Leigh Ann Thomas

When I was growing up, my mom had a sacred, non-negotiable house rule that gave me a life-long love of reading. The rule? No idle hands allowed. If your hands are empty, they will be filled with a book or a broom—your choice.

And this girl preferred the book.

Today Leigh Ann Thomas lets us know about her reading life. Share on X

Brilliant in its simplicity, mom’s policy ushered me into magical worlds of fierce dragons and brave knights. For endless hours I pondered the impossible dilemmas of fairytale princesses, and my young heart would swell with wonder over the possibility of finding myself in the same situations.

To add dimension to my reading life, mom would make library visits a priority (we could walk to the tiny town library), and I still remember the thrill of juggling an armful of “new” reads on the return trip home.

As my reading matured, fascinating stories would magically appear on my bedside table, or I would discover them mysteriously laying around the house. Volumes such as The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and countless sweet romances by Grace Livingston Hill. I fed on biographies of brave men and women pioneers and missionaries of the Gospel. I longed to walk beside Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, and Jim and Elisabeth Elliot as they gave their all for the glory of God.

Our family would also gather to read and memorize scripture and this discipline continues to provide strength, hope, and stability in my life today. I’m convinced that my hunger for God’s Word began with our family opening our Bibles together.

Today, as a wife and mom with three grown girls, two sons-in-law, and six grandchildren, I thrill to see my family’s love of reading continue. On visits to each home, it’s not unusual to see stacks of books about science and creation, fairy tale magic, unique birds and other creatures, biographies, Bible adventures, and more. In fact, I recently enjoyed sharing insights with my grandsons about the incomparable detective, Encyclopedia Brown!

After all these years, my mom and I still enjoy sharing our latest reads and recommendations. In fact, when I finish my latest find—a volume of devotional poetry by Ruth Harms Calkin—I’ll pass it along to the most voracious reader I’ve ever known (I wouldn’t want Mom’s hands to be empty 😊).

Have a blessed Holy Season!

Let’s connect: https://www.facebook.com/leigh.nallthomas

 

As a writer and speaker, Leigh Ann Thomas is passionate about encouraging women to seek God’s best. She has penned four books, including Smack-Dab in the Midlife Zone—Inspiration for Women in the Middle, and is a contributing author in 12 books and compilations. As a coach, Leigh Ann offers writers the tools and support to embrace their unique gifts and abilities and to seek God’s heart on their writing journeys.

Co-editor and writer for the Christian women’s site, InTheQuiver.com, Leigh Ann has also contributed to Just18Summers.com, Southern Writers Suite T, Power for Living, Charisma’s Spirit-Led Woman, Arise Daily, Crosswalk, and more. Her work has been recognized by The Selah Awards, The Illumination Book Awards, The AWSA Golden Scrolls, Writer’s Digest, and others. Most importantly, Leigh Ann desires that her work glorify her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Wife, mom, and grammy, you’ll find Leigh Ann on adventure with her sweetheart or daydreaming story plots on the front porch.