Beautiful Bait: 30 Days of Thanks - Day 10

Words. We take them for granted, don't we? The fact that we can READ and WRITE is something that not everyone has the luxury, ability, and opportunity to learn to do. I'm extremely thankful that that I've been created with an intricate mind that has allowed me to learn how to read, write, think, create, and feel.

Maybe I'm a "Debbie Downer," but I truly believe that with all of the technology that's available to us today, not only children, but adults alike, spend less and less time using their minds, their imagination... we don't read books and articles, create stories and scenarios with our God-given abilities. Instead, we feed our need for constant entertainment with other means... music, movies, television, the computer, etc. And I'm certainly not opposed to these amenities. I'm a really, really, big fan. They're some of the things that I'm thankful for. They help to keep me sane and happy. But, reading and writing is so often taken for granted that I believe people "forget" how to imagine. That's incredibly sad..

I love books. The smell, the feel, just knowing that something inside has come directly from the brain of someone else... someone who used the ability given to them and felt that they had something really important to share - whether it be fact or fiction. I am in LOVE with books. I'm a bit of a book-hoarder. If you take me to Barnes & Noble, don't expect it to be a short trip. This is going to be a several hour event. And its inevitable that I'll leave with at least three new books to add to my growing collection.

Then, came the genius invention of The Kindle. I was totally opposed as first because I love "real" books SO MUCH that I didn't think there was any way that I could love an electronic device. I love the feel of turning the pages of books. I adore hardcover versions with amazing artwork. But, last Christmas I jumped on the bandwagon. And, I've found a brand new love. The Kindle. Amazon. I AM OBSESSED. Seriously, folks, it's a totally worthwhile investment. And, there are literally HUNDREDS of free Kindle books to try... keep an eye out, you can find some amazing independent authors that are trying to get their "words" out there... it's not all about the money to them, it's all about the words that they want to communicate. Some of the best books I've come across recently have been free, or less than $3 on Amazon. I'm totally and completely hooked.

Finally, one day, I decided that I wanted to "use my words." We've all heard this from our parents at an early age. "Use your words..." instead of throwing a temper tantrum, stomping, screaming... we've been instructed to "use our words." So, because I adore reading so much, I decided it was time to use my words. That's when the whole world of writing opened up to me.

As a History major in college, I was no stranger to writing. For real... for three and a half years, ALL I DID was read, write, read, write, read, write. It turned out, I always did really well on my papers and any written portions of exams. I turns out that I really, really enjoy writing. Whether people enjoy reading it... that's entirely up to the reader. And sure, I want people to enjoy what I'm trying to say, but writing is an outlet that's far more for me than anyone else.

Lately, I've been given the most amazing, yet frightening opportunity... I've mentioned this before, but I'm in the process of co-authoring a book with Meredith Carter, the founder and president of Stealing Hollywood Ministries, LLC. I can't believe that I actually get to use the experiences and trials that God has allowed me to go through so that I can, in some small way, try to give girls another perspective, another option, another way to view themselves rather than through the "eyes" that Hollywood and modern culture is telling them to look through. It's scary because what I can say can go a couple of ways... it can help people (which is the main hope and desire), they can simply read it but do nothing with it and not give a crap about the time, effort, prayer, and research I've put my heart and soul into, but it can also shed a lot of light on my weaknesses, and that's definitely horrifying. It's never pretty to have other people know the skeletons in your closet. We're really good at covering things up to make ourselves look "pretty" on the outside, while inside we're literally falling apart and rotting away. So, PLEASE, I'm coveting your prayers for me and Meredith while we work on this project. It has so amazing potential to reach thousands of girls. And, when God is in control... you really never know what to expect. That's not terrifying at all, right???

Anyway, yep, I'm thankful for words. And, in "Heather" fashion - here are a some of my favorite - some a recent, some I've adored for years. I hope you'll take some time this week to turn off your laptop, flip the "off" switch on your remote control, and pick up a good old-fashioned book.