Jewells of Thought

Daily writing prompt

List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

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The idea of attempting to widdle down 30 plus years of reading to 3 books is not an easy task. I believe my three books would have to begin with the Bible. Giving credit where it’s due I would have to say my family for taking me to church and Sunday School. The stories are so diverse and sometimes like Ms. Scarlett O-Hara’s life in print. However, the stories are so unique and they tell us how not to be and how to be in ways that are relatable.

My second choice would probably be Sarah Sundin’s debut series, Wings of Glory, “A Distant Melody.” Before I found this book up at the Open Door, I had a difficult time it was the year my beautiful niece was born and my Uncle Mike’s death. Our side of the family didn’t get as much time with her those first couple of years. That itself was difficult to fathom on top of losing my ‘funny bone.’ I did a lot of reading and I thought it helped to some degree, but they were cookie cutter stories. At first they were necessary, I remember needing happy endings where everything worked out.

Finding this book introduced me to historical fiction, not the sappy love stories I was looking at this book had more meat in it that I needed. I have this connection to World War 2, I hate to say it’s comforting and yet that seems right. My grandparents courted during that time so I guess somehow it is a comfort, because it is a starting place for me. This author compelled me to read the entire 50 chapters in less than 48 hours. Quite a page turner for me. Each series she writes takes me to that time in history.

The third book I think I have written more on the Carthage Series than any book I have read. I was also on the edge with each page turn. The first book captured me in so many ways. It raised a lot of questions for me as a christian woman. Could I if God willed it survive in a different time of history? I have always loved the idea of wishing I could see history up front and personal, but this book was challenging. Serving the Lord is not always an easy choice, but silence means nothing changes. Loving others who are different is also a challenge, yet Cyprianus Thascius chose to take the road God had for him and showed him he could love slaves even as the Solicitor or Bishop of Carthage.

Without my knowledge of the Bible I am not certain I could not comprehend what I needed to from these books. God is amazing in that He gives us what we need even when we don’t have a clue ourselves.