Well Worth It

I just finished a book. Hold down the fort, folks, Tif just read a book. The lady who works at the library actually read a book! And it wasn't even required!

Now those of you who know me well, know that I actually love to read. However, I don't dare pick up books often, except on a few vacations when my mother-in-law lets me read while she hang out with the kids.

I tried giving myself "outs." Like, I've got 3 kids when do I have time to read? That excuse got blown when one of my friends set a goal of reading 3 books a month and actually achieves it(thanks, Kerri).

So, here's what I figured out. I knew this about myself, but since it had been such a long time since I read (other than "how to such and such" books), I had forgotten. Something happens to me when I read. Almost like a transformation--gremlin like, if you will. I become completely consumed by what I am reading. I want to do nothing else. I think of nothing else. My mannerisms and responses change depending on the mood of the book I'm reading. I'm reading a book at lunch, I'm reading during playtime with the kids, I'm not doing the chores I should be doing because I'm reading a book!

And after it's all over, if it was a good book, I don't really feel to bad about it. So, now I'm trying NOT to read this next book that's staring me in the face saying, "Read me. You will be able to put me down and only read me at appropriate times. You can set boundaries. Read me." I haven't picked it up yet. But, it is due soon and my days are being counted....

The whole point of this little post (or blaa, blaaa, blaa, if you wish) was to endorse the book. I saw it one day at the library--where books really do talk if you listen. I've eyed it for a while before I took the plunge.

Ismael Beah writes a most profound, intense, horrific, and amazing recount of his life as a boy in Sierra Leone during the early 1990's at the height of the war in that country. The book title, "A Long Way Gone," is not for those who want to read about "fluffy" things. Reading about his plight and struggles and torments left me in examination over my life.

Even if you are not into autobiographies, read it. Even if you don't read, read it. Perspective is a great thing to have. And if after reading this book, if you don't stop and have a bit of perspective, then well, maybe I'm just weird.

I'll say this much, I needed a reminder that my life is good. I needed a reminder to be thankful. I needed a reminder that I get too worked up over things that do not really matter. I needed to visit a time and place where staying alive, not enjoying it, was all that life was about.

I believe that we have a God who cares, even when it feels like he doesn't. And even though the author of this book gives no direction to that thought, in the end, I had a hard time NOT seeing how God worked out every detail of his life to lead him to where he is so he might impact others in the way only he has been given.

All of that to say, it was well worth it!