On Sunday I typically set aside time during the day for four things. (All four things do not happen every week, but that is just the way life goes.) The morning for attending church worship or a quiet time to myself and Jesus. Sunday afternoons are for my writing group. Sunday evenings are for visiting with friends if our schedules all align.
And most of all, Sundays are for reading. If any of the previous three things don’t happen, then I make a point of laying on my couch, or my newly acquired reading chair, with a good book. I read at night I bed, but find I don’t read long, so it takes ages for me to read a book this way. Now with time set aside, I am making my way through books I started months ago.
Memories of my Mother
Reading for me is clearing attached to early memories of life with my mother after my father’s passing. It was just the two of us at home, as my older siblings had all moved out and had families of their own. I enjoyed the typical bedtime stories from both my parents, but a particular memory came to mind this morning.
During thunderstorms, (and I remember many storms in my youth living in Northwestern Ontario), inevitably the power would go out. Mom and I would make a cake and once we put it in the oven (gas), we’d curl up on the couch under a blanket together and read a book. Today, in Canada, it is Mother’s Day, my first Mother’s Day without my dear Mummie. As I curl up on the couch to read, I will remember those times from my childhood and be comforted.
On this day of the week, I try to focus on all the good things about literature in my blog posts. Sometimes I’ll write a book review, announce a special literary event. This Sunday, I will combine literature and my theme for the past nine weeks and look at some related quotes I have found.
Quotes
Jesus Christ, God, the Son
I am with you always even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:20)
Brother Lawrence (early 17th century monastic his book The Practice of the Presence of God changed my walk forever)
You need not cry very loud: He is nearer to us than we think.
Charles Spurgeon (19th century English minister)
Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor.
Matthew Henry (a 17th century Welsh minister best known for his literary Bible commentaries)
By the light of nature we see God as a God above us, by the light of the law we see Him as a God against us, but by the light of the gospel we see Him as Emmanuel, God with us.
Robert Baer (an American author and CIA Intelligence Officer and Political commentator)
Bethlehem was God with us, Calvary was God for us, and Pentecost is God in us.
Gretchen Carlson (An American television commentator, journalist, and author)
There are no guarantees in life, but I believe faith provides all of us with a foundation to live the best lives possible – knowing that there is a higher being who loves us and will never leave us. Through the many struggles in my life, my faith is sometimes the only thing I have to hold onto. God was my only friend.