For all my love of reading, I am fairly slack when it comes to instructions. I usually try using my own limited practical know-how, before bothering to follow those line drawings or reading the steps written in creative English! As to manuals, such as come with washing machines or dishwashers, still in plastic; anyone knows how to operate one of those…as for car manuals!?

   I had my previous car for three years before I discovered I had volume controls for the radio on the steering wheel! My current car keeps reminding me to read the manual, yes it does! I wish it would answer questions instead! A four wheeled version of Siri.

   So it may surprise you that I wax lyrical over a book which has just come out, which is sort of like a manual; it explains how things work, and suggests appropriate care. It is a book, as the title above suggests, about our body!. The Body, A Guide for Occupants written by Bill Bryson.  In his own amicable yet incisive style Bryson offers amazing information and insights about the body we have. For most of us it is a fairly old model, but that does not detract from the wonder of it!

   A few weeks ago we had the Psalmist praise God with 

For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works  (Ps. 139).

This book highlights the wonders of this Godly knitting! It also informs us about how self-destructive humanity can be about itself. If you are thinking of a Christmas treat, if you need an excuse, think of this book! Or get your local library to order it in. We take our bodies for granted; this book will blow your mind about ourselves!    

Louis van Laar