The Book Cover
The thick paperback book lay quietly in my TBR pile for several days. While it came highly recommended by a trusted reader-friend, the pastel title and dark cover did little to encourage me to pick it up. It reminded me of an old romance novel. I couldn’t put off reading the book any longer. The book club when my middle school girls would discuss it fell just days away on the calendar.
Hours later, I looked up bleary eyed. As my heart pounded with the suspense of the story, I realized I almost missed this adventurous and creative tale because of the unappealing cover.
A Crate of Classroom Supplies
Sweat dripped down my back as I loaded the last crate of classroom supplies into my car. Key were turned in, good-byes said and hugs given. We’d known of our move for weeks. A new house waited for us in a new town for My Beloved’s new job, but no new position had been found for me. After years of work, the latest college degree I’d recently completed looked as though it would go unused. While I knew our move was our next right thing, my heart weighed heavy with the change.
Months later, I carried the same crate of classroom supplies into a new room in a new school. My heart pounded with anticipation of the new opportunity and the revelation of God’s hand at work.
A Liturgy for an Unappealing Book Cover:
Lord, Is this truly the story you’d have me read?
The cover is dark, the title unappealing and it’s a genre I don’t often choose.
I exhale my trepidation. I inhale Your goodness.
I hold the new book loosely and gingerly open the cover.
My Friend and Guide, I trust your leading.
You are the Author and Perfecter of this story.
-Amen
Hugs and Blessings, Bethany