What do like to read when you have the time?
I, like most people, have a favorite author. She writes one book a year and I can’t wait until her new book comes out. Her books are an entertainment for me, not instructional or inspirational, but I enjoy them just the same. After the new book is read I am left hanging for a whole year until the next book is on the market. Occasionally I buy one of her books thinking it is new, only to find out they merely changed the cover to make it appear new, and then, I am disappointed.
I can honestly say my mother’s favorite book was the Bible. Oh, she would read others I would buy her as a gift, but would always go back to the book that never went out of style or print. It is instructional, inspirational, romantic, sad, and exciting. There are trials and tribulations, war and famine, deaths and births. It is never wrong or outdated, it is the same, like the author, yesterday, today and forever. If you open its pages and read it you will acquire wisdom and knowledge.
I find each and every time I read through the Bible, I find something new, and just what I need at the time of its reading. I don’t understand how that can happen except with the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This poem was written in 1893 and later put to music. I find it still true today.
My Mother’s Bible
M.B. Williams 1893
There’s a dear and precious Book,
Though it’s worn and faded now,
Which recalls those happy days of long ago,
When I stood at mother’s knee,
With her hand upon my brow,
And I heard her voice in gentle tones and low.
Refrain
Blessèd Book, precious Book,
On thy dear old tear stained leaves I love to look;
Thou art sweeter day by day, as I walk the narrow way
That leads at last to that bright home above.
As she read the stories o’er
Of those mighty men of old,
Of Joseph and of Daniel and their trials,
Of little David bold,
Who became a king at last,
Of Satan and his many wicked wiles.
Refrain
Then she read of Jesus’ love,
As He blessed the children dear,
How He suffered, bled and died upon the tree;
Of His heavy load of care,
Then she dried my flowing tears
With her kisses as she said it was for me.
Refrain
Well, those days are past and gone,
But their memory lingers still
And the dear old Book each day has been my guide;
And I seek to do His will,
As my mother taught me then,
And ever in my heart His Words abide.
Refrain
As parents we need to teach our children to stay in the Word of God on a daily basis. Even if it just memorizing a verse for Sunday school or Awanas. Read the Bible stories to them when they are small, and graduate to levels right for their age. It will be their mainstay in life if you arm them with this tool.
We as writers will often rerelease a book if it has gone out of print. We also have the option to fix or correct anything missed in the first printing. I wish we could have do-overs in life as well.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Proverbs 31: 25-28