Re-Enter: Reading!

As I slowly move into a stage of motherhood where I once again have a little more time and energy for acknowledging some of my personal needs, I have been able to resume an enjoyable endeavor which has been necessarily placed (mostly) on hold since the time Abel was born:  reading!

I have always loved reading, but I've nearly always had limited time to devote to reading for pleasure.  During my school years, assigned reading and other homework and activities consumed much of my time; and in recent years, the normal responsibilities of adulthood--and motherhood--have done the same.

While my responsibilities haven't waned (and probably won't for many years!), my energy which was being zapped by pregnancy and nursing for the past five years has begun to return, rendering me more capable of and motivated to add some simple and worthwhile pleasures back in.

For this reason, and for for the sake of my desire to be constantly learning and growing, I am ready for the pleasure of reading to re-enter my life.  As with any pursuit, this, of course, must remain of lesser importance than my time in the Word; for the Bible is the one Book that is unquestionably necessary for the type of learning and growing I desire.  That being said, there is also much to be gained from Biblically accurate supplemental reading.  (Some of the books that I have found to be quite worthwhile are listed on the My Bookshelf page.)

In hopes of facilitating this process of growth and learning in the upcoming year--and also in hopes of focusing  and "making the most of my [free] time" (Ephesians 5:16)--I have begun compiling for myself a reading list full of books that I feel will help me to grow in the roles in which God has placed me.  While I don't know how many books I can realistically tackle in a year's time, I am certain this preliminary list will continue to grow as I learn of other good reads.  Here are the books I am keeping in my sights for next year.  Some I already own, and some I've read portions of before.

• The Mission of Motherhood:  Touching Your Child's Heart for Eternity by Sally Clarkson
• Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George
• Becoming a Woman of Influence by Carol Kent
• More Hours in My Day by Emily Barnes
• Heaven by Randy Alcorn
• Money, Possessions & Eternity by Randy Alcorn
• Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl
• Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot
• A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers
• Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney

What are some other Biblically sound, profitable books?  Leave your suggestions in the comments!

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