It is a “Winter Wonderland” out there. The world is covered in a white blanket, and the thermometer does not seem to go above 15 degrees. I always enjoy winter and have often said that I could not live where there were no four seasons.

 

 I know that once we retire we do not have to leave the house and can stay inside and enjoy the beautiful scenery created by Mother Nature. But I have had to rescind my feelings about this over the past week as I have gotten a case of cabin fever. I do not want to be crazy about going out in this weather, but I feel I have done everything I can think of in my house. I have put away Christmas decorations, I have cleaned out drawers, I have updated my files, and now I have decided that it is time to read a book.

 

ROZ’S BOOKCLUB brings you my current book. Since I could not get out I went through my collection in search of a book that I would enjoy. I came across Stories for the Heart, Over 100 Stories to Encourage Your Soul, compiled by Alice Gray.

 

The stories are compiled into eight groups starting with Compassion and ending with Faith. I find the opening quote very appealing, and I will include it here: “Man was walking in a wilderness. He became lost and was unable to find his way out. Another man met him and said, “sir I am lost. Can you show me the way out of the wilderness?”

 

“No,” said the stranger. “I cannot show you the way out of the wilderness, but maybe if I walk with you we can find it together.” Some of the stories are short and some are three or four pages long. There are entries by people such as Max Lucado, Norman Vincent Peale, Mother Theresa, Theadore Roosevelt, Pearl Buck, Helen Keller, Billy Graham, Martin Luther King, Jr., and many others, even small children.

 

This collection of stories will have you laughing and have you erupting into tears. You will find yourself sharing them with your family and friends.

 

I recommend this book very highly especially for this time of year. It is a book where you can read one story, set the book down, and go back to it later. It is also a book that will have at least one story that will relate to our personal life. It will give us hope for things happening in our lives.

 

I want to end this week’s column with the ending of the book, “The Lord replied my precious child. I love you, and I would never, never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints … It was then that I carried you.”

 

UNTIL NEXT WEEK, “NOW YOU HAVE HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE.”