Weavings is a monthly reflection that is the collective effort of the Wheaton Franciscan Covenant Companions and Sisters to provide spiritual nourishment that helps us feel God’s presence in daily living and invite an openness to God.
Unexpected Lessons From Books
Written by Carol Sejda, Covenant Companion
I often escape the world and personal responsibilities by diving into books. I can be transported all over the world or solve baffling mysteries or learn a new skill while sitting and reading. I forever give thanks to my dear Mother who shared her love of reading with her daughters.
My Mom had a factory job at Rand McNally Map and Book Publishers. She took advantage of an employee discount to purchase bruised or otherwise damaged books for me and my sister, which we devoured. To this day, I continue to find not just distracting tales but unexpected tidbits of wisdom in the books I read daily. The Spirit can seek us out and gently lead us to discover or reinforce a life lesson.
I recently finished a book about a bookseller whose store was a floating barge on rivers in France (The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George). The following passage set me pondering:
“My little big friend Sammy left me with one final scrap of wisdom. For once she didn’t shout—she tends to shout. She whispered very quietly to me: ‘Do you know that there’s a halfway world between each ending and each new beginning? It’s called the hurting time, Jean Perdu. It’s a bog; it’s where your dreams and worries and forgotten plans gather. Your steps are heavier during that time. Don’t underestimate the transition, Jeanno, between farewell and new departure. Give yourself the time you need. Some thresholds are too wide to be taken in one stride’.”
What are you telling me, elusive Spirit? Is it a lesson I have learned before? Not all moments can be joy-filled. Some are “bogs” that we wade through to get to a dry, smooth path. We need to take the time and trust that growth occurs even when our spiritual journey seems to flounder.
Not profound, perhaps, but a gift for which I am grateful.
Are you an eager reader of books for pleasure? Do you keep a list of books you want to read. Do you eagerly await the next book by a favorite author? Have you highlighted passages you want to remember? Has the Spirit unexpectedly reached out to you while you were reading? If so, please click below on “Leave a reply” and consider sharing a comment or insight. You may help others to consider a different perspective.
Thanks so much for sharing this reflection on how books can enrich, challenge and inspire us while also transporting us to new lands, new experiences and new insights.