The Bible

Yesterday I got a phone call from my husband.  He said "Guess what I found?"  Of course there was no telling what it was since I can't keep up with anything!  He said "I found Matthew's Bible,"  but I had no memory that it was lost.  Matthew is our youngest and years ago, he lost his bible at our church.  I recalled Matthew saying several years ago, that he had lost it.  He must have been around 9 years old at the time (he is 19 now).  I remembered that we went to the lost and found, security, and the information booth of our church but we did not find it.  We resigned to the idea that it was lost and purchased another one.

When I came home and saw the bible I was so touched.  In his writing, my son had written some things that are dear to his heart.  The bible however looked a bit different from mine.  It had come into the hands of a chaplain who stated that he had used it to perform weddings, funerals and counsel individuals but it was no worse for the wear.

My bible, the same exact type has been on a shelf for years and I have had three others since then.  My bible is bound by clear tape and binder clips.  I use it on occasion but only for reference.  I fear the pages are so fragile they might rip. 

Inside that bible, I have picture stickers of my son in grade school.  I can see his growth through the years.  I have multiple notes and writings, post it notes and stories, important dates, sermons and prayers. I wore that bible out and I was glad to see through my son's bible what mine once looked like.

I love my bible(s) and have a very difficult time when I have to purchase a new one.  I truly believe that it is because I know my bible.  I could tell you what side of the page a portion of scripture was on, what part of the bible you could find it in, what paragraph it was in, where a chapter started and so much more.

Unfortunately,  every time I purchase a new bible, I have to learn that all over again. The way you learn it is by daily spending time in it.  Everyday brings new revelation and every revelation brings you closer to God.

So if you've lost your bible, or you've lost your way...get a new bible because it's never too late to get into the Word of God.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart, that  I may not sin against you.  Psalms 119:9-11 

One day (about ten years ago) this chaplain saw a box with bibles that were going to be given away.  He asked if he could have the maroon one and they said yes.  He used that bible to minister to individuals in the criminal justice system.  He saw the bible had the name Matthew Eller in it but had no idea who this person was.  He stated that one day while on Facebook, he saw that name on one of my posts.  He ran into my husband yesterday and gave him the bible saying "Give that to Dee, she'll know who this guy is." to which my husband responded "He's our youngest son."