Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, July 27, 2025
My first thought was, “How heartwarming!” Even though his baseball and mitt are close beside him, this boy is captivated by a book! It must be a really good book. Somehow it has drawn him in, and held his attention. He probably found himself in the book. Maybe he identifies with the main character, someone who triumphed over all sorts of challenges!
I took photos from several angles, grateful again for digital photography, not needing to worry about “wasting” film.
Then I stepped closer and bent down to see what was inscribed on the plaque in front of the boy, expecting to find the sculptor’s name and date. And they were there: “Artist: M. Pettigrew, 2002.”
But something else was there, too – the sculpture had a title: “Homework Comes First.”
What??? So much for heartwarming. My vision of a young boy postponing the pleasures of baseball for the enchantment of reading vanished. A bubble burst. I had misread the sculpture.
But perhaps I could be forgiven, because this boy and his book and ball and mitt were sitting outside a public library. I remember my hometown library as a wonderful (literally full of wonders) home away from home, not a place to do homework. So I thought it reasonable to consider this sculpture a celebration of reading for pleasure.
I look at life through eyes that have always loved to read. I remember how often I’ve found myself in a book. I was Anne of Green Gables, fond of nature, looking for kindred spirits, and full of fanciful ideas. I was Jo in Little Women, keen on writing (although I didn’t understand how she could choose Professor Bhaer over Laurie). I was Cherry Ames, student nurse, ignoring the fact that I was queasy around blood and broken bones.
As I grew older, and more familiar with my Bible, I found myself in this Book, too. I wept and grieved with Eve. I played my tambourine in thankful song with Miriam. I was David with 5 smooth stones (and a big lump in my throat which he seemed not to have, as he voiced such mighty confidence in his God.) I was Prime Minister Joseph, warily testing my unaware brothers who had sold me into slavery.
I wanted to find myself in Esther, and Daniel, but these two were too brave for me to see myself reflected in their stories. But I wanted to be like them when I grew up!
Best of all, I found myself in the stories of Jesus. I was there when He called for the little children to come to Him, and held them in His arms. I watched Him bless the boy’s simple lunch, and I chewed on the fish and bread that miraculously multiplied in answer to His prayer. I witnessed miracle after miracle as He healed those who were fevered, blind, deaf, lame, leprous – and even dead.
I couldn’t understand why the religious leaders hated Him and hunted Him down, calling Him a criminal when I couldn’t see any crimes. Even the Roman governor said he found no fault in Him. So why did he order Him to be flogged, and then hand Him over to be crucified?
The gospel song asks, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” I was. “Were you there when He rose up from the dead?” Yes, I was there, too.
I still find myself in the Book. In Romans 3:23:
. . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . . .
And in John 3:16:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
I’m in the “all” and I’m in the “whoever”!
And so are you.
As we step out into this brand-new week, may we also find ourselves in Philippians 4:13:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.