Enjoying God through the gift of knowledge.

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I love this little corner in my home. Every time I walk past it I feel my mood lift. There are books from several different genres. Some are educational, historical, awe-inspiring, viewpoints of humanity. Others are frankly depressing.  Fantastical stories of suspense and adventure are located there as well.  On the edge sits the king of them all, The Compact Oxford English Dictionary. We love plumping that dictionary down on a table and looking up words using the magnifying glass you can see sitting on top.  This book not only gives the definitions of words, but it also explains their origins, evolving usages, meanings, spellings, and histories. So much is included in this one volume that using the magnifying glass is not an option but a necessity. The font size is much too small to read without it.  I find it fascinating.

Above the little library corner hangs a portrait made of inlaid wood. This is a copy of an original painting by Carl Spitzweg, called The Book Worm. It encompasses the heart of why this place brings me joy. I would enjoy a library like that one, climbing ladders and pulling out books of all different kinds to learn from.  The man on top of the ladder is holding a book in each hand, one tucked under his arm, and another squeezed between his knees. His nose already pressed into one open book, he is the quintessential book lover.

“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”
Proverbs 18:15 English Standard Version

A friend of mine used to often say that being a Christian does not mean you have to check your brain at the door. God is everywhere and gaining knowledge in any area also increases our knowledge and understanding of Him. One magnificent way of understanding the Creator is to examine His creation. Never grow tired of learning, expanding, and growing in knowledge. Dig into massive assortments of topics and discern how all of it points us right back to an intelligent, creative God.

Text copyright Richelle Hecker
Photo copyright Victoria Hecker