As I type this, I’m thinking back to when this blogging journey began. Who was I then compared to who I am now? Why does it seem significant to me to mark every 100 posts as if that’s a great milestone in my life? Is it? I know I’m ever changing and growing, but so much more happens in my life than I post here. That’s not necessarily a complaint. There is a certain freedom lost when I know there are people popping over here that are watching our every move, but it’s more than that. It seems I’m still on the quest for purpose when it comes to blogging. I started out just wanting to share my thoughts on things. This was a place to vent. God has used this place to bring some wonderful people into my life via the web. He’s also used it to bring challenge and healing to some special people, some of which I barely know and a few of whom I dearly love. It has served as a bonding tool between me, yoda, Robey, and many other YM friends. It has been a catalyst to an intercessory prayer team. Yes, I’m still growing and the purposes for blogging are many.
One of the changes in my life since Day 1 in the blogosphere is that I am once again taking the time to read just for the FUN of reading. I got lost under a mountain of How-To books as I was initiated into the worlds of parenting and youth ministry simultaneously. I could have completed a Masters Thesis on both topics with all that I’ve read and learned, yet still I remain a non-expert opinion outside of my own brain. But back to my point…reading for fun. Somehow I think I had convinced myself that I didn’t have time for such foolish luxuries as reading fiction. Those days would reappear after my youngest leaves home and I could have long leisurely afternoons curled up with a great book and a hot cup of chai. I would savor the words, flavors and aromas as I found rest and relaxation in a world someone else had created. O.K. you don’t have to worry – I pinched myself and jumped back to reality. The truth is, I need days like that right now – not some unknown date in the distant future. My youngest is 3…I can’t wait that long.
After Music, God speaks to me through books. Sometimes it’s a loud voice calling me to a place of acknowledgement, repentance, or thankfulness. Sometimes it’s a small whisper gently healing my broken places and applying a balm to those that remain raw. Sometimes it just a reminder that God invented laughter and wants me to experience it in large doses. I learn through stories as I see myself or people I know in characters and characteristics of those who live in fictional worlds. Then there are those books that seem to blur the lines between fiction and reality. I’ve read a few of those lately. I’m reviewing one such book here tomorrow. I look forward to sharing my thoughts on two books by Sharon Hinck: The Secret Life of Becky Miller and Renovating Becky Miller. So, see you here tomorrow!
Sometimes I Write 
Love your perspective on reading for “fun”. I’ve had those same former feelings of guilt associated with pleasure reading.
I’m trying to intentionally schedule in more time for fiction. It is definitely NOT a “foolish luxury”. I agree that God uses music first for me as well, but then He also chooses to open His heart through the words of a great novel and touch mine in the process.
Great post! I think I’ll take time today during siesta to delve into the Karen Kingsbury book that’s been sitting unopened on my nightstand. Thanks for the virtual nudge.
Looking forward to your review tomorrow. May God bless your day in the ways only He can.
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Well I’m glad that you began the “Journey.” It has been a blessing to get to know you and your family. Who’da ever thought I’d meet missionaries when I started my foray into the blogosphere, and then be named Time Magazine’s Man of the Year! (LOL)
I had no sisters growing up. I always wanted one and wondered why God never blessed me with any. I no longer ask. Such a question is no longer valid when I have been blessed with godly women who I consider to be equal in importance and standing in my life as any family that I was given by blood. Through Christ, we are eternally linked, and I plan on keeping up that during my time here on earth as well.
So Happy Three-hundredth Birthday, Niki! Keep on truckin’…er bloggin’!
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In my first or second week of class, one of my reading assignments for English Linguistics from The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language included a bit about Yoda-speak. It’s rare in languages throughout the world that sentences are arranged OSV (object-subject-verb). English, for example, is very strict in its SVO (subject-verb-object order). This is some, if not most, of the reason the little green guy’s speech was so distinct.
And since you mentioned Yoda, I thought this would be an appropriate way to congratulate you on the 300th post. Many more posts you have I hope.
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Music and books. I hear you girl.
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