, but most of the time we set ourselves up for disappointment because the goal is unattainable for any human being. We need to strive to be the best we can and allow God to work with what we have.
March 13, 2012
Janette Oke is often kind of Hokey, but usually writes easy to read cute stories. This book however was just painfully "sweet"!
January 18, 2021
The action begins in the spring and also in the book, the whole action takes place in a small village.
In the book „The measure of a heart“ the author tells the story about Anna Trent. She is a teen girl, who I quote: „[…] already past her sixteenth birthday. […] loved to learn, loved the excitement of new discoveries, loved the quickening of her pulse as she shared some great adventure in the pages of a book.“ End quote. One summer she met a new church minister whose name was Austin Barker. They began to talk about the word of God, lifelong learning, because as Austin Barker said: „We never need to quit learning“ and he gave her a book. He gave Anna to read a book, which she could change to another after reading. I quote „Anna seemed to have no interest whatever in the young man – apart from the books he was willing to share“ end quote. Yet, among them arose what is called chemistry. Austin Barker I quote: „Needed a good wife to help him in his ministry“ end quote, so he asked Anna to marry him and she said yes! After that the story tells us about their lives together, about the challenges and each their relationship with God.
The main characters of this story, as you probably understand, were Anna Trent and Austin Barker, wife and husband, whose relationship close and sincere. Austin always said, that I quote „You’re good for me, Anna. You force me to think.“ Actually, it seems to me, that there is no end for they love. Anyway, I was most interested in Anna. I think she is close to me. Her thoughts, her problems are close to me. She thought that she is I quote: „not perfect for anything“. I really felt that emotion actually. She tried to find relationship with God, with herslef. I think, that it’s the story of that journey. Because it’s a journey, of course that her attitude, maturness and behavior change. At the end of the story she becomes not only a wife, but also a mother of two daughters. Through the experiences she learned so much not only about herslef, but about others too. I quote: „She had idolized Mrs. Angus as her teacher.“ She wanted to be as perfect as Mrs. Angus, but she didn’t know, that I quote: „I was never good with children. My husband used to chide me.“ So she realized that others also have problems and they are not as perfect as she think they are. If we talk about her husband, Austin Barker, I only can quote him: „I haven’t been living like I did. I’ve been trying to carry the whole load myself. I’ve been thinking that it all depended on me. How well I preached. How much I prayed. How effective I was.“ I think the two main characters have found themselves, the meaning of their lives – to be themselves.
Also, if we talk about realism, I think that plot and the description of the characters are realistic because the problems in this story is realistic. Actually I thought, that I read about real life because the main problem is about the relationship between humans and God. Some of characters didn’t believe in God, some did and I think if you writing about relationship between human and God, you can’t write unrealistic story, follow fairy tale or something like that.
I really didn’t want to read the book, I was scared. Everytime I looked at it, I just said „No, no, no, no, not this time“. I was afraid not to understand what I reading, so I set my goal: increase my speaking skills. So I read the book loudly. And when I couldn’t pronounce the word I looked at its translation and pronunciation. But I think that the language of this book is modern, easy and simple. Not as scary as I expected.
I think, that this book have really clear and important message, I really want to quote Mrs. Angus because I think, that what she said, is the main message and when she said this to Anna I cried, so the quote sounds like this: „Remember, my dear. Your greatest and most important task is to be you. You ar an intelligent, gifted, sensitive person. That is enough. Don’t try too hard to be all of those other things. Just.. just continue to be Anna. Give God you, Anna. All of you. Just as He made you.“
In the book „The measure of a heart“ the author tells the story about Anna Trent. She is a teen girl, who I quote: „[…] already past her sixteenth birthday. […] loved to learn, loved the excitement of new discoveries, loved the quickening of her pulse as she shared some great adventure in the pages of a book.“ End quote. One summer she met a new church minister whose name was Austin Barker. They began to talk about the word of God, lifelong learning, because as Austin Barker said: „We never need to quit learning“ and he gave her a book. He gave Anna to read a book, which she could change to another after reading. I quote „Anna seemed to have no interest whatever in the young man – apart from the books he was willing to share“ end quote. Yet, among them arose what is called chemistry. Austin Barker I quote: „Needed a good wife to help him in his ministry“ end quote, so he asked Anna to marry him and she said yes! After that the story tells us about their lives together, about the challenges and each their relationship with God.
The main characters of this story, as you probably understand, were Anna Trent and Austin Barker, wife and husband, whose relationship close and sincere. Austin always said, that I quote „You’re good for me, Anna. You force me to think.“ Actually, it seems to me, that there is no end for they love. Anyway, I was most interested in Anna. I think she is close to me. Her thoughts, her problems are close to me. She thought that she is I quote: „not perfect for anything“. I really felt that emotion actually. She tried to find relationship with God, with herslef. I think, that it’s the story of that journey. Because it’s a journey, of course that her attitude, maturness and behavior change. At the end of the story she becomes not only a wife, but also a mother of two daughters. Through the experiences she learned so much not only about herslef, but about others too. I quote: „She had idolized Mrs. Angus as her teacher.“ She wanted to be as perfect as Mrs. Angus, but she didn’t know, that I quote: „I was never good with children. My husband used to chide me.“ So she realized that others also have problems and they are not as perfect as she think they are. If we talk about her husband, Austin Barker, I only can quote him: „I haven’t been living like I did. I’ve been trying to carry the whole load myself. I’ve been thinking that it all depended on me. How well I preached. How much I prayed. How effective I was.“ I think the two main characters have found themselves, the meaning of their lives – to be themselves.
Also, if we talk about realism, I think that plot and the description of the characters are realistic because the problems in this story is realistic. Actually I thought, that I read about real life because the main problem is about the relationship between humans and God. Some of characters didn’t believe in God, some did and I think if you writing about relationship between human and God, you can’t write unrealistic story, follow fairy tale or something like that.
I really didn’t want to read the book, I was scared. Everytime I looked at it, I just said „No, no, no, no, not this time“. I was afraid not to understand what I reading, so I set my goal: increase my speaking skills. So I read the book loudly. And when I couldn’t pronounce the word I looked at its translation and pronunciation. But I think that the language of this book is modern, easy and simple. Not as scary as I expected.
I think, that this book have really clear and important message, I really want to quote Mrs. Angus because I think, that what she said, is the main message and when she said this to Anna I cried, so the quote sounds like this: „Remember, my dear. Your greatest and most important task is to be you. You ar an intelligent, gifted, sensitive person. That is enough. Don’t try too hard to be all of those other things. Just.. just continue to be Anna. Give God you, Anna. All of you. Just as He made you.“
October 16, 2019
In the book, The Measure of a Heart the author tells the story from Anna a teen who loves to learn. When she finishes the eighth grade at age sixteen she is very fortunate. She soon learns that Mr. and Mrs. Angus have to leave and there will be a replacement for the summer months. Mr. Barker is a handsome man is captured by her qualities and her desire to learn. Anna continues her education in many ways and has Mr. Barker there to help her.
My favorite part of the story was when Anna and Mr. Barker were married in Anna’s church. I like this part because I think it is a very romantic part in the story and it is a very big change in both their lives for the better. I like it because it was special to both of Mr Barker and Anna to have Mr. Angus, Anna’s neighbor until this past year, to perform the ceremony. I also like this part because I feel that Anna and Austin were meant to be because Anna loves to learn and Austin is there to help her learn and because he enjoys teaching her. In the end I really think it’s my favorite part in the book.
One reason I would recommend this book is that it is very interesting, exciting, and heartwarming. I would try it if you were to try and go out of your comfort zone or if your were into historical fiction or Christian fiction, it would be a great choice for either of those areas. It is during the year of 1935 and is about Anna Trent’s life growing up. She loves to learn and Austin Barker is the perfect one to teach her what she wants to learn. Anna is the right one to help Austin along in his ministry while they both learn and to give him courage in what he does.
I give this a 5 star rating. I gave it this rating because I was very interested in everything that came next. Whenever I turned the page it was exciting and entertaining in each new thing that came along. I was interested in the way the book went along. If it were a series I would read the next book because it was interesting and exciting what came next in the story. They got through hard times together and I would want to know how they did years later raising their family. I gave it a 5 star rating because I was interested, excited, and enjoyed the book the whole way through.
My favorite part of the story was when Anna and Mr. Barker were married in Anna’s church. I like this part because I think it is a very romantic part in the story and it is a very big change in both their lives for the better. I like it because it was special to both of Mr Barker and Anna to have Mr. Angus, Anna’s neighbor until this past year, to perform the ceremony. I also like this part because I feel that Anna and Austin were meant to be because Anna loves to learn and Austin is there to help her learn and because he enjoys teaching her. In the end I really think it’s my favorite part in the book.
One reason I would recommend this book is that it is very interesting, exciting, and heartwarming. I would try it if you were to try and go out of your comfort zone or if your were into historical fiction or Christian fiction, it would be a great choice for either of those areas. It is during the year of 1935 and is about Anna Trent’s life growing up. She loves to learn and Austin Barker is the perfect one to teach her what she wants to learn. Anna is the right one to help Austin along in his ministry while they both learn and to give him courage in what he does.
I give this a 5 star rating. I gave it this rating because I was very interested in everything that came next. Whenever I turned the page it was exciting and entertaining in each new thing that came along. I was interested in the way the book went along. If it were a series I would read the next book because it was interesting and exciting what came next in the story. They got through hard times together and I would want to know how they did years later raising their family. I gave it a 5 star rating because I was interested, excited, and enjoyed the book the whole way through.
January 14, 2018
Today, most everyone has the opportunity for a good education. This was not always true. When Anna Trent finished eighth grade, her schooling ended. She could dream about continuing her education, but it was not likely to happen. God had plans for Anna, however, and Author Janette Oke has written a lovely story about trusting in God. A life that she could never believe awaits Anna. It's not an easy life, but with every problem comes a solution. She just has to have faith and find it. This is a story that will touch your heart as you follow Anna, hoping it will be the life she dreams of. I cheered her on as she made decisions that would change her life forever.The Measure of a Heart is a good story to read when you need encouragement or just a smile or two. Enjoy.
February 12, 2025
I really liked this book in high school and I just re-read as an adult. It is probably more like 4 stars but I am rounding to 5 😅 because I would still come back and re-read this, so there must be something about it that makes it a great book for me. Anna's insecurities are very annoying but what makes me like this book is the struggles of frontier life and how resourceful and humble Anna is. I appreciated how she took things to prayer instead of complaining. I also like the beginning and how she grows up and blindsides Austin. Love how humble and loving her family is.
July 21, 2021
I think, as of right now, this is my favorite in the series. It’s not too often I read a story where the main characters are a preacher and his wife. I feel that the focuse on their story made the book that much more interesting. I love Austin and Anna’s relationship. While none of the books in this series are connected I would have liked to have seen these characters some years down the road.
An enjoyable read for fans of Christian Fiction that I recommend.
An enjoyable read for fans of Christian Fiction that I recommend.
November 7, 2022
I found a used copy of this book at a little free library down in Douglas, MI and since I've enjoyed a few series by this author, I took it. I was prepared for an easy read, inspirational historical fiction story-- I wasn't prepared for how much the main character, Anna, had to teach me. I read this at the exact right time I needed to in order to be encouraged in my own walk with the Lord-- in my own season of unknowns and feeling inadequate with more weaknesses than strengths.
June 23, 2023
I am a long-time fan of Janette Oke. This is the 6th in the Women of the West series. Janette is extremely thorough in researching and writing Historical Christian Romance that cuts to the heart of issues that plague us all. Anna never got the love and attention she needed and it results in her believing that she is unloveable. She learns that God loves her and a man can find her lovely and helpful.
June 13, 2024
I like this book. Basically I find it encouraging with all of the work Anna does throughout, making the best of things, without complaining. I also appreciate how she is always caring for others.
I felt it ended a little abruptly and … simplistically, maybe? Her husband says something that inspires her so she prays about the issue she has had the entire book. The end.
But I still enjoyed the book a lot. I’d give it a 4+ if I could.
I felt it ended a little abruptly and … simplistically, maybe? Her husband says something that inspires her so she prays about the issue she has had the entire book. The end.
But I still enjoyed the book a lot. I’d give it a 4+ if I could.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2025
Nice and easy to read. Takes place in a time when things seemed more simple without the addition of social media and internet infecting peoples interactions. Does have lots of good heart and substance though and the content causes reflection in ones own christian life. One of those is to be more like Anna and reach out to people you never would have thought of being their friend too.
Overall a great inspirational fiction book that I could see myself reading again for a little soul pick me up.
Overall a great inspirational fiction book that I could see myself reading again for a little soul pick me up.
August 22, 2020
This book was excellent. I really liked how Anna was a true helpmate to Austin. Even though it's just a book I think it oozed off the pages how sweet, kind, and godly she was. Would highly recommend!!!!!
October 20, 2020
I love Oke’s book when I need an easy, soul refreshing read. This one was not my favorite. Wasn’t truly liking it until the very end, where I enjoyed the message, but I wasn’t a fan of having to suffer the self deprecation the whole book before it was learned. Just an ok read.
September 19, 2021
I loved it! Whenever I read a book by Jeanette Oke, I always feel God is speaking to me. I feel closer spiritually and feel at peace. This book really spoke to me. This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews