You may have noticed that the same two books have been listed over to the right for some time now. You may assume that I quit reading them long ago, or that I've forgotten to update my reading list (which is partially true). But in reality I have developed a strange condition that feels a lot like reading ADD.
Before having four children I would pick out a book, begin reading it, and then over the course of the next few days or weeks I would complete that book and then move on to the next one. Phone conversations were much the same. Pick up the phone, talk uninterrupted for five minutes or an hour and then hang up and move onto my next task. Not so much now. I remember after the birth of my third child I found that there was no longer any convenient time to talk on the phone. My oldest no longer napped, my younger ones always wanted attention, and in the evening I often felt so spent I wanted nothing more than to stare mindlessly at the t.v.
I don't know when it happened, but about a year ago I noticed that I was constantly in the middle of several books at the same time. And so, if I am to be completely honest, I am currently in the middle of six or so odd books.
Here is my actual current reading list:
Story (slowly, it is very large)
The Shack (quite good, but I keep waiting for a down day with no interruptions so I can slowly read and absorb every detail of it - my friend keeps telling me that day only exists in my imagination)
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (for a book study group I'm leading this summer)
Now Discover Your Strengths (my husband is reading it and said I'd like it, which is true), Discover your Spiritual Gifts the Network Way (notice a theme here? my husband and I are in a small group to talk about and discover more about our gifts and strengths)
and I am always reading My Utmost for His Highest (my favorite and only spiritual devotional) and the Bible (always so much more to learn and apply)
This probably sounds overwhelming, but to me it's actually refreshing. Like I said, I've developed a sort of reading ADD. The last book I sat down and read from cover to cover without picking up another book in between was Atonement. Then I proceeded to spiral into an unhealthy depression - I do not know if there is another more depressing book or movie. But I loved both the book and the movie (I also like the Cure, if that tells you anything about me).
So now I am a moody reader. If I've had a long hard day with the kids I'll read something quick and light. If it's been a fun goof off day, then I'm usually in the mood for something more heady and challenging. Whereas if it's been a long monotonous week, I'll pick up something to really inspire me and remind me that I'm living for more than laundry and 3rd grade homework.
I have actually finished my C.S. Lewis book and I have to say I rather enjoyed him. He is truly a brilliant man. I know the rest of the world is already aware of this, but I now see why so many of my friends are Lewis groupies. His intellect is stunning. His reasoning simple, but profound. And I love that he is an incredible example of what it means to love God with our minds.
And so, though my new reading habits are not the most efficient or logical, right now they work for me.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
A Rush of Inspiration
I love to watch movies. I like to be entertained, but even more than that I love to be inspired.
The other day we rented August Rush. It is a movie that did not get good reviews. They said it was sappy, too many coincidences and blatantly pulls at the heart strings. I say it's a fairytale, and if you watch it as such, it can be a very cool movie going experience.
After watching it with my husband, we decided to let our kids watch it, too. It's rated PG and we knew they would love the music.
The story is about a young boy who has lived in an orphanage his whole life, and as most orphans do, he believed that his parents were alive and looking for him. But unlike most orphans, he believed he could hear them in the form of music in the world - in the wind, in the rain, in the sound of passing cars. And he believed that if he could play music, then his parents would hear him, too. And find him.
Some of you are thinking how ridiculous this all sounds, but for me this is exactly the kind of thing I would love to believe in.
So this kid becomes sort of a musical prodigy - first learning to play the guitar, then the organ and more. It's really cool to watch this kid discover his gifts and the music is pretty incredible.
Well, as much as I love to be inspired, I love to inspire my children to dream and attempt new things and to believe that they have something unique and special to offer this world.
I watched my kids as they took in this movie, their eyes riveted on the boy as he dreamed and played music and believed that he could make the impossible happen.
Halfway through the movie my 5-year-old got out his little guitar and started banging on it, hoping to evoke the same incredible melodies that the boy did. My 9-year-old's eyes lit up as they seamlessly melded a symphony into rock music. And when the movie was over my 7-year-old got out his notebook and started writing down notes, writing his own music, just like the boy in the story.
Now, unfortunately, they do not have two musically gifted parents as the kid in the movie did, so they will not likely be musical prodigies. If they want to play anything like that boy, they will probably have to take years upon years of lessons and practice for hours every day, which may be disappointing to them. But I think it's worth it.
I want my children to be inspired to attempt new things. I want them to dream and believe in the impossible. And I want to be there cheering them on every step of the way.
Though this movie may be the stuff of fairy tales, there is a reason that we love fairy tales. We already know how hard life is, we understand the struggle of it all. Every once in a while we need a little inspiration, and the mother of inspiration is hope.
The other day we rented August Rush. It is a movie that did not get good reviews. They said it was sappy, too many coincidences and blatantly pulls at the heart strings. I say it's a fairytale, and if you watch it as such, it can be a very cool movie going experience.
After watching it with my husband, we decided to let our kids watch it, too. It's rated PG and we knew they would love the music.
The story is about a young boy who has lived in an orphanage his whole life, and as most orphans do, he believed that his parents were alive and looking for him. But unlike most orphans, he believed he could hear them in the form of music in the world - in the wind, in the rain, in the sound of passing cars. And he believed that if he could play music, then his parents would hear him, too. And find him.
Some of you are thinking how ridiculous this all sounds, but for me this is exactly the kind of thing I would love to believe in.
So this kid becomes sort of a musical prodigy - first learning to play the guitar, then the organ and more. It's really cool to watch this kid discover his gifts and the music is pretty incredible.
Well, as much as I love to be inspired, I love to inspire my children to dream and attempt new things and to believe that they have something unique and special to offer this world.
I watched my kids as they took in this movie, their eyes riveted on the boy as he dreamed and played music and believed that he could make the impossible happen.
Halfway through the movie my 5-year-old got out his little guitar and started banging on it, hoping to evoke the same incredible melodies that the boy did. My 9-year-old's eyes lit up as they seamlessly melded a symphony into rock music. And when the movie was over my 7-year-old got out his notebook and started writing down notes, writing his own music, just like the boy in the story.
Now, unfortunately, they do not have two musically gifted parents as the kid in the movie did, so they will not likely be musical prodigies. If they want to play anything like that boy, they will probably have to take years upon years of lessons and practice for hours every day, which may be disappointing to them. But I think it's worth it.
I want my children to be inspired to attempt new things. I want them to dream and believe in the impossible. And I want to be there cheering them on every step of the way.
Though this movie may be the stuff of fairy tales, there is a reason that we love fairy tales. We already know how hard life is, we understand the struggle of it all. Every once in a while we need a little inspiration, and the mother of inspiration is hope.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
A Little Love Lost
Yesterday I watched a friend lower her infant girl into the ground.
I watched as the father wept and was embraced by men who grieved over his 15-hour-old daughter.
Tears rolled down my face as the pastor spoke of Katie Joy's place in heaven. I could picture her in the arms of Christ, what a beautiful sight to behold.
And yet, if I could have I would have gone up to heaven, told Jesus they needed a little more time with their girl, and brought her back to the arms of her mother.
I struggle to understand. A little girl formed inside her mother's womb, with too little lung tissue to take a breath in the outside world. Nothing could be done. At a time when life was meant to be celebrated, they prepared for death.
How can it be? Why does God allow such pain and loss? Is it our fallen world? Is it to make us long to be home with Him?
The family sang the words, "it is well with my soul." Honestly, it is not yet well with mine.
I watched as the father wept and was embraced by men who grieved over his 15-hour-old daughter.
Tears rolled down my face as the pastor spoke of Katie Joy's place in heaven. I could picture her in the arms of Christ, what a beautiful sight to behold.
And yet, if I could have I would have gone up to heaven, told Jesus they needed a little more time with their girl, and brought her back to the arms of her mother.
I struggle to understand. A little girl formed inside her mother's womb, with too little lung tissue to take a breath in the outside world. Nothing could be done. At a time when life was meant to be celebrated, they prepared for death.
How can it be? Why does God allow such pain and loss? Is it our fallen world? Is it to make us long to be home with Him?
The family sang the words, "it is well with my soul." Honestly, it is not yet well with mine.
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