Augustine Birrell explained it well, “Any ordinary man can…surround himself with two thousand books…and thenceforward have at least one place in the world in which it is possible to be happy.”
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean to intimate that I have or have had an unhappy life. Rather, I mean that one of my “happy places” to go is wherever my current book takes me. I find reading to be a true delight. In fact, I agree with Jorge Luis Borges who said “I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” Amen, I say! As I tell my students, it is good to read. Read all summer. Sprawl on your belly and get lost in a book. Did you do that as a kid? Do you do it now? Reading is exercise for the mind and soul.
When I read, I am taken to another place. Whether it is fiction and I became immersed in a world of characters and happenings created by the author, or a work of nonfiction and I am immersed, for instance, in learning new things, I am taken away.
This of course, is true when I read Scripture. I literally find myself walking with Jesus, or sitting with David as he sings his psalms. I let the words pour over my heart, and try to glean the message that applies to me at that exact moment. I have many moments coming up that will require me to be fully present and yet strong in Him. I ask for prayers. Pray that I will be a grace-filled woman, and that I will remember to call upon His infinite resources when I feel depleted.
Believe Anyway 
Reading is one of my biggest joys! I lose all sense of time and place when I get into a realy good story.
I think it stems from being an only child; I never felt like I was by myself when immersed in a book!
me too– i wasn’t an only child, but i was the only girl….and 5 and 6 years older than my brothers. we moved a lot when i was a kid, so books were some of my best friends….
Sending up fervent prayers for you, Kate–God bless you BIG always. love, sis Caddo
thanks Caddo- xo–i need the prayers, and my prayers are with you too, as ever—sis kate
Beautiful writing, Kate. It all makes sense to me what you write. Books are so important. And with your strong faith, nothing bad can happen to you. Be present and be strong. Don’t doubt yourself. Blessings! Uta.
Thanks, Uta! My faith has seen me through many a storm and valley. I could not have made it at all without that. Even so, it gets difficult not to doubt myself in the face of certain kinds of sorrow and heartbreak…..God sees me through though!! blessings to you, too, Uta!
Thanks, Kate! 🙂
Yes, reading does exercise the mind and heart. Well, much reading does. Blessings!
blessings to you too, michael.
I love to read also! It’s a great escape for my brain. Like you, my life is good, but the mental break is refreshing and much needed on some days. After all, our husbands can only listen to so much whining in any event!
Nancy
You are so right about that, Nancy! That is one of the reasons I started blogging—as I can get so much off my chest, and process what I am thinking. then i can encapsulate it for my husband rather than drone on and on and on!!!!