“They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.” 1 Corinthians 7:13
I love my Bible and if you asked my husband he would say that was an understatement. My Bible is worn and falling apart, literally, and has been taped together so many times. But for me this worn out Bible is filled with many tears, conversations, laughter, and love between the Lord and me. It is my security blanket!
About a year or so ago I came across a lady in Lifeway who was helping me with some things and we got to talking about our Bibles. I began telling her how mine was falling apart but as long as I could, I would just keep taping it together. She then mentioned to me about a place they send Bibles like mine to be re-bound and put back together like new. My excitement went through the roof. I was so excited, until she told me it would take 6 weeks to get it back. That, I was not quite prepared for! “SIX WEEKS? Wow that is just a really long time.” I told her. She said, “Well think about and bring it in if you change your mind.”
I got in the car and began to tell Garrett the news, I was fine until I got to the six weeks part, and I lost it. Yes, I cried! Puzzled by my emotion he asked what was wrong and I said “You don’t understand, I cannot be without my Bible for 6 weeks and clear across the country at that.” Of course trying to find a solution he said, “Well why don’t you just get a new one or use one you have at home?” He has not been the only one to tell me that, but, for me that is NOT even an option. Yes there are many good Bibles, but this one, well; it has a lot of mine and Jesus’ conversations in it and it is just…
Anyway, do you know what the greatest thing about all of this is? When we get worn and torn, when we begin to fall to pieces, God does not trade us in for a new one, He gently pieces us back together and stronger at that. God keeps us just the way He made us and by the time our journey ends the patchwork, the stitching placed by the Lord will be so beautiful and will be filled with tears, laughter, and our deepest conversations.
Some of you might have things in your life that are valuable to you and that you would not trade in for a new one. I hope God is that value because to God we are His value. So cling to that promise and find joy in all the trials, in all the brokenness, in all the rips and tares of life, and know that God does not trade you in for a new one. He loves you just the way you are and is right there to patch you up. Let your patches tell the story of God’s love and share it with others.
I am happy to report I have had my Bible re-covered and bound and it is all nice and patched up. And I only had to part from it for two weeks! I even adjusted well to the temporary Bible I used and found it as a blessing to have a spare, being there are so many people who don’t even own a Bible. It challenged and encouraged me to send out Bibles to those around the world and with the help of Brother Tilley I have been able to do just that!
Jesus thank You for patching us together time and time again and for loving us just the way we are. Amen
