Books

I have always been a reader. I love the way books can take me away for a vacation in my head. I can be transported to a whole new place for a while. There is a particular book (or several!) that have had a profound effect on my whole way of thinking. Let me start at the beginning.

I have always thought of myself as a "good person" and relatively spiritual. I knew without a doubt that I was going to heaven because I was so "good". I did nice things for people, I gave to charities when I had money and I always wanted to volunteer. I loved my family and I was a really good mom. I didn't need to go to church because God knew I was good and He knew all the wonderful things I had done for others. He also knew that I knew who Jesus was, so I figured that God was ok with me. I also really didn't need to read the bible because I had taken a class once where we read and studied the bible as a really good literary work. I am pretty sure that God has a sense of humor. There were probably some days when He laughed himself silly at me the way I do when one of my children says something that I know is totally off the mark but inventive and creative just the same. I know that someday they will see how silly that thought or comment was. Just the same way that God has always known what my path would be and that I would also learn how silly I had been.

There have been many times that my daughters tried to open my eyes. However, being the Mom...I knew EVERYTHING! One day, my youngest daughter said to me, "Ok...this is how it is. I am going to heaven, you are not, its time for you to wake up so that you can be in heaven with me because I would really like to have my family with me." I told her that I would be there and she gave me several reasons why I wouldn't be. She was so right! I had no idea what a relationship with God was. Not a clue!

I finally got it! There were alot of things that lead me to that place but the point is that I finally got it! I wish I had written down the day or marked it on my calendar but I didn't. I just know that it has been about a year since I started my new life.

I am still trying to figure out if life is harder now or if it just seems to be so because I am SOOOO aware of how I live now. I can't believe the changes God had in store for me. Yes, I go to church now and feel sort of unfulfilled when I miss my Sunday mornings with my new expanded family. I have learned that everyone else I know struggles with the same earthly issues as me and that its ok! We lean on each other and learn together.

Ok, so back to the books! I read the Bible now. Its one of my favorite books! Talk about a good read that takes you to a new place! WOW!

My other new favorite books are The Shack and He Loves Me. I have always had conversations with God but somehow felt that I was being disrespectful in the way I talked to Him...I talked as if He was a friend and not my Creator. Well...after the Shack, I am pretty sure that its ok as long as I keep talking and giving God the rundown on my day.

I am halfway though He Loves Me and am so amazed and thankful that no matter what I have done, or the lives that I have lead in the past He Love Me. I don't have to DO anything. He is the only One who gave His Son for me. How awesome is that??? I am especially fond of that one...

Gosh...this got a little longer than I had planned. I just get so excited about this new life of mine and I want everyone else to feel the same way inside that I do!