It started when I made the commitment to read the Bible through in a year. Previous to that, I’d mostly poked around in God’s word when our pastor brought up scripture that impacted me, or when a Bible study required a look in the good book. So here I was on the Lifeway website signing up to have daily readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs e-mailed to me. The only thing I lacked was this lovely gray and orange Italian Duo-Tone NIV Student Bible. The need was filled (for the sake of my journey), and I was off! Highlighter in hand, I read the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible (well, not exactly). It was an exhilarating journey, an enlightening journey, a not a little overwhelming journey. But I made it through. In fact, around Christmas I started reading ahead and finished the Bible in ten months rather than twelve. With a feeling of accomplishment, I set the page-worn NIV on my bookshelf alongside my “old” Bible.
Now what? There was so much I’d come to understand over the past ten months, and yet there seemed more I didn’t understand. Hmm. Maybe a different translation…? Maybe that bright pink God’s Word Translation that had caught my eye? Yes. Definitely the pink. Once more, the need was filled, but this time I decided to read front to back. A very nice translation, and yet… What about The Message? I ordered it online and it arrived on my doorstep with this really nice messenger bag that I’m certain I’ll find a use for one day. Up on the shelf went The Message to be read once I finished the God’s Word Translation. Then one day I came across this hot pink and lime green, cross-embossed NIV Bible (I know, I already have an NIV, but this one was sooo pretty). Up on the shelf it went, to be read after The Message. And yesterday…
Honestly, I only intended to pick up a copy of Escape From Fred by Brad Whittington (love that series!); however, there was this display of itty bitty Bibles in a Bag, and rather than the $29.99 price tag that had held me in check for the past few months, a special promotion had them priced at only $10! And they came in all these adorable colors. After much consideration (and heavy sighs from my nine-year-old son, Maxen, who kept looking longingly at the door), I chose a lime green and baby blue NIV (I know, I have two others) in a striped lime green and baby blue bag that I can take anywhere. No excuse whatsoever for not having a Bible handy. But just in case…
I waffled. Really, I did, but that special promotion for Bible software was staring me in the face. It’s not inconceivable that one of these days when I’m out and about with my laptop, I might forget my itty bitty Bible in a Bag. And that just wouldn’t do.
Okay, so I have a Bible “thing”. It could be worse. I wouldn’t be able to find books of the Bible without fumbling through the table of contents. While listening to our pastor, I wouldn’t experience that thrill upon hearing a familiar scripture. During prayer, I wouldn’t be able to recall specific promises. I wouldn’t understand God’s plan for my life to the extent I’ve come to understand it. And when our sons ask, “Does the Bible really say that?” I wouldn’t be able to say with confidence, “You better believe it!” Yes, it could be far worse.
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