Favorite Reads of 2013, and How I Make Time to Read

1) The Presbyterian Doctrine of Children in the Covenant by Lewis Bevens Schenck: I wish I had read this when my Mountain Man and I were studying paedobaptism. It would have answered so many questions. I remember reading this book early in 2013 and thinking to myself, "I've been duped! We've all been duped! We don't even know our own history, and would so many of us love John Calvin if we really knew what he thought about children and the covenant?" I also declared it my most favorite read of 2013, even before I had read other books. If you're paedobaptist, this is a must read. If you're considering paedobaptism, this is a must read. And if you want to understand your paedobaptist friends, this is a must read.

2) Charity and Its Fruits by Jonathan Edwards: R.C. Sproul counts this among his top ten favorite books, and I understand why. The Holy Spirit used Edwards' exposition of Scripture to expose my own sin of not loving some in my life according to His Word. This book will humble and challenge you and encourage you to examine what 1 Corinthians 13 looks like lived out. It's not an easy read, but go for it anyway. It will give your brain and soul a hearty workout!

3) Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp: This book is heavily marked up, and I have sticky notes throughout. This is a parenting book. This is a marriage book. This is an everything book. To think that we are instruments in our Redeemer's hands to offer grace and encourage change in others' lives is astounding. "Receiving grace means becoming a conduit of grace to others."

4) The Road by Cormac McCarthy: I have to push myself to read fiction outside of what I read with my children, but I'm getting better. Ink has been after me for a long time to read The Road. I finally did and wondered why I waited so long. My son can convince you to add this to your list with much more eloquence than I can--3 Reasons You Should Read The Road.

5) With Love, Edith by Edith Schaeffer: Reading this collection of letters by Edith Schaeffer was like sitting at a table with her and having her share her life and years of wisdom from walking with the Lord. It took me 4 months to finish this first volume, and I was left encouraged by her faith and trust in the Lord to provide for all of their needs. It was also sobering to read of her son, Franky, and what I perceived as a diluted diligence in parenting him, knowing that he has left the faith. I'm currently reading her second collection, Dear Family, and enjoying it every bit as much.

6) The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer: I LOVE this book! Such encouragement to care for our homes and our family to the glory of God. I disagreed with Edith (she's the kind of person you want to call by her first name) on a few points, but appreciated the rich life she sets forth for the homemaker. Read this one and love your family well in the details of ordinary life, life made beautiful by the many ways He gives us to use our talents for His glory.

7) Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot: In our days of androgyny and egalitarianism, this book is a must read. Let us not lose sight of the truth that God made man and woman, and we are different. An important book to read with your daughters.

8) When People are Big and God is Small by Ed Welch: I read this last year at a time when I was struggling with some issues involving social media. My fear of man loomed large, and this book was extremely helpful in exposing that sin and encouraging me to fix my eyes on Christ and fear God alone. One of my favorite quotes from Welch is, "The fear of the Lord simplifies life."

Finally, I'm sometimes asked how I find time to read. The truth is that I don't "find" time. When I look at my daily schedule, I don't see an open slot for sitting down with a good book. There is always something else to do that calls me away from reading, so I have to make time, and it's challenging. Did I mention that it's challenging? As a homeschooling mom, I'm reading a lot with my children, which means I have to work extra hard to set aside time to read things on my own, especially with the amazing blessing of little people running about the house. But my daily goal, which I often don't reach, is this: 15 minutes in the morning after my Bible reading, 15 minutes in the afternoon, and 30 minutes before going to bed. That provides an hour a day of reading. 

If most of us counted the minutes we use watching television or reading blogs or visiting Facebook or Twitter, I'm pretty sure we'd come up with at least an extra 30 minutes a day to read a good book. The availability of shallow reading via our phones or iPads, etc. deceives us into thinking we just don't have time. The truth is, we have to be willing to give up the easier things in order to reap the benefits of intentional living. We have to purge our days of excuses and make reading a habit.

Much love,
Trisha


**My encouragement to read is nestled in the assumption that you are already spending time daily in the Word. If not, of course that should be the priority over any other thing you might read. :) And obviously, there are always EXTREME cases of life that would prevent one from having any time to pick up a book. I'm not addressing those exceptions.