You've Got to be Kidding Me

Anyone who's known me for 5 minutes knows I love to read. I was challenged about 10 years ago to become a reader and I took it. I'm always reading something. It makes me feel smarter. It inspires me. Mostly I read Christian books that challenge me to walk closer to Christ. Occasionally I'll read a novel, but not often. I don't like getting so caught up in the lives of the characters that I ignore those in my life because I can't put the book down. But my favorites are missionary biographies. A wise mentor encouraged this practice at a women's retreat more than five years ago.

After a while, the instructional books take their toll as I feel I'm spending too much time on self. Always trying to improve self. I know it's happened when I need a break because I'm sick of myself. At those moments, I always pick up a missionary biography. Especially the old ones. There's nothing like getting inspired by the life of one who denied so much of self for Christ. Makes me want to straighten up and walk taller. Makes me want to give more of me to Christ. Makes me want less of the world and more spiritual fruit.

About three years ago I started requiring one missionary biography to be read by my children each summer. Prior to that, I read them one. Now they are on their own. They never fail to groan at first, but I know they get interested. Each day (esp. the ones with no agenda) we read for close to an hour. It's their favorite time. They look forward to it. Yeah right. I wish.

I have a dream that my children would love to read. This dream has not come true yet. (They are 16, 13 and 11.) Today the unthinkable happened. One of my children, who will remain namelesss, uttered the following question when I stated it was time to read. "Why do we have to read in the summer?" You might have thought a demon overtook their mother. Had the child just been dropped off to live in this family? I incredulously replied, "You've got to be kidding me, right? You have no idea why I have you read in the summer? Have I not been clear on my purpose? You think I'm going to let your mind go to mush just because you're on vacation?" I'm sure I said a few more things that I'm not willing to admit to this blog.

But, if you want to see this child again - I'd pray for her safety.