Dabbling in Non-fiction

I’m driving down the road on my way to the orthodontist with my fourteen-year-old. The book is lying between us and she picks it up. Mind you, I’ve started reading it, but am only 1-2 chapters in. She starts reading from the beginning. I steal it back while she has her braces adjusted, and then she reads it on the way home. And after we get home. And through the entire afternoon and late into the night when I make her close it so she can wake up for driver’s ed the next day. She finished it by lunchtime. And then I got my chance.

I’m addicted to fiction. When there are ten fabulous novels waiting for me to read them, it’s difficult to stray into the realm of non-fiction. But this post documents a departure from my norm.

Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo. Before I read the book, I already believed it. I’ve studied many Biblical references to heaven and I can’t actually remember a time I wasn’t certain I’m going there after I die (or possibly before, but that’s a whole other blog post). This book gave me chills. Made it even more real.

The story is engaging. Fascinating. And it makes you think about everything you ever knew about Heaven. It’s not that it changed my view, but it confirmed several things I thought would probably be true, but didn’t have scripture to back me up.  It also confirmed several things that are in scripture. What’s cool about that, is this  four-year-old boy would not have heard what’s in scripture on those topics. And he couldn’t even read at that time in his life. He told his story to his parents piecemeal, and things he said were exactly what scripture describes.

So I didn’t need proof of Heaven. But it’s way cool to receive confirmation. It’s like making up my own recipe for something and my family loves it. Then, I read in a magazine a similar recipe created by a professional chef. I knew it was good, but when I see it printed in a magazine, I know other people know it’s good.

I highly recommend Heaven Is For Real. There are delightful surprises within. Plus, you get to know a wonderful family and a little boy with a remarkable experience. Don’t avoid it because it’s popular. This one’s popular for a reason. It strikes a chord, and that’s a good thing.

Have you read it? Do you avoid non-fiction? What will induce you to pick up a non-fiction book?