Today I caught sight of my Bible, tucked into the messiness of life. Seeing it there made me smile. It's not tucked away in a drawer or high up on a shelf. My Bible is right in the middle of everything.
God's Holy Word next to the paper and pens, markers and crayons, the projects of my everyday. I keep my Bible close at hand–in the busiest room of the house–because I need it.
When I open my Bible, it's like opening a scrapbook of my life. There are underlined and dated verses, tear stains, well-worn pages, notes. I received this Bible as a gift for my 18th birthday. One of the first verses I underlined was Hosea 6:3. I was making plans for college and this verse encouraged me to prioritize my walk with God:
"So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to use like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth."
A few days later, Matt gave me a birthday card with the same verse written inside. There was no way he could have known how special Hosea 6:3 was to me. I hadn't spoken to anyone about it.
The moment I opened his card and saw the verse I started screaming (did I mention I was 18?). I ran into my mom's room and announced:
"MOM! I'M GOING TO MARRY MATT!"
My mom just nodded and smiled. At that time, Matt and I were only casual friends. Or so I thought. Matt later told me he already knew he wanted to marry me, he just had to wait for me to grow up a little (ie. tone down the screaming).
Two years later, on my 20th birthday, Matt asked me to marry him.
Yep, my red Bible has been through a lot with me. It's started to look a little worse for wear. Some of the pages are falling out now. The binding is loose and child scribbles decorate the front cover. But I don't mind.
This is my Bible. The Lord has comforted, encouraged, chastened, loved, taught and strengthened me through my reading of it. It's seen me through 11.5 years of marriage, 5 children and 6 moves.
I hope it holds together for the next 50 years. I have more underlining to do.
