To the Book Fair (and Simplifying Life)

When I was younger, my aspirations for a book fair were quite simple; I would buy books about animals (mostly horses) and a variety of novels. My love of reading matched my love of having a lot of “stuff”, and I happily spent what pocket money I had, and then some.

Over the years, I have decluttered many an item in my home. On occasion I may feel as I did when I was a kid and want a grand collection of books, or fabric, or clothes, but overall I have calmed down and try to only buy what is necessary, or something that brings joy but is of decent quality.

I went to a book fair this afternoon with one of my sisters, and what I wanted to find were books that spoke to a time of the past. Books that are reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables, or hold Godly truth such as Catherine Marshall, author of Christy, among others. As I looked up and down the rows of books, what I wanted most were peeling paperbacks with thin, browned pages – so long as they had wholesome words inside.

I did strike gold with a few finds; numerous Enid Blyton books for my sister and her children, clearly second hand, without modern covers or changes to the language. An L.M. Montgomery for myself, as well as a small Corrie Ten Boom, and a few others. I recently finished a Christian novel by Marjorie Buckingham, and despite the pile of books on my bedside table, I will happily add a few more to the list.

I have been reading more lately, and desiring words and stories that are simple and true. I want to be reminded of the small steps that build a contented life, the ways others have met and trusted God.

A number of weeks ago I stopped listening to secular music. I believe this was a personal conviction, but I just suddenly felt compelled to… remove all the noise. We live in an age filled with distraction. There is always something else we can be watching, or reading, or listening to. And while there are so many good things out there, I wanted to simplify things. So I deleted most of my playlists (yes, even the eighties hits), and have been praising God in the car to work every day since.

It has been such a blessing to me. No matter what mood I am in before or after work, there is a reason to praise the Lord, to acknowledge Him as the great I Am, and to remember that this world actually doesn’t revolve around me. Another benefit of this is now when I go walking, these are the songs that are playing in the back of my mind. When I’m in the shower, these are the songs I begin to sing. And these songs turn into prayers, or are prayers themselves, and I’m so grateful that these are the words stuck in my head. Because they are the ones that are true, and they are the ones I need the most.

I enjoyed going to the book fair today. There were many books I did not want to look at or touch (some just have weird, nasty covers), but I prayed I would pick up the ones God would want me to read. And so here I am, with a few to add to the collection, and I think they are good quality. An afternoon well spent, I’d say!

Sarah xx