I’m Practicing!
My name is Carolyn and I’m a bookaholic. This is true, though the proper term is bibliophile, a sobriquet that also describes many of you. The word is taken from two Greek words: biblio (book) and phile (lover of). Book lover. That’s me!
I count books and my enjoyment of them one of God’s greatest gifts to me. I’ve been crazy about them since I was small, and couldn’t learn to read quickly enough. I learned early the truth of what the inestimable Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) posited:
I loved to go places, and I went. China, Africa, the Deep South, India, New York City, the sea islands, Japan, London, into others’ homes and cultures and belief systems, “out west,” Spain; heaven, the Garden of Eden, Babylon, Ninevah, Palestine, Thyatira, Jerusalem, Rome, Patmos, and “even unto the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
I’ve learned about people, governments, religious practices, foods, animals, sports, stars, trees, travel, the history of all seven continents, and a huge variety of perspectives on any number of subjects by reading books.
Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman statesman, famously said, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” That feels true for me. I love to walk into a home and find books. I make a straight beeline for them, always. What might there be I haven’t seen yet, seen but not yet read, read and, here, now, find someone with whom I might talk about them? “Have you read this? Did you like it? Tell me your thoughts. May I share mine?”
“The man (or woman) who does not read has no advantage over the man (or woman) who cannot read,” said Mark Twain. Besides that reading is so enjoyable, it also informs us. Be informed. That may be particularly important – even vital – in our current climate. We must all be mindful of the vast amount of disinformation and misinformation that is circulating. Read widely, check your facts, and proceed as best you can.
And remember that this world, as varied and fascinating, as disturbing and exciting, as we might find it to be, is not all there is. There’s more and better to come.
I met Jesus in a Book – the Book of Books, as many call the Bible – and I hope you have too. His is the most important acquaintance we’ll ever make. The information contained in the Bible about Him and what He means to us and for us is of paramount importance. I’ve always been intrigued by the last verse in the book of John, John 21:25. It says this: “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written” (NLT). Now that would be a lot of books, books I’d love to get my hands on!
So. Despite all the reading you or I have done and will yet do, there’s more. So much more. There’s more to learn about, look at, taste, explore, and experience than any of us can imagine. I really, really, really look forward to that.
Reading now is just practice.
10 Comments
Beth
I too enjoy reading, albeit on my Kindle these days due to my eyesight. Enjoy!
Carolyn Karlstrom
I have downloaded books onto my iPad and enjoyed them. But I’m preferring the “real thing” yet, which may not be a proper perspective. Any book, presented in any form, is the real thing, isn’t it?! Read on!!! And thanks for your comment . . .
Jayne
This bibliophile loved this entry! Thank you for sharing your joy of books and also your thoughts surrounding the increasing importance of reading as an avenue to processing the world in a way that is informed and critical. And yes, I meet Jesus daily in the Bible as well, feeling fortified, equipped and infused with peace and hope.
Carolyn Karlstrom
Thanks so much, Jayne, for posting. I thought of you while writing this, as I know you love books as much as I do. You’re one of my special book buddies!!
Sherri
I think you already know by now that I am an avid reader! Have been ever since elementary school. The happiest day of the week was library day! Even in the summer, the school library was open and I would ride my bike there and hunt for new books. I have a memory of my mom lying on her stomach, reading every day, so I came by it naturally. My own children witnessed me reading every night before bed, and guess what? They are both book lovers! My favorite story is about talking to the mother of one of my learning disabled students who struggled to read. During our conference, I mentioned that I read every night, and she looked at me in wonder. Several years later, at another conference, that same woman told me I had inspired her, and SHE now read every night, too! I was so proud, of her, but also of myself for mentioning something that changed her life just a little….
Carolyn Karlstrom
Wow – that’s awesome, Sherri! You SHOULD be proud of yourself for inspiring her. I’M proud of you!!! Thx for commenting . . .
MJ
Reading, just reading, is powerful. I had a roommate in boarding school who struggled with learning, while I always had a book in my hand, even when my homework was finished. In one conversation I evidently told her to, “Just read.” Years later she thanked me for that and told me her story. She married young, and as she raised her girls, she read. She read to them, with them, and for herself. Then she’s took herself back to school and completed an undergrad degree followed by a masters in education. She and her builder husband became missionaries in a school in s.e. Asia. She the principal and he general handy-man/builder. According to her, it all started when she read!
ckarlstrom
Oh, how very cool! Thanks so much for sharing this, Mary Jo, and for changing that young woman’s life, and the lives of her future family members. Reading does astounding things in us, for us, and through us. Read on!! And continue to be an encouragement . . .
Trudie
Oh my, how did I miss this! It’s great to go places and meet others with out even leaving our house 🏡! The greatest Story ever told will be live one day when we meet and spend eternity with the Lord and our Brothers and Sisters we read about in the Bible♥️ What a great blog! Thanks for sharing a part of yourself….I enjoy getting to know you better through your blogs 🌹
Carolyn Karlstrom
Thank you, Trudie! What a sweet post. I, too, look forward to meeting Jesus and the Other Two, as well as our brothers and sisters from all ages, including this one. I’m eager to meet you face to face!!!