An Attitude of Gratitude, Day 28

Day 28, An Attitude of Gratitude

Dec 28, 2012

Today I am thankful for BOOKS!

I have always loved reading! I think I have a wonderful book collection from many years of “devouring” many different kinds of reading material, fiction and non fiction, theology, research and bible study.

My bookshelves in Kyuquot are home to a “mountain” of books which have been read and reread because I consider most of them worth keeping and revisiting. Unfortunately, I have limited shelving in my small apartment in CR, so it’s a bit sad that I haven’t been able to bring all my books to live with me yet. Not sure what I can do about that unless I invest in some wall to wall shelving and make my little place into a little library! Hehe!

It’s very hard for me to part with a book because somehow I feel as if some of me is invested in it, thus my hesitancy to throw one away or give it away, or part with one in any way. I write in most of my books, so I don’t really like to borrow books from people or take out library books because I would want to write in them, underline stuff or highlight my favourite parts and it would frustrate me not to be able to do that!

I enjoy getting “lost” in a really good novel. I like something with real “meat” in it though, something to really chew on, preferably something about faith, but not necessarily so. I like a good turn of phrase, something very well written that speaks to my soul.

George MacDonald is a favourite author. I was introduced to his writing as a little girl reading “The Princess and Curdie”. I have read many of his books later in life. MacDonald’s books are full of people discovering faith and growing in it. Sometimes there are mini sermons which are really precious! Love it!

I’ve enjoyed many authors in my lifetime apart from MacDonald, such as Oswald Chambers, Tolkien, John Grisham, Nicholas Sparks, Jan Karon, and Michael Philips, to name just a few in this short note.

I also enjoy getting lost in research or something educational. I am a lifelong learner and enjoy HOURS in books learning new things! It keeps my brain active! Keeps me on my toes!

There is one very special book I have not yet mentioned, one I have been reading diligently since I discovered it in the 70’s and that is my Bible. It is my most heavily underlined, highlighted and researched book and my most studied and treasured volume.

If I was allowed only one book to keep and read, that would be the one I would choose. The reason for that choice is that though a lot of God’s message to us, His written word, is sown in my heart already and is there to stay for as long as I have my memory, I find as I read and study, I gain fresh new insights and learn things from it at increasingly deeper levels.

It’s like a well that never runs dry! What a marvelous book! What a wonderful message! What power in the word!

It is useful to me in every aspect of life and I’m so glad it came into my hands as a school teacher, at a time when bible reading to the class was a mandatory morning exercise. Many of you out there may not find that so agreeable, but I have appreciated that being part of my story, part of my journey with God.

Books! Gotta love them!

❤ ❤ ❤