If you are like me, you have a book and a song for each important moment of your life, for each season. I have books and songs that I turn to every couple of months or years, and stories, characters, and songs, that I can’t read or listen to without feeling a deep pain overwhelming my heart. While they are still precious to me, they remind me too much of my struggle with depression or the pain of losing people I loved.
I mention books and songs under the same idea, because these two, usually go hand in hand for me. My life changed so much over the past years, but as long as I had my music and good books, I always felt at home no matter what my postcode or season that I was in, looked like.
I’ll use the words of Charles W. Elliot to emphasise how important literature is: “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.”
By the way, it’s Saturday (26/03/2022), as I’m writing this, sitting at my kitchen table, I am also preparing dinner using one of my mom’s favourite recipes. I had to call her twice in the last 30 minutes. I didn’t take notes, so I kept forgetting details. Praise the Lord, I am on the right track now:)). Why am I sharing this? I absolutely love the contrast between doing something as simple as making dinner, while sharing my heart with all of you.
Oki, 3 books that I am currently reading:
- Strong: Devotions to Live a Powerful and Passionate Life by Lisa Bevere – 90-day devotional that highlights different topics like relational healing, redeeming regret, the power of rest and how to be both powerful and gentle. For me, her words are the perfect booster to start this spring right.
- Soul Fuel: A Daily Devotional – by Bear Grylls, yes, that Bear Grylls, in case you don’t know he is a Christian and he’s very outspoken about his faith.
In Soul Fuel, Bear shares the backstories behind many of his most daring expeditions and how his faith gave him the purpose and power to carry on in 365 devotions as he explores themes of hope, courage, risk, heaven, and more. Bear says: “I often don’t feel very strong. Life can be a battle. We all feel that from time to time. But any strength I do have seems to come in the quiet moments at the start of my day. It comes when I am on my own, on my knees. It comes from taking time to be still with God. . . . So for me, starting my day like this really helps. It is like food. Like good fuel for the soul.”
I start my days with his book and end them with Lisa’s devotional. Yes, I am a huge fan of devotionals because they help me with the discipline of actually sitting down and having my time with God. They offer me a structure around that.
3. In Unison: The Unfinished Story of Jeremy and Adrienne Camp by Adrienne Camp and Jeremy Camp. This one is a book on marriage. This is something that I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning or working on. I am constantly asking myself how can I grow more in this, how can I be a better partner and so forth. If you are married, you know what I am talking about.
After 16 years of marriage, Jeremy and Adrienne have experienced devastating losses and incredible joy, and have grown alongside each other. They continue to build a friendship as they juggle life and frequent separations, due to tour schedules, with the demands and stressors of parenting their three kids. In Unison is the story of the lessons they’ve learned in love and marriage told from each of their voices. They vulnerably share the highs and lows of life together and offer practical advice on how to deal with conflict, manage finances, move through grief, and work to build your own family culture. You can’t do marriage without Jesus, and when you keep Him in the middle, together, you can build a lasting love.
The books I’m reading change from one week to another. From self-development books to Christian biographies to maybe Young Adults. Yes, I am reading YA. As I am writing in this genre, I try to keep up with what’s trending, new authors, and new everything.
Books are important to me!!! A good story is important to me because it can shape how I see life, my mood, and my growth. Last night I read until 6 am. I left my living room couch at 4 am with the intention to stop, and as I got into bed, I read for two more hours on my phone. I was so caught up in the story.
As I finally put my phone away, I realized that the entire time reading, I had a silly smile plastered on my face. It felt like home.
Because of my schedule, reading until 6 am is not something that I usually do, but when that happens, it’s so precious to me.
As we end this week and start a new one, I pray that this spring you will find THAT SOMETHING that makes you feel alive, that makes you feel at home, no matter where you are or what season you’re in.