Judging A Book By It’s Cover

What’s the first book that you read and just completely fell in love with?  Do you have one?  I remember my red books that my aunts used to teach me to read.  Although they hold a fond place in my heart, I wouldn’t say that they were my favorites.  I had a love for the written language long before those red books came into the picture.

Different books have taken center stage at various points in my life.  I recall Teddy Ruxpin.  Although his name makes him sound like an R&B singer, he was a battery-operated bear.  When I was a kid, he was a hot ticket item.  And he wasn’t just any old bear, he was a bear that would read stories to you.  In short, he was my friend.  We liked the same things.

As I grew older, I fell into a hot and heavy relationship with the Berenstain Bears.  Ummmmm….I just know realized that I’ve had a thing for bears my whole life.  Which may be why I attended college at the home of the purple bears…  Okay, let me get back on track.  The Berenstain Bears books told of life with Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Brother Bear, and Sister Bear.  Their stories spoke to me.  Just a family living life and trying to get it right.

As a tween, I was a big fan of the Babysitter’s Club books.  I used any money that I received on holidays or birthdays to buy new books.  I couldn’t get enough.  Bible Study Mama supported my habit by signing me up for their book club.  They mailed the newest books right to the house!  Of course, I was in nerd heaven.

As a teenager, I got into the Sweet Valley High books.  I needed to know what everyone was doing.  Which boys liked which girls.  Were they ever going to make it through high school???  Was high school really that hard???  I would be on the edge of my seat.  I almost couldn’t take the suspense.

Of course, there are many books that I haven’t mentioned on my walk down nerd memory lane.  But each of them impacted me as well.  I would get drawn into the lives of the people.  I would suspend belief and become totally invested.  I would root for them.  Sometimes, I would cry on their behalf.  I was totally enthralled.

If reading books about fictional characters has that much power, imagine the power that your personal testimony holds.  After all, we are all individually another book of the Bible.  Sometimes, it’s scary to put yourself out there.  You may hesitate to share because people will judge you.  Guess what?  They’re judging you anyway.

We look at people’s outsides to evaluate if they have a life worth reading.  Often, if the outside looks good, we deem them to be worthy of our attention.  But sometimes the best-looking books are the hardest to read.  The inside is all fluff and nonsense.  The cover of my Bible is plain.  It states that it’s a study Bible.  Not flashy at all.  But behind the plain cover is a life changing, life-saving, life affirming message.

We all have a story to tell, and I’m a firm believer that our testimonies have the power to release people from bondage.  When someone sees that you made it, they know that they can too.  Share your story with someone today.  Share your victories.  Share your defeats.  Let them know that the same God who is keeping you will keep them too.  #wepreach