Sunday, February 4, 2007

Sense of Adventure...Or Not

There is nothing I like better than seeing a stack of unread books on my nightstand. Why? Because those are adventures waiting to happen. I never know what will happen when I open the next book in my "to be read" stack. It is a complete mystery, and that is completely thrilling to me. I always have to have a book "in process." I have been known to finish a book as I am lying in bed, and read even just 2 pages of a new one before my eyes can't take it anymore just so I am "in the middle" of the next adventure. It's almost like I can't stand to have a book sitting on my nightstand teasing me to come jump back in to the unknown.

The other night as I finished a book and picked up a new one, I lay there contemplating the love affair I have with good books. It struck me that my literary life has a ton more adventure in it than my regular life. Adventures, spontaneity, and the unknown in my real life do not in any way intrigue me. When I am reading, there are times my eyes go dry because I can't even blink for fear that I will miss the next "unknown" that is coming around the corner. In real life, I find myself struggling for control to prevent the unknown. I fight the unknown. I have even been known to beg God to reveal to me what is coming in the next week, month, or year.

This realization has made me think that maybe I should try to approach life like I do a good book. When I turn the page I may laugh, cry, gasp, groan, or scream. But, the Author of my story knows that each giggle or tear keeps me compelled to journey with Him 'til the end. Praise the Lord that He has patience with me as I try to find the same sense of adventure in life that I have when picking up a new novel!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Jer. 29:11

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