I know a family whom I love a lot. They used to attend the church I pastor until they moved 30-45 minutes away and now attend a church in their town. Jo & I still get together with the parents as often as we can for a meal. We have also attended church with them several times when I just needed a Sunday away. They have a daughter. I’ll call her Aleah (because that is her real name). 🙂 Aleah’s dream has been to have enough books (1000) to be designated a home library. I have supplied her with some books in the past, but yesterday I put together 3 boxes =108 books. That gave her an official total of 1006 books. She has now reached home library status!Â
I know. That means absolutely nothing to you, but I do have a point in this. While putting together this last batch of books (which also included one of my reader’s, Martha’s set of 6 wonderful books), I ran across a sheet of paper stuck in one of the books. This paper had a few random quotes from a book entitled The Dark Between Stars by Atticus. Honestly, I have no clue where those came from or who Atticus is. But that is not important. The quotes struck me and tell me there was a reason I wrote them down years ago.
Don’t waste any more tomorrows on someone who wastes your today’s.Â
Man, ain’t that the truth? It goes without saying that we are known, very often, by the company we keep. And sometimes that company is nothing more than a drain on us-emotionally, physically, socially, and yes even, financially. Choose wisely whom you choose to spend your days with. Let those whom you do enrich your life and not drag it down.Â
Too many die with a brush in their hands, a heart full of colors, and a lifetime of empty canvases.Â
How often have you said or heard, “If only I had…” I have had people tell me, “I wish I had not wasted my time on this or that, but had done more of what I enjoyed.” I don’t want to be one of those people who have regrets at the end of their life with an empty canvas.Â
You weren’t given wings to see the world from a tree.
To many people live their life in chains, or at least with a collar around their neck or foot. Eagles, and birds like them, were meant to fly, not be in a cage or tied down. Neither are people. Especially followers of Jesus. He once said, “I have come to give life and to give it abundantly.”Â
I searched and found the book on Amazon. If you are interested in reading more, I would suggest that approach. Meanwhile, if you have books for my young friend for her library, contact me and I will connect you with her.Â
I am so thrilled to know that you included my set of books in your gift to Aleah, Bill! Her goal to have that many volumes on her shelves seemed lofty, but she has done it. May we all live to paint such a bright canvas. Blessings!
She reads the books she is given so I look forward to hearing what she thinks of your series Martha. I loved it! I am so proud of her for accomplishing this goal.
Aleah was excited to reach “library status” She came home and immediately started unpacking the books. Thank you for your generosity. My only additional comment would be wait until she has a place of her own before contributing futher, those books will eventually need to be moved… and they will be heavy!!! 🙂
I’m disappointed in you Ryan. Are you telling me you don’t want to lift those boxes of books? 🙂 I’m glad to help her status.
Wowsa, that is a lot of books, I am very impressed. Ryan made me chuckle, I have moved many books before and yes they are heavy. I do believe we miss out on a lot of opportunities, and God given talents, simply because we have not put forth the effort to use the paint that God has provided.
He made me chuckle too Gail since I have moved way too many books. And yes, we do need to use the paint God has provided.
Oh I love that this sweet girl is curating her own library and that you’re coming alongside. I predict a delightful bookish life (& ministry!) for her.
Wonderful.
Yeah, she’s a sweet girl who has turned into a beautiful young lady. She got a beau now who is courting her. See her dad’s comment earlier. 😂