#25: Donald Miller
This man has completely captured my heart. I have read 2 of his books and each book was so captivating that I struggled to put them down. The first was Blue Like Jazz. It's hard to even describe how amazing this book is. It is quite possibly the best book that I have EVER read. I know that's a bold statement but it is so true.I just finished reading Through Painted Deserts and it had me in tears. While reading Donald's books you feel like you are in a deep conversation with an old friend and you never want it to end. It's amazing and comforting to realize that other people think the same way that you do. His books make you feel like you aren't alone in the world. I want to share some things that touched me. I honestly feel like he took these thoughts out of my head and put them in a book!
- I've learned, too, that I don't really know very much about anything. I thought I had everybody figured out, even God, but I don't. The woods have taught me life is enormous, and I am very tiny in the middle of it. I feel, at times, like a droplet of water in a raging river. I know for a fact that as a grain of sand compares in size to the earth itself, I compare in size to the cosmos. I am that insignificant. And yet the chemicals in my brain that make me feel beauty when I look up at the stars, when I watch the sunset, indicate I must be here for a reason. I think that I would sum it up this way: life is not a story about me, but it is being told to me, and I can be glad of that.
- I think we are supposed to stand in deserts and marval at how the sun rises. I think we are supposed to sleep in meadows and watch stars dart across space and time. I think we are supposed to love our friends and introduce people to the story, to the peaceful, calming why of life. I think life is spirituality.
- I promise myself if I ever get frustrated with life again, if I ever get into river-deep debt, I will sell it all and move out into the woods, find some people who aren't like me and learn to love them, and do something even harder, let them love me, receive the love of somebody who doesn't share my faith system, who doesn't agree with me about everything, and I will sleep beneath the stars and whisper thank you to the Creator of the universe, as a way of reacquainting myself to an old friend, a friend who says you don't have to be smart or good-looking or religious or anything; you just have to cling to Him, love Him, need Him, listen to His story.
- You feel like life is always leading up to something, but it isn't. I mean life is just life. It's all happening right now, and we aren't going to be any more complete a month from now than we are now.
I realize that these little bits of the book may not mean much to you but they speak volumes to me. I find it fascinating that he can say things so simply when I struggle to even realize that I am feeling these things. I really don't have things figured out. I like to pretend that I do and make others think that I do, but really when it comes down to it...I'm a mess. I have to continually remind myself that life is not a story about me. It's so easy to get caught up in my own mind and forget that there is life going on around me. I need to just stop and marvel at the things around me...the sound of leaves, stars, laughter, the smell of home, a smile, family pumpkin carving contests, old friends, pregnant sisters, cousins, art, and the greatest gift of all...love. I forget to stop and rememeber that I have all of these things in my life. I always want more when I already have everything that I need.
So, in conclusion I have to say that everyone should read at least one Donald Miller book. If you don't then you are missing out on knowing a great friend. If anyone wants to borrow a book let me know and I'll get it to you ASAP.
Amber
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