Same Kind of Different As Me

After 8 years of ongoing work, I finished my masters degree last spring and spent the past year recovering from all the required reading I endured. I guess that explains why this Reading Specialist has had so much difficulty reading these days. I have at least 5 or 6 books I started, and then abandoned.

I used to read voraciously, often staying up until late into the night and telling myself, "just one more page" until my eyes were heavy, my curiosity was satisfied, and the book was finished. That's not the case these days.

I heard Ron Hall and Denver Moore speak last year and my curiosity was piqued. I got their book but didn't start reading it right away. It sat around for months like all the other books I have tried to read and couldn't finish. Once I did finally pick it up, it was the first book I have read from cover to cover for a very long time. I was pulled deeply into the story of these two men, brought together through unique circumstances. By the last few chapters, the tears were streaming down my face and I couldn't put the book down.

If you want to read it, I've got a copy of it and am willing to share. It tells the story of the unlikely friendship between a homeless man and an art dealer, brought together by an incredible woman of faith whose life of faithful service was cut short.

Most importantly, the book challenged me to live "outside of myself", not missing opportunities to give of myself to others and to the higher plan that God has for me.