Reading Habits

I love to read!

As a kid filling out early job applications, I often listed reading as a favorite hobby. (Does that really qualify? Not sure. But I didn't play softball and I certainly wasn't a cheerleader! So, reading it was. Smile.)

But this morning gave me an all time high reason for reading on a regular basis. You see........

Dad came down for a visit this week to meet his new great-grandson. What fun! But as his single suitcase comes in the door, so do all the thoughts and memories of who isn't with him. Sigh.

Last night he fried fish for dinner; a family tradition when we get together. And afterward, we took lots of pictures with Spencer.

I was fine until we did the "generations" picture. You know - Great grandpa, Grandma, Mama, Baby - four generations. My heart turned to mush knowing that Mom should be in the pictures. Meagan caught my discreet request that Mom's quilt be in them at least.

(What does all this have to do with reading? I'm coming back around, hang on. Smile.)

My heart seemed full of emotional soup all night long. Changes with church, changes in our family, doctor's visits, prayer concerns, miracle-watching. Stir, stir, stir.

I woke at five and finally got up around 6:00 to find some quiet from all the loud thinking.

Good habits are a great thing! Out of habit I made coffee; grabbed my Bible and journal; made room for Gracie on the love seat; and settled in.

My Bible just happened to fall open to April 15th where I had this underlined, "The Lord said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand them over to Israel.' " Beside it I had written, "Don't fear; see a good outcome!"

I love to read many different genres. But my favorite reading involves promises made and encouragement given by a God big enough to do something about them!

Here's to seeing a good outcome on the horizon before it fully appears. How about you?