She who reads………

5/20/10….that’s what my night shirt says. I love that nightshirt. It was a gift from a dear bud. I had seen it in a book shop (imagine that) in Mount Dora when visiting the Henizes. I was just too “cheap” to buy it for myself. Is that a kind of ascetic self-denial or some sort of flagellation for frugal folk?
Later, JoLynn visited Aunt Marge and Uncle Larry and bought that very nightshirt for me---unbeknownst to her, the one I had so wanted. What a gift.
Other indicators also dub me as a reader.

• “So many books—So little time “ sweatshirt gift from Nancy S.
• 4 books going at once
• audio books accompanying my drive to work each morning
• wooden card catalog cabinet as furniture
• stacks of books here there and everywhere---even by the tub
• considering Borders Bookstore a great destination for date night
• making detours on road tips to visit libraries
• souvenir bookmarks
• a trip highlight = viewing AA Milne, “Winnie the Pooh” manuscript
• holding books and the smell of old leather books = delight for me---thus WRD (wireless reading devices) like a Kindle or Sony E-Reader, don’t appeal to me.

I love to be read to as well. That’s why I have CDs of audio books stacked on the passenger seat and floorboard of my “old lady Cadillac.”

One year, Larry took on the project of reading the Bible aloud to me from Genesis to Revelation. He knows I am a “hopscotcher” when it comes to reading the Bible, hopping here and there but usually returning over and over to favorite passages---where I put down both feet and rest. Thus, I had never personally read the Bible cover to cover. Still haven’t, but now I’ve had it read aloud to me and what a treat that was.

When we visit Larry and Marge in the mountains, one of our favorite parts is when “Uncle” Larry reads aloud to us all as we sit around the table after dinner. An unforgettable experience.

Books and reading aloud have provided many memorable experiences in my life. Thus, I, as many librarians, envision heaven to be a lot like the Wren Library at Trinity College in Cambridge, England----tables with shaded lamps and revolving bookstands---God, the Head Librarian---the Word, Himself, would be there so all would be right with the world.

Yet, this pleasure which I love, can be tiresome---I feel compelled to finish every book I start (though doing a little better in this area) and can check out way too many books at once to finish in the week due date/time constraint, imposed by the library system, on newly published books. (My frugal budget doesn't include "fines.") Even my stack of devotional books can be overwhelming. Yet it’s so hard to resist the latest Sarah Young book published in that genre. Just like it can be beneficial to know what time it is---taking that to an obsession can wear on one’s nerves and be taxing emotionally, so can an obsession with books. It can even translate to the physical---ever lost sleep because you just couldn’t put the book down? I just want to be “she who reads” not she who obsesses about reading. Guess what, that’s scriptural!

But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13)