Writing
I’m a writer.
It means that I write. It also means I read, because a good writer is also a reader of what other writers write.
Got that?
Reading
I love to read. In fact, I am addicted to books. I savor them. (Yes, that even means SMELLING them!) I admire the covers long before I read them. I touch them and flip the pages if they are physical books. If they are electronic, then I scroll through my reader—just because I love to browse through my beautiful books!
Yes, of course I read them, too. Choosing the current book to read is an art.
Self-Control
I have a book addiction. I am admitting it. That’s the first step, right?
You see, it is just too easy to hit a button on my electronic reader and add to my collection. I’m sure if I had daily access to the physical bookstore, I’d be there. And I AM there often!
This morning, I heard a radio discussion concerning self-control. Uh-oh.
Self-control has been in the back of my mind concerning my acquiring of books. But only in the back of my mind—until now. I just can’t keep myself from pressing that button on my reader. This, of course, leads to financial consequences. All those “dings” add up at the end of the month on my credit card!
I didn’t hear the whole discussion this morning, I think I may have to go to the radio host’s website and listen to the podcast, AND of course, buy the guest’s book!
Fruit of the Spirit
Self-control is one of the Fruits of the Spirit. What does this look like for most of us in our everyday lives? Especially when we face our acceptable addictions? The ones we all have and just live with.
The Scripture tells us that if we belong to Christ, we have crucified our flesh with its passions and desires. I think that means even those things that are acceptable addictions. Those things that have control over us. Those things that dictate our behavior.
So, today, I put a stake in the ground. With my book addiction. I pledge to limit how many books I will allow myself to buy in a month and trust that God will do immeasurably more in my life than I can imagine.
I don’t want to stop loving and reading books, but I want to love my God and read the Scriptures even more!
As a writer.
As a reader.
As a Child of God.
Challenge
How about you? What is your acceptable addiction that you might place under the Lordship of Jesus today?
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” Galatians 5:25.
You don’t have to stop…the library is free and you have access to thousands of books! Easy on the budget, and sooooo many worlds open to us!
Yeah, I found an app on my phone “Libby.” Only, I don’t know my password and have to go talk to the librarian to reset it. That was my instruction to get the app to work. Guess that’s now on my to do list.