Sometimes You Just Shouldn't

There are certain days of my work week when I do mostly reading. I have never been a voracious reader. As a kid, reading ranked right up there with eating peas. My seminary days probably marked my most extensive excursion into the printed page.  Anyway, in my present situation, I do - what is for me - a good deal of reading.

What I am learning is this--- sometimes you shouldn't! Sometimes too much reading is dangerous and depressing. It can squelch the spirit and stifle one's enthusiasm. Here are just a few examples:

• Presidential candidate Obama probably redefines the word liberal and people are totally unaware. His stance on abortion is beyond liberal. His position toward the gay and lesbian rights will push this country to normalize that behavior and his position on Federal funding for faith-based community programs is conditioned on hiring without regard to religious beliefs, sexual identity and orientation.  (Dobson & Mohler comments, BPNews On-Line Newsletter 7/21 ; "Soul Searching", World Magazine, July 26/August 2, 2008, 38)
• Medical doctor leaves a six figure job to devote himself full-time, not to missions, or helping poor communities with healthcare, but to pursue blogging full time - another six figure job. (Yahoo.Com, macrumors, 7/21)
• A transgender Oregon woman - living as a man gives birth and claims that doing so "doesn't make (him) less of a man." (World, ibid, 11)
• Sarah and Jacob lie and poor old and blind Abraham has no clue he is being duped.  (Genesis 27)
• Finding one's writing style and realizing that getting your work in print is more than an uphill battle and can take years and years of perseverance. (Ethel Herr, An Introduction to Christian Writing, (Highland Books, Godalming, Surrey and Write Now Publishing, Phoenix, AZ, 1999) 150-173

Well, I suspect there is no sense in spoiling your day. So I gather you get the idea. Sometimes you just shouldn't!

Then again, there are glorious days when reading can make my spirit soar and lift my heart to unimaginable heights. Many of those days are spent among the same pages where the "liars" live. For grace often abounds with just the flip of a page.

I like those days.