Looking Back....

Well, after more tapings than I can remember and gluing the cover cover back on more than once.... I have faced the inevitable- it is time to get a new Bible.  There's something sort of bittersweet about getting a new Bible. You know what I mean?

On the one hand, its not that big of a deal- after all, the book is merely a means to get know the Author better- He is the One we love. His Words- His amazing way of expressing Himself, speaking to us, to me, through paper and ink- letting us feel the breath of His Words from thousands of years ago. It's wonderful. Amazing. Miraculous. The Word, spoken, written, and preserved for me to read whenever I want.  And that is just as true of a new Bible as an old one. So from that perspective, its just a matter of getting used to where things are in the new Bible.

But on the other hand, its a bit like saying good-bye to a friend. I don't mean the truth in the book- that of course is staying, but I mean the book itself. The pink peeling fake leather cover and and all the bent, smudged, ink stained, pages of that particular book. Is that weird?  But I've had that old Bible seven years. Seven years. God's led through quite a long space of journey with that little pink compass.

I bought it at college because I'd had an accident at camp the previous summer and my Thomson Chain was simply too heavy to haul around to classes at BBC in addition to all my text books. So I reluctantly purchased a new one- slightly cheered by the pretty cover. What a journey God has brought me on since that day- and so often that little pink book has been His way of holding my hand.
College- happy hours in the sun by the pond or under a tree in the woods. Dark hours begging God for wisdom how to help, or for the strength to finish one more day.
Moving to Philly- beside a grave, in a lonely little room, at a new place, and with new friends as God opened my heart.
Off to Training- guiding, steadying, comforting.

Four countries, Three states, and having lived more places than it would possibly do any good to count- that little pink book was one of the primary ways God's been speaking on the crazy journey. And I'm a little sad to see it replaced.  And yet... its a little exciting too. Because seven years ago I would never have believed that God would have me where I am today- looking for people to partner with me to go to Missouri- train missionary kids for overseas and work in a prayer office. And I just can't help but wonder where I'll be the next time I buy a new Bible.