A Good Book Can Change Your Life

Once upon a time I was not a reader. I could read but I didn't choose to read outside out of what was necessary for basic daily survival. I think I liked to read as a kid. I know I gobbled up all the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series with fervor and I must have read Charlotte's Web thirty times if I read it once. But it didn't follow me into adulthood.

Until I was exposed to people who read. Not just because they have to. No, for pleasure. They seemed so smart to me. They knew things they could only know by reading. Reading all sorts of things. Not just the newspaper. Not just a random magazine. Books! These people are interesting and can talk with some authority on many subjects. They could recommend books to anyone about almost anything. I was amazed and decided I wanted to be like them.

As usual, desires like this are not realized without effort. I told one friend in particular who I admired for his strength in this area that I wanted to become a reader too and asked what he recommended to get me started. He gave me three book titles.

I vividly remember one of them to this day. In The Grip of Grace by Max Lucado. Max is easy to read, enjoyable, entertaining and educating. I devoured the book. Before long Terry checked up on me and asked how I was doing with the reading. I had so identified with one of the stories from the book and knowing he would be familiar, I wailed, "I'm the rock stacker!" In gentleness but I am certain with a grin, he said, "Yes darlin', you are."

I won't get into what that means here because it's not a flattering admission. You can read the book yourself for context, but it's not the point really. I don't think at that stage in my life (at least 18 years ago), I had ever experienced a book (besides the Bible) pointing a finger at me and saying, "I'm talking to you here". It changed my life. I liked it and hungered for more.

I read the other two titles, learning more about myself, others, and life. I went to him for for more. He was the one who told me he always has a book on prayer going because you can never stop improving your prayer life. Good advice. We don't talk as often as I'd like these days, but when we do one of my first questions is, "What are you reading?". Then I almost always get my hands on those titles.

Now all these years later, I still hunger for a great read, one that will challenge me to readjust for the better. I love books. All different kinds (except sci-fi and fantasy. I just can't go there.). I love words and am forever amazed at how different authors can arrange words on a page evoking all manner of emotions. It is powerful and I'm addicted.

Because I'm basically obnoxious, I want everyone to read. I've led book clubs. I required my fellow women's ministry team leaders to read certain selections. I give books as gifts.

I try to encourage my kids to read. Ok, I nag. I mention it, well, all the time. I buy them books for Christmas. I tell them what I'm reading. When they were younger, I had my own required reading list for their summers, always including one missionary biography. Even though I'm still waiting for the day they thank me, I believe it was to their benefit. Of course while in college, they are required to read volumes so I tone it down some and cut them some slack. I admit though, when Drew graduated from college, one of the first things I said was, "Now you can read for pleasure!" I don't recall a verbal response. It was all in the eyes.

I don't think I'll ever embrace the electronic book craze because part of the pleasure of reading is holding the pages in my hand. The smell of brand new books. Highlighting and writing in them, learning. I have library cards in my wallet for the last three cities we have lived in. Yeah, I know. Nerd. I don't mind you thinking that. In the immortal words of Arthur, the tv cartoon, "Having fun isn't hard if you've got a library card".

Another favorite thing is recommending great books to someone else. It's what I do. Go ahead, just ask. I dare you.

One thing Scott and I like to do on our dates is to wander around Barnes and Noble and browse. For those I don't "need" but look interesting, I usually take pictures and later check them out of the public library. A few weeks ago, we stole away for an overnight. We found this cute locally owned bookstore and looked around for at least an hour. What I loved was that on every single shelf were post-it note recommendations from staff members who had read the books. Genius! Naturally, I selected some titles and after a few days headed to the Lake Pleasant library.

This is one of them. I don't read a lot of fiction books, but picked it because it promised to "make you laugh and make you cry" and that it was "charming". Say no more.

It was a cold rainy day when I started it and truly was delighted by both style and story. I snapchatted sections to my kids and a few girls I thought would appreciate the prose. I know, aren't I so hip? One of my sons even screenshotted it. Glory Hallelujah that's success! I mean, just read this little snippet....

Now that's good writing, people! Quite unexpectedly, before I knew it, I was learning about things I know very little about but would benefit from discovering. It was jarring actually, because it applies to a difficult, unresolved area in my life.

May I interrupt this story and interject one little thought? God can use anything He wants to speak to us if our radar is up and we are open to His Spirit. We mustn't limit Him. Christian, I'm talking to you here, it doesn't have to be a Christian author or a Christian subject for it to be valuable.

Toward the end, I couldn't put it down. While Scott drove I said, "Well, I've chuckled to myself and laughed out loud, but I haven't cried yet." Sometimes he just lets me blather on, withholding his response. I plodded on, within minutes, tears were rolling down my face. He noticed and shook his head. Then I was laughing. Then more crying. Then I put the book down and looked out the window. Then I picked it up again. Then I cried more. Then I laughed. Then I searched the glove compartment for tissues.

"Why are you crying?" he asked.
"This book."
"I thought you were reading it for pleasure."
"This is pleasure! I love every word!"

Another way men don't understand women.

I went to work the next day and was telling one of the young'ns about it. Christa is a reader. I said something like I wish I knew someone who read the book because I need to discuss it and have help figuring some of it out. She said, "I'll read it for you."

She was going home to her parents house for the weekend and texted me later that night (with a picture, of course) saying she was starting it right then.

I was so touched by that sweet gesture. Is that not the most wonderful gift? Her time and interest.

As I mentioned in the beginning of this extremely long post, I want to know what others are reading too. I keep a list in my purse of what my favorite authors recommend. Hey, you never know when you might need it.

While I tend to inquire of those who are a little further down the road in experience and maturity, I also have come to value the opinion of the next generation too. This whole mentoring thing is a two way street, you know. The younger learn from the older and the older should be humble enough to learn from those coming up behind.

In our new jobs, Scott and I are surrounded by twenty somethings. Because they are the same ages as our kids, I know it's wise for me to lean in and seek to understand how they process life. So when they get excited about what they are learning, I want to hear about it.

Recently, one brought me this and said, "I think you'll like this book, Mama Ang." Yes, that's what they call me.

When I saw the title I thought, "I could have used this last year, and the year before and the year before." Quite honestly, I didn't want to revisit the topic. Too soon. But to honor Abby, I picked it up.

It seemed like a slow read at first because it was jam packed with good stuff I wanted to simmer and take root in my brain. But I hit a certain spot and didn't move until I savored the last page. This is hands down my favorite book of 2016 so far. That's a little spoiler for some of you who may be receiving a gift from me in the future. I may or may not have several copies in my Amazon shopping cart already.

The moral of my story today is that I probably would not have chosen that book myself, but because someone else thought enough of me to put it in my hands, I read it and I'm better for it. We need to help each other grow. Be someone who seeks the input of others and open yourself up to learning. Its such a gift!

Community.
And books.
Women.
And learning.

This is the good stuff of life.

So tell me, what are you reading?