Hello There...
Growing up I was always led to believe that fiction books were all about an escape from reality, and not really meant to be taken seriously. Now trust me I can understand this stance. I mean if you think that Dracula is real then you must be crazy right? But why is it that just because people don't believe in the creatures that these books speak of that they are perceived as silly, and books without substance? Many times people go as far as to say that reading these books is sinful and letting the Devil into your life. I'd like to point out that there are many ways to let the Devil into your life, and that many of these books actually bring thoughts of God very close to the surface.
I will admit that I do often read to get away from the reality that is life. However, these books tend to make me think about things that are much deeper than what I'm going to make for dinner or what time I have to go serve coffee to people who are always in a rush. They make me think of God, and love and thankfulness. They make me think of enjoying every second of my life that I am lucky enough to have my amazing husband. They make me be open to people that are in all walks of life, and to see things through their eyes. I have learned that even if I cannot relate to a person, I can understand where they are coming from. And that not everything that is right for me will be right for everyone else.
I will even go as far as to say that these books have shown me the beauty of the world. There isn't a time where I look out on the horizon and don't think of a character that would love the image, and try to see it through their eyes. Every time I look at the stars I think of Edward telling Bella how he felt about her, using the night sky as the example, and every time I see a sunset I will think of soaring above the clouds with Daniel, and Luce. These things are beautiful and reading about them through the characters' point of view has only extended the beauty I am able to see in them.
You may find me to be a nerd or a dork, but I see God in all these stories. I can feel his presence with me when I read them, and I think that if your heart is in the right place then God will reach you to show you love through whatever means there are. I know that me and Him have shared laughter, joy, tears, and sometimes some anger over these characters because my heart is open when I am reading.
So next time you see someone reading a book that you might find dorky or cliche, think of the fact that maybe they are seeing a beautiful world that otherwise they would have missed out on, or maybe, just maybe they are spending a little private time with the big guy upstairs. You never know, maybe your point of view on how to read books could be changed by seeing how books truly affect the hearts and minds of those you tease. Give it a shot sometime.
Well. Here we go...
Wilbanks
