Books ~ Delicious Books!

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed on and digested. ~ Francis Bacon

Today ... child #2 says, "I'm bored."  I suggest, among other things, "Read a book," to which he says, "Reading is boring."  With even the smallest measure of my blood flowing through his veins, I know he can't possibly believe that.  He gets very upset when we have to skip bedtime reading (me reading to him).  I've come to believe that technology is his generation's reading nemesis.  It gives them so much information instantaneously and comparatively makes reading seem harder because they have to dig for plot, context, etc.  I think there's a lot of "tasting" of books by the majority of kids today, and not much chewing or digesting.  Such a shame.

Fiction is my least favorite genre.  It's just the way I'm wired.  There are exceptions, though.  To Kill A Mockingbird tops my list of fiction titles, and the main characters in it are like old friends of whom I'm so proud.

The books I do own are so beloved that I liken them to my children:  it's ok if they go somewhere for a visit, but I need to know where they are and when they're coming home.

My favorite chewable, digestibles?  The ones I've underlined and highlighted and re-read over and over?

 * What's So Amazing About Grace? by Phillip Yancey  
 * The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw
 * No Such Thing As A Bad Day by Hamilton Jordan
 * My Grandfather's Son by Justice Clarence Thomas

These four are especially dear to me because they positively changed my way of thinking.  In their pages are love and forgiveness, hard work and persistence, hope and honesty ~ detailed in such a way that I can grasp and apply those principles in my own life. 

Off now to spend a little time with Phillip (Yancey) ... it's been awhile since we've visited and I feel the need for a deep dish of grace.

Finish Your Work

I've never seen a time more critical than now for Christian love and service. Every single day, everywhere I turn, I see others with physical, emotional and spiritual needs that break my heart.  The desire to help can seem overwhelming at times.  How can I possibly meet every need that is presented to me?  The answer is that I can't, and neither can you.  But that's ok, because God never intended for me - or you - to do it all.

I'm encouraged by the following Billy Graham quote from one of his crusades: "My prayer is that God will accomplish what He wants to accomplish in this crusade. When Jesus Christ had finished His whole life, He hadn't fed everybody. He hadn't healed everybody. He hadn't solved the problems of the world or of His own country. But He said, 'I have finished the work that you gave me to do.' And I believe that He has a work for us to do here."

Our model for service is Jesus!  In His humanity, He had many earthly limitations of time and resources, just as we do.  But even more importantly, He had work God had planned especially for Him since the beginning of time.

God doesn't want us to be paralyzed or uncertain as we serve Him. He has equipped, empowered, and enlightened each of us for a purpose, for Kingdom work that we can accomplish in love to make a difference while we're here on Earth. As author Henry Blackaby has said, God is always at work and it's up to each of us to pay attention and join Him when He asks.

What is your work to do today? Encourage a friend with a visit, note or call? Deliver a meal to a family in need? Give up your recreation time or money to be the hands and feet of Jesus to someone who doesn't think God cares? Use your technical ability to help a neighbor with her computer problem? Speak out for injustice using the words you've been given?  The possibilities as God reveals them to you are endless, and your kindness and compassion in fulfilling your call will speak volumes to those you serve. 

Actively listen for God's voice and watch for His invitation to finish the work you've been given to do.