The other day, while walking my
cute little dog, I met a young man waiting for the bus. He said hi; I
said hi. Dog did her business. (I’m just painting a picture here.)
He
sat on the bench, a folder
and old-looking book on his lap.
“What are you reading?” I
asked.
“James Patterson. The Alex
Cross novels.”
“Really? Wow . . . so you like
to read?”
“A lot. It’s a great way to
escape and relax, and to learn.”
What an awesome young man. In
his mid-twenties with a book in his hand instead of a Game Boy.
“I’m a writer,” I said.
“Really.” Eyes wide. “What do
you write?”
“Chick stuff, girl books, life
and romance. Funny, but deep with a touch of brilliance.” (Come on,
y’all, it’s called promotion. And diamonds are brilliant, so it fits
the story.)
“I like to read those kinds of
books. I like everything. Where can I get one?”
I ran home with my little dog,
and huffing and puffing I grabbed three books, several bookmarks, and
the Barnes & Noble gift card someone had given me.
Driving
back to meet my new friend, I knew this was a God encounter.
As I autographed the books, he
kissed the gift card and put it in his wallet while I learned more
about him.
At twenty-five, he was a father
and living with his girlfriend’s grandma while trying to get his
education and some job training. “I know knowledge is power,” he said.
I prayed with him and asked God
to release His divine destiny in his life. In the natural, he has a
long way to go, but God can do all things, the impossible, even speed
up time while opening doors.
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Reading
is power. It causes us
to expand our hearts and minds. We meet characters who become friends
and linger in our hearts longer than any video game or movie.
As we enter the Christmas
season, for gifts consider a book or bookstore gift certificate. Sit
with your children or grandchildren and read. Turn off the TV and read
a book.
When I was in fifth grade, my
teacher read the Laura Ingalls Wilder books out loud to the class. We
fell in love with a little girl living on the American frontier in the
1870s.
I love what I do. I’m awed that
stories I write are printed and bound and sold in stores. It’s amazing
to me. But it all started with reading.
Give diamonds this Christmas.
Give the gift of reading.
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