I am grateful for the legacy of books, the gift that can carry with it, a bestowal that continually reminds me that l am seen, and known, and loved.
These three legacies in books have changed me, and have made me a wealthier man by all truest measures and meanings.
If a book carrying any one, or more, of these three legacies ever does leave me, it will go to one of my children, to a precious family member, or to a dear friend.
The thrift store will never see one these special books from my library in its giveaway bin.
I’ll carry those books into my old age, from house to house, country to country, until they wear worn and become fragile and end up in the homes of those I care about.
I may need to let go of that dream at some point. But if I do, that dream will die hard and will be an act of surrender to the God who always keeps my heart free of attachments that will not abide with me in eternity-as-I-understand-it-to-be.
There are some books my children will have to decide to keep or give away.
As an author, I’ve kept these three legacies in mind as I write and work with others on releasing each book into the wild.
At my best, I want books I’ve written to reach all those for whom they were intended.
At my best, I want books I’ve written to be passed on, as voice, beauty, and gift to another.
At my best, I want to write legacy books that whisper to people from their bookshelves for decades, and perhaps centuries, to come.
Find your books, books that leave a deposit within you of voice, of beauty, of gift—and keep them close by for the years to come.
THis article on the legacy of books originally appeared here, and is used by permission.