During summer break from classroom teaching, I have the luxury and the delectable  pleasure to spend hours reading. For instance, this last Sunday afternoon, for the entire afternoon, my husband and I sat on our back deck, both of us engrossed in our novels. Oh, we’d occasionally look up and out from the pages of our books and comment on the weather, what I might make for supper or whether or not he had to go to work the next day. But, the wonderful afternoon was spent with our faces in our books.

     Reading and Communicating

Even though I find reading to be a delicious pleasure, I believe that it also makes me a better writer and a better communicator. It gives me new topics to talk with others about, causes my brain to process new ideas, and exposes me to other authors’ styles of writing.  

This summer I have binged on historical WWII novels. Though the stories of French Resistors, prison survivors and battle worn characters are heart wrenching, their stories are inspirational. These people fought with true grit against the atrocities of Hitler in whatever way they could. They were brave, selfless and persistent.

In one such book, A Thread of Grace there is a line that I wrote down in my journal because I want to remember it, “No matter how dark the tapestry God weaves for us there’s always a thread of Grace.” 

Once someone told  me the religious acronym for grace; God’s riches at Christ’s expense. Though the acronym has stuck with me, its meaning does not penetrate too deeply. It would be a fine answer on a religious quiz, but it lacks anything real or personal. 

This one line from the book piqued my curiosity and caused me to think more deeply on the grace of God. So, when an opportunity arose for me to insert this quote into a conversation with a friend, I’d ask, “What does God’s grace look and feel like to you?”

One of my sidekicks told me over breakfast that God’s grace is similar to the Holy Spirit. She senses an energy that flows through her body and if she pays attention, she can find that her words and her actions are led by the goodness of God.

Another confidant explained it to me in this way. “God’s grace is knowing that he is holding my hand.” 

Yet another bosom buddy reminded me that God alone is the originator of grace and when they think about grace they think about how right as rain they are with God. “God actually likes me,” they say.

Finally, when I think of grace, I think of swimming. God’s grace, like water, makes me stay afloat.  

Why bother reading? You just never know what will happen when you stick your face in a book. You may have a new topic to talk about with others, your brain may be forced to process new ideas, or you might be led down a path that takes you deeper into an old idea.