Summer Passion
“Joshua read all the words of the law…just as it is written in the Book of the Law.” Joshua 8:34
One of the greatest gifts my Mama ever gave me was a love for reading. I grew up with a steel worker Daddy and a stay at home mom. Our middle class lifestyle actually depended on how well the U.S. economy was performing. When the national economy was healthy, the steel workers’ paychecks reflected that. Consumers purchased cars and trucks and the increased demand for more steel provided plenty of overtime pay opportunities. Of course, the opposite was true as well. When the economy shrank, so did the steel workers’ paychecks. Steel executives then invariably implemented worker layoffs. We were never sure how long a layoff might last or when Daddy would get called back to work.
One summer during a long layoff, I was really disappointed that our family wouldn’t have a summer vacation. My Mama wisely responded with words I’ve never forgotten. “When you read a book, you can go anywhere in the world.” Mama then introduced me to our local public library’s summer reading program. She also promised to take me to the library whenever I needed to go. At that time, our library had a “5 book per library card” checkout rule. That summer, Mama and I made lots of trips to the library and I read over 100 books. My favorite books were those in the juvenile fiction genre and included The Bobbsey Twins, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew mysteries.
My reading passion continues today as I study God’s Word, read biographies, develop Bible studies, and listen to my granddaughter, five year old Julia, as she reads her latest library book. Much to my delight, Julia's Mama continues our Evans/Muir summer library reading tradition and has challenged Julia to read 60 books this summer! Jen Wilkin’s wonderful book Women of the Word isn’t just a catchy book title; it’s the vision that I have for myself and the other women in my life: my daughter, granddaughters, and the women with whom I study.
In order to become Women of the Word, or to use the Puritan phrase "people of the Book," we must train our minds and hearts to read wisely and read widely. Briarwood’s library contains a wealth of good books that can help us truly become both Women of the word generally and Women of God’s Word specifically. Summer is a great time to begin your own reading program. Perhaps the reading list below will help you get started. Here are a few of my favorite books:
Christian Biographies:
The Hiding Place – Corrie ten Boom, autobiography of Corrie ten Boom
Shadow of the Almighty – Elisabeth Elliot, the biography of missionary Jim Elliot
For the Glory – Duncan Hamilton, the life story of missionary Eric Liddell, Olympic Gold Medalist
A Chance to Die- Elisabeth Elliot, the biography of Amy Carmichael
Christian Living:
King’s Cross, the Story of the World through the Life of Jesus- Tim Keller (one of my very favorite books)
Women of the Word and None Like Him – Jen Wilkin
Taking God at His Word – Kevin DeYoung
The Red Sea Rules – Robert J. Morgan, 10 strategies for dealing with adversity
The Cost of Discipleship – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
A Path through Suffering – Elisabeth Elliot
Radical Gratitude – Ellen Vaughn
A Grief Observed – C.S. Lewis
Current American Culture:
The Vanishing American Adult – Ben Sasse
Hillbilly Elegy – J. D. Vance (Warning: rough language, and not told from a Christian worldview but compelling true life story that helps explain the demise of the middle class, loss of manufacturing jobs, and the hopelessness of the opioid epidemic)
Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert – Rosaria Butterfield
Openness Unhindered – Rosaria Butterfield
Holy Sexuality – Christopher Yuan
Deep Run Roots, Vivian Howard - a storybook as much as a cookbook. NY Times Best seller, winner of 4 IACP awards including cookbook of the year and the Julia Child First Book Award. My daughter Meredith recommended this book because it combines two of my most favorite things: good stories about family roots and good food which helps us remember both the people and the food. I'm reading this one now.
Fiction:
Belgravia – Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey. I read this one in 2 days at the beach and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you liked Downton Abbey, you'll like this one.
Chronicles of Narnia – C. S. Lewis, always a good choice to read with your children or grandchildren!
I would love to know what’s on your own 2020 Summer reading list. Let’s redeem our time and read wise and wide for God’s glory!