Reading enlarged my world and shaped my future. My parents constructed a simple built-in bookcase when we expanded our small ranch home when I was a child. It held our World Book encyclopedias, several novels, including Dr. Zhivago and Islands in the Stream, and children’s books. On the bottom shelf, we had a turntable with my parents’ albums. My sister and I read daily in a contented pursuit of page-turning. 

A hot summer day became the backdrop for Nancy Drew mysteries and Madeleine L’Engle adventures. We had a set of 1924 Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories that I read and reread hundreds of times. They contained short Christian moralistic tales with illustrations to teach gratitude, faith, and prayer through relatable characters. Why did I read with enthusiasm? It was a foundation of assurance from a person (author) that invited me into new places that could transform upon stable ground, our family room or back patio. 

Much like my childhood reading experience, the Bible offers the same call to new places and transformative possibilities. A cabinet with sixty-six books. Imagine the finely built wood bookcase and the authors with perfect pens. St Augustine wrote principles on reading the Bible, and I find this one remarkable:

“The Scriptures were written in such a way that as the reader advances, he will learn more fully and more correctly how to understand them.”

Just as I commenced with bedtime stories and later found Hemingway intriguing, consistent Scripture reading reveals what was once concealed. Yes, I am still on my journey of page-turning.  

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, 

May I read the Bible with the intent to grow in love of God and neighbor. Teach me to go to the bookcase of Scripture daily with faithfulness, reverence, and humility. Amen 

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…”

Hebrews 4:12