Good Like a Medicine

We are enjoying our weekly visits to the local library. Each time we go to storytime for toddlers, and afterward we pick out 5 new books and a new video to take home for the week. What they don’t realize is it’s just as much a treat for me as for them. I use the new video as a “rescue hour” while Eric is gone on Thursday nights leading worship for our church’s young adult service. I can get the house organized, nurse baby Meredith without being interrupted, or just relax on the floor beside them. I have no qualms about doing it, either, since they don’t watch TV and relish in watching a video as a real treat. A win-win situation!

Certainly what I love the most is reading new books to them and seeing their eyes light up while absorbing a new story. As much as I hate to be interrupted (Eric’s mom shares this trait with me and told Lydia a few weeks ago, “Lydia, Grammy doesn’t like it when we don’t finish a book!”), I get excited to hear Lydia’s questions now that she is learning more and more. Who knew (but God) that this little extra space that became the “book nook” in our house would be so providential and perfect for our family while we have growing children? And the truth is that I can be found there quite often during the kids’ naps curling up with a book or magazine of my own! I was scared to do that a few months ago because I thought I might fall through into the garage, but now I think it’ll hold me. Ha.

Eric is reading several books for work, but I believe the one in particular he is focusing on now is Unceasing Worship by Harold Best. I hope to begin reading it, too, so I can talk to him about what he thinks about it. For those of you who don’t know my husband, he is super brilliant. Given the time, I can finish a book much faster than him, but afterwards I won’t remember half of it, and he could orally diagram it and teach it to a group of strangers. I guess we were made for each other! Anyway, he is reading four other books related to his job, but I can’t remember right now what they are (ironic, huh)?

I am re-reading The True Woman by Susan Hunt. I read it when I lived in India for a summer, but I believe I need a refresher. Someone told me I’m not perfect yet, so I decided to go through it again. I’m also reading Country Home and Pottery Barn Kids. I know, those are most definitely to be my theological downfall. I have found an excuse to pour over them, however, as I am trying to get some ideas to finish Steven and Meredith’s room, which they will be sharing, and more ideas for making lovely curtains on a budget in our dining and living rooms. I figure somebody has to make this home a beautiful haven, and I want that somebody to be me, since I love doing it and all!

This week from the library our favorite was definitely Reuben and the Quilt by Merle Good. This is one of Good’s books depicting the lives and beliefs of the Amish through fiction appropriate for young children. This one is about a quilt made by an Amish family which was stolen and how the family reacted in love and forgiveness, not vengeance. I couldn’t help but think of how relevant this book is for children to read in light of recent events in our society. A quote I found to be especially good as I read it to Lydia was as follows: “Reuben wasn’t sure he believed in this ‘other cheek’ stuff. ‘It feels like we’re rewarding someone who robbed us,’ he complained to Dawdi before he went to bed. ‘It’s wrong to steal,’ Dawdi said. ‘But how we respond can also be wrong.’” Lydia kept asking who stole the quilt, and later as we read a book about racism, she asked, “Did the mean people who stole the quilt have racism?” (Wow, make me cry!)

I’m just thankful that we have the resources in this country to study, grow, and enjoy times of leisure with our children through the avenue of great books. I became inspired several years ago when I stumbled on this quote by John Piper about reading, and I have tried to take it to heart and apply it to my life:

Of course, after all that reading, Steven is usually ready for some playtime. Other than his current obsession with cars (aka “go-go’s”), he can be found at any given moment stealing Daddy’s shoes and wearing them all around the house. I know this is typical of youngsters who are in love with their fathers. I merely see it as the easiest way to tell me that he worships the ground his daddy walks on . . .