What I'm Reading Right Now
This summer I attended an event in Orlando where I met a total stranger, and when I introduced myself, she said, “Oh, I know your name! I have some of your books!”
There is a secret that perhaps you don’t know about life overseas. It applies to missionaries are expatriates alike. In every country I’ve lived this secret has held true, and I’m about to reveal something that may surprise you.
Everything gets passed on.
In every apartment I’ve lived, I could point out half the furniture and dishes and tell you who they used to belong to and how they came eventually to me. And I myself have left furniture, clothing, and obviously BOOKS all over the world, too.
We all do it. We just can’t take everything back home when furlough comes, so when it comes time to pack, store, or move, the Great Purge begins.
I’ve been blessed to “inherit” a lot of great things over the years from friends who’ve moved on to ministry elsewhere. And the book I’ve been reading this month was a triple blessing because I got it from a missionary associate who got it from another missionary in a box that yet ANOTHER missionary had left behind.
It’s a beautiful little gift book with 31 entries for a perfect month of contemplative prayer and Scripture reading. I say “contemplative” because it’s written to encourage the reader to “be still” and meditate through four pages each day: a wise quote by a respected leader, two short Scripture readings, and a little devotional thought. With beautiful illustrations, each day’s selection is short, simple, and yet profound as the reader reflects through the passages.
As faithful readers of my writing already know, I’m a worker, a “doer” by nature, and as much as I love to read, sitting around deeply thinking and praying is hard for me to do. I’d rather just get up and get to work for the Kingdom of God. Being still and giving everything over the Lord in prayer is not only a skill I need to develop, but it’s also the true key to the results I long to see. As Oswald Chambers said, “Prayer does not equip us for the greater work; prayer IS the greater work.” This is something I’ve been practicing this year, and it’s been a turning point for me spiritually.
I’m really thankful for the folks who gifted this originally to another missionary family, and for the journey of various missionaries who passed it on to me. I’m sure I’ll pass it on to someone else, and the blessing will keep going for years to come. I hope it’s a blessing that you might take advantage of, too. It would make a great gift for anyone who enjoys meditative Bible reading/prayer. It can be found on Amazon by searching for the editor “Amy Reinhold” but it only exists in this hardback form.