There is a picture hanging in a little nook in my home. It's a picture of my daughter Madison at age 11 and my son Luke age 8, with Daisy and myself walking along a white sand beach in Lanikai. It marks the beginning of our life on the Windward side of Oahu. Every time I look at it, it reminds me of the infamous poem Footprints in the sand.
When I look at that picture, I don't just remember that day and that moment in time. Depending on how I'm feeling, thinking, or sensing, that picture unearths memories for me. And with those memories, a message of hope. You see, I imagine another set of footprints in the sand that day, something I couldn't see; Jesus's prints. I found hope in Him throughout the years following, raising the children by myself. A hope that carried me through the tough times and hope that walked alongside in the happy ones. That's why it is one of my most intimate possessions.
My bible is another one of my most treasured possessions. Almost every page has a date or two on it when I read that passage. Scripture is underlined, highlighted, and marked with hearts. Page corners are dog eared, and there are words smudged from tears that fell onto the page. There is no doubt this little bible is my lifeline to Him. I thought of replacing it, but I'm so glad I didn't. I now find joy and new meaning in its pages as I revisit the moments I've logged in its columns and the prayers I wrote in the margins.
I think L. B. Cowman beautifully captures the meaning of my treasured bible in his November 4th Streams in the Desert entry, "A person who has experienced great difficulties will not be easily parted from her bible. For, over the old and tear-stained pages of her Bible, she has written a journal of her experiences in words that are only visible to her eyes."
Beautiful!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing Word. It is powerful. It breathes life into our day and refreshes our hearts with your love and grace. May we remember that you speak to us through every Word, empowering and encouraging us to move closer to you.
In Jesus's Name, Amen.
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