When we were growing up my mom and sisters were great seamstresses. They also enjoyed various kinds of similar projects such as quilting and knitting. Well all those arts that require a needle look about the same to me. Their projects seemed to accumulate faster than they could finish them, so it seemed like there were always boxes of fabric, yarn, and patterns.
When my brother got married he told his wife that he’d be happy to purchase whatever craft and sewing projects she wanted. There was just one stipulation. He told her she had to finish one project before buying anything else!
My husband has become a collector of books. He loves to go to the Christian bookstore and stock up on all of their great sales. We have books on shelves, in boxes, in closets, stacked under the beds. And yet still he was wanting to go to the Christian bookstore every time there was a sale. One day I thought about my brother’s stipulation to his wife’s sewing projects and told him about it. “Honey,” I said, “I think you should be able to buy all the books you are going to read. How about from now on you can only buy a book for everyone you’ve read that you already have!” To my huge surprise he told me that was a great idea and that he was going to do it!
Jason threw himself into the thickest book on the shelf. I laughed thinking that he’d never buy another book, but actually he has made great progress through it so he may buy another book yet. Still, he likes to go to the Christian bookstore and check out the sales. He’s been true to his word though. Now he comes home with a few new nonfiction DVDs and audio books each time!
Good idea, but there must be exceptions! I don’t know what to dowith all our books. Every time I think I should get rid of some of them, I start reading here and there, and think I might read them. At this point it isn’t likely. And one of your sisters just cleaned out her book cases and brought me a shopping bag full of books that she thinks I might want to read!
It’s so hard to pass up a good sale, isn’t it?
I’m also a reader and collector of books. I enjoy lending out my books to the gals in my Bible studies after I’ve finished reading them. That way the books aren’t just sitting & collecting dust on my shelves.
Every year I sort through my books and pull some out to donate to a prison ministry that I volunteer for. The ministry sends letters/tracts and used Christian books to prisoners across the U.S. It gives people something that is positive, helpful, healthy, and encouraging to read while they are incarcerated.
It’s not only a great way to recycle your old/used books, but it also helps to spread God’s Word and grow God’s kingdom among those who really need it the most.
Oh how we LOVE books around here Esther!! Way to be gracious!! Blessings!
Great post, thanks for sharing! Cute blog, I love it.
-Melanie
P.S. I’m doing a $50 Shabby Apple giveaway on my blog. You should check it out here: http://meandmr.com/post/35113285949/shabby-apple-50-giveaway