4 Things You Must Know About Me: Fact #2

Fact #2:  I May Go Slow, But I Don’t Give Up

Slow Reader

I’m a slow reader.  I understand perfectly well most books that I read.  It just takes me a long time to read one.  Your basic 200-page Christian living type book could take me between one to three months to read.  Mostly it’s because I process while I read each part rather than simply skimming through the whole thing & trying to grasp the overall point.

And I’ve been mocked.  I’ve been challenged.  Some people have told me I just need to work harder at it.  Others have told me I need to set goals.  And I’ve done those things.  They haven’t produced any difference other than putting me under more pressure and guilt.

But I don’t give up.  I figure that if I’m reading, I’m growing and learning all along the way.  So what if I tackle things in smaller chunks?  The old adage says the way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.  (I’ve never tasted elephant and don’t wish to do so. But I do keep reading in little, bite-sized chunks.)

Sometimes, I just have to set a book down that isn’t really hitting me where I’m at in life right now.  I can always come back to it later.  And lots of times when I do that, it is so much more enjoyable and enlightening to me the second chance I give it.

Auditory Learner

Additionally, in the process of discovering that I want to take in as much information as possible to grow as a leader and can’t seem to do more in the area of reading, I discovered that I am more of an auditory learner.  And guess what technology provides for us these days?  Audiobooks!  And on top of that, there are a ton of great podcasts out there with amazing information to be taken in. (Maybe I’ll write a post listing some of the terrific podcasts I subscribe to.)

I say all that to say that I’ve learned I don’t always have to pick up a book to learn or develop or expand my imagination.  There are other methods of learning and growing as a person and as a leader.

Easy Does It

So, since we are going to be friends, I figure that today you should know pretty early on that I typically go at relationships like I do books… slowly… in bite-sized chunks.  And you also need to know that I don’t give up on people.  Ask the students we have ministered to over the years, some of whom are now adults with their own families and just trying to live life well.  Ask the adults we have led who don’t always get everything right.

Even if we hit it off right away, it may take us a little while… like years… to develop a deep relationship.  But you can rest assured, if I won’t give up on a book, I won’t give up on you.

Friendships are not always simple and easy.  They take time, effort and commitment.  They are like one of those books I trudge through.  I enjoy them.  I want to make progress.  But everything doesn’t have to be finished tomorrow for me to feel like we are friends and our friendship is successful.

Name That Book

So let me ask you, what book would you recommend to me that you have you read… or you are reading (even if you’re reading it slowly)?

And do you think there’s a point when we should give up on a friendship with someone?

I’d love to hear from you. So please comment on this post with your replies.

Author: Allen Chapin

- Christian, husband, dad, friend, leader, author and speaker - Life Purpose = Love & Encourage, Offering Grace & Hope - Life Motto = Living for the applause of nail-scarred hands - Life Verse = Matthew 25:21 View all posts by Allen Chapin