what are you reading?

In college, I was obsessed with self-help books.  I would browse that section of the bookstore for hours.  Trying to soak it all in.  Whatever "it" was.

The new shoes felt good at the time of purchase.  The Starbucks latte warmed me up until I drank it all.  The expensive sweater worked until the new style hit the stores.  And I felt good about the way I looked until I saw my friends looking better.  Since none of those worked...there must be something out there that would.

I was miserably depressed and searching for something to make my heart feel full.

Yes, I was even a redeemed-child-of-God at the time.

But I had left my first love.

I sought after those things that were right in my own eyes.  Little did I know, those Israelites and I have all too much in common

Yet, now.  In this moment.  In present-time.  I sit here.  In the stillness.  The quiet.  Reading God's word.  And it feels good long after I bought my Bible.  It warms me up even after I've drank it all in.  It never goes out of style.  And when I view myself in the mirror of "the Word", I see the beauty of God in me.

My heart feels full.  I am satisfied.  And now that my palette has tasted food of a "holy" quality.  It wants more.

*******

I am a far-cry from a perfect wife, mother, friend.  I never feel quite up to par.  I strive, everyday, to be better.  I want to learn more (a constant urge in my life).  I 'm not sure, however, if that's the Christian, the teacher, or the Michelle in me.

Whichever it is, I want all the help I can get.

*******

Now, instead of the self-help section...you can find me browsing the "God"-help books.  Because time has shown, He can help me a whole lot better than my-self.

And that has made all the difference.