Books

by Lucy M. Young

I thank the Lord for books that take me places I can never go in person;
Books that grant my dearest wishes
And fulfill romantic dreams of travel and adventure.

I thank the Lord for books that lift me high above the rest of mundane daily tasks;
Books that help me soar on wings of joyous exultation to Shangri La;
For books that take me to exotic lands -
Australia, Egypt, Burma, Mandalay,
The land of the Midnight Sun.

I thank the Lord for books that tell of strong, courageous people
Whose selfless lives have made this world a better place to live;
For books of travel in the Holy Land
That let me wander reverently, vicariously, where Jesus walked.

And then I thank Him for the golden opportunity
To live where I could learn to read these books;
To live in freedom in a land where books are neither censored nor destroyed
But made available to everyone who has the will
To take advantage of this precious gift.