Condensations

The Friends of the Abilene Public Library recently had their yearly book sale for the benefit of the library. For a reader, there is no more glorious sight than a huge room full of books to buy at a bargain,

I was struck by the number of Readers'Digest Condensations in the sale. We sold them by the yard--$2.00 a yard. They were snapped up by home decorators to set on shelves between potpourri and candles. Some were chosen because they matched the primary colors in the living room drapes.

Although condensations do whet the appetite, Jean Little once wrote, "Condensed versions are like people who read a road map and think they have been on a journey." I prefer the full book myself with all the plot twists, the difficult words and the innumerable characters.

Haven't you wished as I that the gospels were not condensations? But if they were not, it would be as John says,
"all the world would not hold all the books...."

Father, thank you for the short stories, pithy parables and memorable quotations you have given us. We yearn for the day when all those plots will be filled in, and we can see you face to face.