Judging a Book By It's Cover

Yes, I do. I judge all books by their cover. I choose all the books I read, initially, by the cover. If a cover doesn't grab my eye, it doesn't get the time of day! I only read biography type books. The content of the book has to be based on true events otherwise I am not remotely interested. I need to read books that have depth, that can inspire me and that can teach me how to be a better person, a better child of God. This has always been my favorite choice of books. All through my school years, even though I loved to read, I never did well when we had to read fiction novels. They do not interest me...except "To Kill A Mockingbird"...I really enjoyed that book.

Tonigt was no exception. I had to stop at our local Christian book store. I decided to take a look at the books. A cover grabbed my eye immediately.

I had a feeling this was a fiction novel, but it still had my attention.  I started reading the back cover and skipped to the "about the author" paragraph.  I quickly realized this was definitely a true story.  The author, Rebecca Nichols Alonzo, has been featured on Dr Phil and CNN.  I continued reading the "book teaser" paragraph and couldn't believe what I was reading.  Back in November or December, there was an episode of Dr Phil I desperately wanted to see but I missed it...oh I don't know...I think I was doing something ridiculous...like working!!!  This book was that story.  The author witnessed her minister father and mother being murdered by a member of the church.  The most important part of the story is how the author learns to forgive the monster who took her parents from her.

So you see, if I didn't judge my reading material by its cover, I may have never picked this book up!  I am so excited to start reading it!

 

Yes I know my choice of books may seem depressing, odd, and sometimes pretty dark.  But I have read some pretty amazing stories...all of which were chosen based on their cover.  I have read about a woman who was raped but chose to give her child life and the Lord was glorified through the situation.  I have read about gang members who find God and use their experiences to reach out and witness to other gang members.  I have read about two college kids who give up the comfort of their homes and bank accounts to go live among the homeless to share God's love.  I have read about celebrities who hung out at the playboy mansion, who did drugs and who struggled with their fame, only to find God and use their celebrity to preach the Gospel.  And most recently I read about an average couple who followed the Lord's calling to adopt four kids through the foster system.  I don't want to read made up stories.  I want to be inspired, and how better to get inspired than to read about people who have made a difference in this world.

I already know the next book I'm going to read...

Look at those faces...now that's a cover that has my attention.



Eyes

Eyes.

This is the very first trait everyone notices about N.  He has the most beautiful big eyes and eyelashes that would make any girl jealous.

I still remember a picture we received of N. shortly after we had received his proposal.  I remember falling in love with his big eyes and the emotion they showed.  I know exactly how N. is feeling just by looking into his eyes - they are so expressive.  But they have always been full of life, full of emotion, from the first day we met in the Philippines (in Sept 2008).

Baby F. is another story.  I still think about our first meeting in Vietnam, almost 1 year ago - wow time flies!!!  He was lifeless.  He was a dead weight in my arms and his eyes were expressionless.  I secretly feared there was something mentally or physically wrong with him.  I never actually shared the extent of my fear with anyone, not even hubby.  The other children being adopted at the same time, seemed to be a lot more active, they laughed, they cried and they reacted.  Hubby noticed I was doing a lot of surprise noise making, trying to get a reaction from F.  Nothing.  Hubby asked if I thought something was wrong.  I just shared that I didn't think he reacted to any noises or to voices and he didn't have much expression, but deep down I thought it was a lot more than that.  As the days went on, his personality was starting to change.  He was laughing more and crying more.  Both good signs but his eyes still didn't speak to me.

The other day F. looked at me with his beautiful eyes and heart-melthing smile and I realized that he was o.k.  His eyes now tell me he is happy and healthy.  They almost sparkle.  All he needed was the love of a family, stimulation and the opportunity to try many new things.  As he stood there smiling, laughing, it was at that moment I remembered how sad, how lifeless his eyes had been the day he was thrown into the arms of complete strangers, who looked different and smelled different.  I can not begin to express how overjoyed and excited I am that his eyes now tell a much different story!

He still has anxiety issues.  Especially when that darn doorbell rings!  He scrambles to get into my arms and holds on for dear life.  In his mind, when the doorbell rings it means someone is coming to stay with him and that mommy (and/or daddy) are leaving.  This is not a good feeling for him!  But this "issue" we can work through.  We went through it with N.  I thought I'd be attending Kindergarden with him but nowadays, he hardly has time to say wave goodbye before he rushes off to find his friends.  N. still prefers to be with mommy and daddy but can handle being away from us for a little while.  So I have no doubt F. will work through his anxiety issue.  But as long as his eyes are sparkling and telling me he is happy, that's all this mama can ask for!