One of the reasons that I’m not interested in owning a Kindle* is because I love to mark up my books. I underline and write comments in the margins, highlight sentences and put stars beside areas that I may want to refer to again. I know that you can do some of that with computerized books, but I like to physically hold a book, personalize it with my own thoughts and notes, and then be able to put it back on the shelf. (Plus one Kindle sitting on a shelf can never be the same as an array of books covering many shelves.)
However, it is just recently that I’ve discovered a new value to my underlines. I have learned to “pray the underlines.” When I read, I underline words that have challenged me, or convicted me – words that have spoken to my heart. But underlining words doesn’t mean that I’ve applied them, and so I have discovered the joy of going back through a book and praying through the words that I have underlined.
Recently I read a very old book that was tedious and difficult reading. But as I plodded along, I found wonderful thoughts tucked in here or there. Now I am going through the book again and finding the underlines to have greater impact as I make them into personal prayers then they did as I read them the first time.
If you’re a book-marker like I am, consider opening the book back up again when you’re done, and bringing to God those areas where He spoke to you as you read it the first time. I trust you’ll find, as I have, the impact and joy of “praying the underlines.”
*The only time when I am slightly tempted is when I’m flying somewhere and have to lug a carry-on through airports that is heavy with books.
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Eather,
Considering that I’m low-tech savvy, your entry has truly resonated with me. Back in the late ’70s before our paths crossed, I was involved very much in the Charismatic Renewal, through which Jesus profoundly rescued me from the mire of sin and blessed me deeply. But then, in 1979, a friend intoduced me to a more meditative and reflective side to prayer. A book I read at that time, When the Well Runs Dry by Thomas Green, helped me tremendously in weathering the desert experiences that were to come when the consolations of praise and worship dryed up. The margins of the pages in that book are crammed with the thoughts, inpressions, and Holy Spirit inspirations I had while reading it. I still go back to that occasionally and rejoice to see that many of those budding reflections have blossomed over time. Thank you!
Terry
Esther,
Hello my sweet friend. I write in all my books. The benefits are enormous! Even my Bible is crammed with my prayers and insights that the Spirit reveals to me. It is falling apart and I need a new one, but I hate to give it up because of all my writings. My mom went to be with our Father about 5 months ago. I miss her and think about her every day, but I was blessed to be given her Bible. It too is filled with her words, thoughts, and prayers. I think it is my greatest inheritance from her.