All of my life I've had one thing that I can't get enough of….

books.

I love books.  Not all books.  I'm pretty picky.  But the ones that I like, I absolutely adore.

So when I tell you that recently I read the best book I've ever read in my entire life, you have to understand that is really saying something.

First of all, my disclaimer **I know that books mean different things to people depending on the season of life they are in, so if you disagree with my opinion, you can just assume you are not in a place at this time where you can really enjoy the book.

Stepping Heavenward  by Elizabeth Prentiss has been sitting on my bedroom bookshelf for at least five years.  During that time I know I've attempted to read it at least twice.

I just couldn't get into it.  It seemed slow and kind of boring, and I never made it past the first chapter or two before I moved on to something different.

I've gone through several months recently where reading just did not hold the appeal for me that it once did.  I love reading with my girls, but reading personally for myself in my free time has fallen low on the list of priorities for me.  And if I do have time to read, I tend to stick with non-fiction…it just holds my attention better for some reason.

Anyway, this is where I was at when I picked up Stepping Heavenward a few weeks ago.  On the cover is a quote from Joni Eareckson Tada:  "A guide for those who desire to leave the dull, dry indifference of spiritual mediocrity to discover the rich, deep joy of knowing Jesus more fully."

I decided to give it one more try.

And for some reason, this time it grabbed me.  I couldn't put it down.  And I couldn't stop thinking about it.  

I'm a lover of good old-fashioned novels.  Pride & Prejudice has a prominent spot on my bookshelf, next to The Age of Innocence and Little Women.

Well, Stepping Heavenward can fit right in with all of those when it comes to good writing about another era.  But it was also so much more than that.

I don't really want to tell you much about the story, because mostly I just want you to go read it for yourself.  I just want to share that I really loved it, and as hesitant as I am to give this sort of praise to a work of fiction, I have to say this book was so impacting to me spiritually.  Every page and every piece of the story just turned my eyes straight to Jesus again and again.  And it all comes through the story of a young woman, who I think we can all probably relate to.  There's always so much peace in finding out we are not "the only ones" facing and feeling certain things. Right?

So here's a favorite passage from my reading of the book…I hope you'll go and check it out for yourself.  I have no doubt you will be blessed!

I suppose to those who look on from the outside, we must appear like a most unhappy family, since we hardly get free from one trouble before another steps in.  But I see more and more that happiness is not dependent on health or any other outside prosperity.  We are at peace with each other and at peace with God; His dealings with us do not perplex or puzzle us, though we do not pretend to understand them…

Sorting through some old things I had saved from my high school days, I found a copy I had written of this poem…

Treasures

One by one He took them from me,
All the things I valued most,
Until I was empty-handed;
Every glittering toy was lost.

And I walked earth's highways, grieving,
In my rags and poverty,
'Til I heard His voice inviting,
"Lift your empty hands to me!"

So I held my hands toward heaven,
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches,
'Til they could contain no more.

And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God COULD not pour His riches
Into hands already full!

~Martha Shell Nicholson

I know I already showed you the beauty of our reviving apple trees.

But I'm going to show you more.

Because my sweet nature girl found something even more exciting than bright and crisp baby leaves.

The promise of something wonderful to come.  

We haven't seen any fruit from our trees yet.  We planted them three years ago.  And having been waiting patiently.  Maybe this will be the year!

It's so exciting to catch a glimpse of something that could bring future sweetness.

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Romans 8:24-25

I've found myself very intrigued lately by the idea of slowing down.  Not being so frantically busy that I can't even think.  Letting go of the unimportant and taking time for the valuable.  

I read things like this and feel inspired.  Ready to cut all of the stuff out of my life and focus on what's really important.  No more busy-ness and over-scheduling for me.  We are going to enjoy life, and relax while doing it.

Taking time for things like…

a morning walk with my girls (don't worry, Miss I snapped out of her grump mood)

enjoying sweet stories and fun crafts at our local library

impromptu picnics with our cousins

learning the art of baseball with Daddy

parties for special friends

and celebrating with ones we love.

So many opportunities to enjoy life and enjoy each other.  When we slow down and take the time to do it.

Except one thing: all these special moments you just saw happened in a single day.

One crazy, non-stop, full day.

A day I would have missed out on if I had given in to my rule of NO over-scheduling.

But they were all things that were important to us.  Things we wanted to do.  We would have been sad to pass any of them up.

My point is not that slowing down is bad.  Just that, for me anyway, flexibility is better.  It could have been a horrible day.  But instead it was wonderful!  We chose to do these things.  And (with a bit of will-power) chose to enjoy all of it.  I forced myself to resist the urge to feel "hurried" or "busy" and just took each thing one at a time, embracing all it had to offer.

All this to say that sometimes I think busy-ness is OK.  When you're busy with the best stuff.  My crazy busy day ended with a feeling of joy and humble gratitude, so blessed by all the love that was shared.  Blessed by having so many people in our lives that are so special, and worth being busy for.

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.  ~Winston Churchill