“Books are not altogether impersonal things. Somebody wrote them. Somebody’s lifeblood is in them. Somebody lived, suffered–wept, struggled and toiled–to put into the book that which pleases and helps us. Should we not think of this as we read the sentences which delight us or which inspire and quicken us? Do we often, indeed, give thought to the writer whose written words bring to us their messages? Do we not forget ofttimes that it is somebody’s heart-blood which runs in the sentences we are reading, somebody’s very life, if the words are truly helpful? Do we then owe nothing to the author? Be sure the lessons he is teaching have cost him pain and tears. He had to live deeply to write helpfully. Some recognition of the help we have gotten from him, we certainly owe to him. Should we not write to him our thanks for the gift he has put into our life?”

From In Green Pastures by J. R. Miler

Thanks to reader Sandy Wood who sent this my way.

Let’s use the comment section to publicly thank a writer who has had an impact on your life.