Every now and then, I have a high school student tell me after we finished reading a book that it was the first book he ever read. There have also been a few students who replied "Dr. Seuss" when asked who was the last author they read.
When asked why, they give the same reasons. "Reading is too boring." "I just don't like to read." "I'm too busy." They don't know what they are missing.
I usually don't have to ask who the avid readers are. That soon becomes apparent by how well they read aloud and by how well they write, with good grammar and a large vocabulary.
It is hard for me to understand why students don't like to read, but that is because I was fortunate to come from a family of readers. My dad always had a book in his hands when not doing something even more important. Mother finally got a chance to do her reading when my siblings and I grew up.
My brothers, sister and I all became avid readers of a wide variety of books. I cannot imagine a life without reading.
Our parents were also responsible for instilling in us something even more important - a faith in and a love for God. It was just part of our lives whether in the prayers they said or the Mass we attended as a family every week.
Faith is still part of the daily lives of my wife Jo Ann and me. So I sometimes have trouble understanding people who do not believe in God - or at least live their lives based on God's teachings.
These people usually give the same reasons - belonging to a church or living a faith-filled life is too boring, they are too busy or they just don't like it. They don't know what they are missing.
Unless God is at the center of their heart, their heart is empty. Those who believe are easily spotted by the way they live. Their heart is full with the love of God that overflows into the love of others.
+++
No matter how busy you are, there is always time to love.