Hobbits are on my mind this week. And believe it or not, Bilbo and Frodo–a couple of unassuming hobbits–can teach you something about a missionary.

Let me indulge you in some rich quotes by JRR Tolkien from The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. As a missionary, I could identify with a few things about their story…

1.They don’t all consider themselves adventurous—even though they are on an adventure, and their story is quite unexpected—even for themselves.

“We are plain quiet folk, and I have no use for adventures. Nasty, disturbing, and uncomfortable things.”–The Hobbit

 

“This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected.”–The Hobbit

 

“It was at this point that Bilbo stopped. Going on from there was the bravest thing he ever did. The tremendous things that happened afterward were as nothing compared to it. He fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait.”–The Hobbit

2. There are times that they think of home with longing.

 “Why O why did I ever leave my hobbit-hole?” said poor Mr. Baggins, bumping up and down on Bombur’s back.”–The Hobbit

 

“To think it will soon be June,” grumbled Bilbo, as he splashed along behind the others in a very muddy track. It was after tea-time; it was pouring with rain, and had been all day; his hood was dripping into his eyes, his cloak was full of water; the pony was tired and stumbled on stones; the others were too grumpy. “And I’m sure the rain has got into the dry clothes and into the food-bags,” thought Bilbo. “Bother burgling and everything to do with it! I wish I was at home in my nice hole by the fire, with the kettle just beginning to sing!” It was not the last time that he wished that!–The Hobbit

 

The Tookish part was getting very tired, and the Baggins was daily getting stronger. “I wish now only to be in my own armchair!” he said.–The Hobbit

3. It’s hard to find the right people to go on an adventure with, but once they are together, they stick together.

“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.”
- The Hobbit

 

“You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin – to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours – closer than you yourself keep it. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo. Anyway: there it is. We know most of what Gandalf has told you. We know a good deal about the ring. We are horribly afraid–but we are coming with you; or following you like hounds.”–The Fellowship of the Ring

4. There will be challenges that they feel unprepared for.

“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.”–The Hobbit

5. They won’t be the same people when they return.

“Already he was a very different hobbit from the one that had run out without a pocket-handkerchief from Bag-End long ago.”—The Hobbit

 

Gandalf looked at him. “My dear Bilbo!” he said. “Something is the matter with you! You are not the hobbit that you were.” –The Hobbit

 

‘There is no real going back. Though I may come to the Shire, it will not seem the same; for I shall not be the same. I am wounded with knife, sting, and tooth, and a long burden. Where shall I find rest?’—The Fellowship of the Ring

There is more that I could say about the courageous hobbits, but I’ll stop there. Yes, I’m a J.R.R. Tolkien fan. His stories are rich, layered with meaning. Our family has loved the series for years—most of us have read all the books, and who knows how many times we’ve watched the movies. Some of us have even been to the Shire.

Thanks for giving me the chance to share some of its richness with you on a small level while I’ve had the hobbits on my mind this week. If you’ve read this and are wondering who on earth–or middle-earth– are Bilbo and Frodo, then you need to read the books, or at least watch the movies.

Now to leave you with a couple of Tolkein’s words of blessings from The Hobbit…

“May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks.”

 

“May the hair on your toes never fall out!”

Leave a comment if you can relate to any of these quotes or if there is another one you would add to the list.