The Book of Choice

Lots of people like to enrich their lives by reading. Some people enjoying thrillers, romance novels, mysteries, inspirational books and historical books. Some people read for pleasure, some read for escape and some read to learn.

My Grandma called herself “book poor,” suggesting that she bought so many books she was poor. She spent her whole life surrounded by books. She sat on her lazy boy chair with wicker baskets of books within reach. Bookshelves full of books lined the walls on both sides of the television in the living room. Books in closets, in bedrooms, in baskets on the floor; she could have very easily opened a book store.

She had zero interest in meaningless pleasure books; she sought knowledge, enlightenment and spiritual truth. Some of the titles on the shelves included self-help books and all kinds of books that explored the meaning of life, overcoming struggles and God’s love.

As a speed reader, she zipped through books with ease, sometimes reading the same book several times. Thumbing through her old books, you’ll see hand written notes, thoughts and insight into what she took from the reading.  Still today, I cherish these precious insights that to some our mere scribbles in the margin.  

The Book I remember Grandma reciting and holding the most was the bible.  From a little girl into adulthood, I watched as she sat tilted back in her straddle lounger with her tiny feet laying up on the foot rest. She closed her eyes with the bible near her waste, and she prayed silently over situations, people and worries.  

My entire life when family struggles came up, I called on her.  She loved me, cared for me but more importantly she prayed for me and taught me the power of prayer.

She would say, “Shea, if you only know 2 scriptures in the bible know these.”

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 8:28 and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.

If one person in my life influenced my spiritual quest, by far it is my grandma.  Hours upon hours I spent on a sofa near her chair, listening to her spiritual thoughts, stories, and biblical knowledge just soaking up her wisdom.

She believed her calling was to minister to others. In fact, at one point in her life she did public speaking to hundreds of Christian women. She loved teaching groups, and when family troubles forbid her from traveling to share the word, she was very distraught. She said she prayed and prayed about it. 

Then a message came to her that God would bring people to her, not to worry. Over the years, she would get phone calls from strangers.  Other times strangers appeared at her door for her counsel because they heard about her through a friend. Grandma counseled people all over the world, including some political leaders like the Shaw of Iran.

Her religious and spiritual influence over my life brought me great strength during low points. I would be lying if I told you I didn’t miss talking to her, especially when something big happens.

Not everyone understood her deep spiritual outlooks on life, nor did she talk to everyone the way she did me. But I sponged it up like a good old biscuit with gravy.

I’ve always known that I too have a spiritual calling, but I knew that in order for God to use me fully as an instrument to help others, I had to mend the broken part of my spirit much of which pertained to lack of relationship with my Dad and other heartaches associated with my family dynamic.

Years ago when I helped teens from divorced families, I had an unexplainable energy that came over me. For the first time in a long time, I was truly fired up about something.

During that journey helping the teenagers, God worked on my hardened heart concerning everything that surrounded the divorce of my parents. Remarkably, as he used me to transform the lives of teenagers; he used the teenagers to transform me, preparing my heart for the readiness to accept my Dad’s apology and to forgive myself for all the selfish things I did as a teen.

All I know is that lately there is a nagging on my heart to pursue ministry and to use my public speaking skills for HIS purpose.

Some have wondered when I started reading the bible on a more regular basis.  The push for me to learn more about the bible came when my friend gave birth last year to a baby who has been battling unexplained seizures.

I know several of us felt helpless seeing this sweet baby hurt. All I could do is offer my friendship, moral support and help when needed.  But more importantly, I could offer my prayers. As I prayed every day for this angel on earth, I felt myself getting very close to God but wanting to get even closer by exploring the specifics of what’s in the bible. I told her mother yesterday that I’m so grateful to the baby for inspiring me to build a closer relationship with God.

With any ministry there will be criticism. I must admit I don’t take it too well. But  a wise spiritual friend  asked me to consider this:

During the day at work, someone may have 15 extra minutes to read the book of choice in the break room over lunch or whatever. Nobody would think a thing if they read a mystery, thriller or even a trashy romance novel. But consider that the person takes that extra 15 minutes to read the bible. Coworkers at the office would probably start gossiping, passing judgment and thinking that he was some kind of a religious nut.

He went onto say the bible is not something we just place on a shelf to collect dust. The word of God is not something that we should think about only once a week through a Pastor or from a 3^rd party source. We should read the bible for ourselves, interpret for ourselves and let God speak to our hearts.

 Like my Grandma, my first book of choice is the bible, and I’m working towards knowing it better.

I know through this blog and my ministry some will not understand my deeper level, some people will not get me and will mock, but more importantly some will be touched, get inspired and some will even find God.  It’s the latter I will focus on.

 Bible Scripture:

Mark 6:4. My bible explains that this passage tells the stories of Jesus being rejected in his own hometown. This passage teaches us that as people pursue their faith they don’t have to be respected and honored to be useful to God. If friends, neighbors or family don’t respect or understand the Christian work, we can’t let their rejection keep us from serving God, reading the bible or seeking spiritual truth & understanding.

Questions:

1. Who influenced your life in a spiritual way?

2. How are you influencing others in a positive Christian way? ( either by leading by example, helping and so forth)

3. What kind of friend are you to others? Do you lovingly support, encourage and enthuse?

4. Are there insecurities in your life that you need to pray on?

5. Do you let the opinions of others effect you negatively?

6. How are you enriching your Christian journey?