I used to read. A lot. I’d have stacks of books on my headboard, and I’d be in the middle of reading all of them. Have a hankering for sci-fi? I’d pull out David Weber (definitely rated R for language, so don't take this as a recommendation). Need a bit of fantasy? Lord of the Rings to the rescue. A seat-gripping, far-out novel? James Byron Huggins. A romance? Kristen Heitzmann. Not to mention classics galore in my post-teenage years.

I read less after I got married, and still less after I had the boys. The last few years I’ve hardly read at all.

2021 seemed like a good year to change that. I’m in the middle of my fourth book for the year already.

Funny thing about every book I’ve read so far this year . . . they’ve all been recommended by either my parents or Eric’s. Definitely not my teenage reading list anymore! 🙂

Running on Empty by Jonice Webb was recommended by my mother-in-law. It’s a fascinating study on childhood emotional neglect. It looks at how what didn’t happen to us in childhood affects us in adulthood, instead of the usual looking at what did happen to us. I know Eric’s mom has handed out copies of this book here and there, so if you’re one of those privileged few to have received one, read it, especially if you’re in the process of raising your own children.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit by Joanna Weaver were recommended by my mom. The titles of these books kind of explain what you’ll find inside, and the subtitles more so. Having a Mary Heart is subtitled “Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life,” and it uses the story of Mary and Martha to pursue that theme. Having a Mary Spirit is subtitled “Allowing God to Change Us From the Inside Out.” Sprinkled with relatable stories and easy-to-grasp concepts, these books are just the challenge a frazzled, busy mom needs. 🙂 I’m especially enjoying Having a Mary Spirit, which I’m only partially through reading.

A Third Way by Paul M. Lederach was recommended by my dad. A few lines from the back of the book . . . “This book is a breath of fresh air in a religious environment clouded with all kinds of extra-biblical teachings. The author helps us go back to Scripture and thoughtfully reexamine the premise of our faith.” Written by a Mennonite pastor, this book lays out a few of the basic tenets of Mennonite faith and then examines how Mennonite-ism differs from broader Christianity, while at the same time acknowledging that all Christians have something to bring to the table. It really was a breath of fresh air. It was a bit hard to get into at first, but it was well worth the read, especially to get to the last couple of paragraphs (which I've quoted below). I have no idea if it’s legal to reprint them here, so if someone reads this and knows better, please let me know.

“Mennonites have always been clear that Scripture is above tradition. But in practice this has not been clear. Many are fearful that the way of our fathers (tradition) might need modification. For them change appears to be unfaithfulness at the most, and disrespect at the least. Yet, since Scripture is the greatest authority, this conclusion is inevitable: faithfulness means readiness to correct what we do in light of clearer knowledge of God’s Word. Each new generation must discover this for itself, and be open to new light that might correct or enrich our biblical faith.
“Finally, there is no substitute for a living, dynamic relationship to Jesus Christ in the present moment. However, the present must be guided by the truth from the past (Scripture illuminated but not interpreted by tradition) and the hope toward which we move. A church that looks for a city to come is faithful only if it is on the move.”
(taken from Affirming Our Faith in Word and Deed, reprinted in A Third Way)

And while I’m recommending things . . . there have been two Simon Khorolskiy songs on repeat at my house lately. “Holy Is the Lord” and “The Wings of the Dawn.” I have no idea what “The Wings of the Dawn” is saying since it’s all in Russian, but I just love the music. “Holy Is the Lord” is literally the first half of Isaiah 6, word for word, with some of it read and some it sung; it’s sacred, haunting, and magical, all at once. Give it a listen. Or better yet, go watch the music videos. Simon Khorolskiy is a singer/composer from Washington, and we’ve already picked out Long Beach, the Gorge, and Cape Kiwanda in some of his videos. 🙂 His mission, in his own words, is “that many more souls will be touched by the Gospel through my singing.”

What are you reading or listening to? I'd love to know.