Week of October 15, 2001
Nancy E.

"For he who finds me, finds life."
Proverbs 8:35

A real treat for me is to find a little time in my life when I can go to the public library to choose a book solely for entertainment reading. During these rare times, I follow two paths: (1) check out a book I have been trying to find time to read, or (2) just wander the aisles until something catches my attention. This summer, it was the latter that introduced me to a wonderful, four-book series by Jan Karon The Mitford Series:

"At Home in Mitford"; "A Light in the Window"; "These High Green Hills"; and "Out to Canaan"

Mitford is a believable, small town in North Carolina where the reader quickly feels at home. Having grown up in a small town very similar to Mitford, I was completely engaged while reading the series.

Many sections of the books are absolutely hilarious to the point you will laugh at loud as you follow the daily adventures of Father Tim. Caution, this can be embarrassing when reading the book in a public location. Several people in the doctor's waiting room gave me strange looks.

Father Tim is an Episcopal minister who engages in ecumenical activities with the Methodists, Baptists, and those who practice a home grown faith in Mitford as well as the Lutherans from a neighboring town. The reader finds that it is the Lutherans who always are the big eaters at the community Thanksgiving dinner.

The author writes, "My books are formed on my connection to God. I try to depict not a glorious faith with celestial fireworks, but a daily faith, a routine faith, a seven-days-a-week faith. Father Tim's faith is part of his everyday life. He has simple prayers, not polished, pious prayers. He follows the Apostle Paul's command that we pray without ceasing. I try to depict how our faith may be woven into our daily file, like brandy poured into coffee. I believe that spirituality needs to be basic, common, everyday."

I invite you to read the Mitford series and meet many delightful characters such as Uncle Billy, Homeless Hobbs, Dooley, Barnabas, Miss Sadie, the church secretary who thinks the Baptists do everything better, and Father Tim. You will find their faith practices creep into your daily life.

Lord, like Father Tim, we offer the prayer that is always answered, thy will be done. In your name we pray, Amen.

Contributed by Nancy E.
Published Monday October 15, 2001
Week 47 of Liturgical Year C