If I am at all successful in keeping up the writing habit, you will see that I make many references to the books that I am reading. I recognize that I am a prodigious reader. I’m not sure if I count this as a virtue or not. Most of my friends do not have the kind of reading habits that I do. They add much-needed balance to my life. But I really do enjoy opportunities to talk about the books that have made an impact in my life.
So, why do I keep this habit ?
As a “knowledge worker” (I hate that phrase!), I need to be constantly learning and growing. The 2008 recession precipitated a change in the labor market. The trend since then is for employers to hire “younger and cheaper.” In order to continue to be relevant, I need to continually push myself that “my progress may be evident to all.” Resting on one’s past achievements is not an option in today’s market.
Books are tools, rather than collectibles. As much as I love books, I’ve never gotten into the hobby of book collecting. I don’t need first editions. I would even say that “paperback is better.” It takes up less space. In some ways, it’s easier to write in. Yes, I write in my books rather copiously. If somehow, my former students happened to acquire one of my books, they said that it was “more valuable” that way.
When we lived in Cincinnati, I had a friend who was an auto mechanic. He and his family lived frugally. Yet, he had a “tool payment.” He needed the right tools to be able to do his job. For students and teachers, books are your tools. Don’t skimp on them. For most students, learning and studying is hard enough as it is with the tools that they need. Don’t handicap them.
The book habit is cheaper than going back to school. Also, no tests, no essays, no term papers, no restrictions. I’m reminded of Ray Bradbury, one of my favorite writers. He couldn’t afford to go to college, so he got his education at the library. It served him quite well.
As tools, I’ve learned to hold books lightly. My desire is to have “an open heart and an open hand.” I used to be quite possessive about my books. Then, I had to give many of the away when we went through a period of life when we had limited storage space. This was good for my soul. Most books, even out of print ones, can be replaced. Hopefully, people who borrow my books and don’t return them are more blessed by them than I am.
I recently went through my library looking for a couple of books that I had purchased some time ago that I really wanted to read. Then I remembered that I had lent them out. At first, I was a little peevish. But then, I realized, “what an opportunity to pray for that person.” Not imprecatory prayers, or prayers that this person would “repent and acknowledge the depth of their sin,” but that that person really would be blessed, and that I may be able to be a blessing to them, and that the Lord would make his face shine upon them, lift up his countenance upon them, and give them peace.
That prompting and opportunity for prayer was far more precious than those books. That sign that God is working in my life, turning the vice of covetousness and acquisitiveness into a desire to pray and a genuine prayer for another’s well being, giving me a generous spirit when I’ve previously had a tight-fisted spirit, was a priceless gift to me. I pray that would be able to continue to recognize that I possess nothing that has not been given to me, that I brought nothing into this world, and that I will take nothing out of it. Blessed be the name of the Lord our God.
Half Baked 