“Be sure to flip through the pages of every Bible you find. People often stash cash in there.”
I did find cash. The largest bill I found was a fifty. I don’t know if the owner used it as a unique bookmark or if it just never made it to the offering plate.
Marion Shurtleff of San Clemente, California, made a much more startling discovery in a used Bible she purchased. She found an essay she had written 65 years earlier when she was a 10-year-old Girl Scout in Covington, Kentucky. “I opened the Bible and there was my name,” Shurtleff said. “I recognized my handwriting. I was shaking, literally.”
That would be a stunning discovery, absolutely “shake-worthy.” But believe it or not, I recently made an even more amazing discovery in my Bible. It happened during a team-building exercise this summer in Romania. Our mission team stood in a circle and leaders Becca and Kelsea chose one person to stand in the center. Then each team member took a turn speaking encouragement and blessing to the person in the middle.
That evening Lauren was chosen as the focus of our encouraging words. Earlier in the week she had courageously shared her powerful testimony in a village church. It was obvious that Lauren’s words brought hope to those who listened. Now she
stood in the center of our circle. When my turn came, I said, “Lauren, I found you in the Bible! Right here you are: Praise be to the God and Father of Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in trouble with the same comfort we ourselves receive from God (2 Corinthian 1:3, 4).
I saw in Lauren the beautiful flow described in these Bible verses: God had comforted her during an extremely challenging season. The story could have ended there, but it didn’t. Lauren shared her testimony, and as she did, God’s comfort continued its flow through her and into the lives of those who heard.
Some people find old letters or forgotten cash in Bibles. But I found a person, a young woman whose life beautifully illustrates a passage in the Bible. How absolutely spectacular to see Scripture sprout legs and walk off the pages of the Bible in the form of a believer named Lauren.
Praise be to the God of all comfort, who comforted Lauren in all her troubles, so that she could comfort those in trouble with the same comfort Lauren herself received from God.
Hi Kim! And they say there is no value in the Bible? Hah! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely thing to say to Lauren, and so encouraging for her. Love the way you wrote that the Bible sprouted legs...great image! You have such an honored way to serve and be served in your mission trips. Thank you for sharing that with all of us.
From A Little R and R,
Ceil
Thank you so much for reading this and leaving such encouraging comments, Ceil! I learn so much during my trips to Romania, but Lauren and the college students from William Jessup University taught me TONS! :) Hey! I found YOU in the Bible, Ceil! "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as in fact you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Deleteoh, I like this! I also like flipping through somebody's Bible to see what they underlined or wrote a note beside. It tells a lot about a person. One possession of my father's that I wanted after he died was his Bible. I'm so glad to have all his scribbles in the margins.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I agree that what a person underlines or highlights is wonderful to discover, especially when it is someone we dearly love. And scribbles in the margins are precious! Thank you for taking time to read my post today and leave comments. God bless you BIG!
DeleteI love this, Kim. So many good thoughts in it. Even thinking about why we might hide money in our Bibles. I once bought a Bible at a garage sale and found a Confederate $20 bill in it. I took it back to the owner, who was thankful not to have sold it for a mere $3, and you know me well enough to know it's not something I would value anyway. : )
ReplyDeleteAfter flipping the pages of so many Bibles while setting up for estate sales, I do believe that some people use their Bible as a spare file cabinet! I found photos, tissues, gum, four leaf clovers and locks of hair! So money seems rather tame! Yes, I do know that you would not have thought much of the money you found! Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting.
DeleteI pray that when I stand before the Father He will be able to say, "I found you in my Word".....and "I also found my Word in you." Thanks so much for sharing this inspiring post!
ReplyDeleteAudrey, I love what you wrote, and I pray the same may be true in my life! Thank you for reading and leaving such an inspiring comment!
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteYou gave Lauren a great gift. When we speak words of truth and vision into people, they are affirmed, encouraged, and empowered. Sounds like you were both blessed by this encounter. And I was too, as I read your story. Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Lori, for reading and leaving such encouraging comments! The longer I live the more I understand the power of speaking life into people... And yes, it was a boomerang blessing: I was abundantly blessed, too!
DeleteYou are such an encouraging soul! Every time I visit here I am uplifted and I can see that everywhere you go you brighten lives. Blessings to you for the work you do! We were missionaries in Latvia and Estonia for a year and a half and had to come home for health reasons for a while. We are getting ready to go back in September for three weeks and who knows what God will do from there...for now it seems His plan is for us to travel and share His ministry here in the States. But you never know...I love reading of your adventures!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of encouragement, NANNETTE, I think you "qualify" BIG time :) Your comments speak life in to my soul and encourage me to joyfully serve Jesus all the more! I will pray for you regarding the path God has for you, and for your health, and that you will "know in your know-er" what His perfect way is! Thank you for visiting and leaving such encouraging comments! And if you ever want to subscribe to my blog, you won't miss any of the adventures! :) God bless you!!
DeleteWhat a wonderful story! I love the power of Scripture!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at Essential Fridays. Blessings.
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
Mel, thank you for coming, reading, and commenting! I agree: I love the power of Scripture! May the God of the Bible bless you abundantly!
DeleteSuch a beautiful story,Kim. I always enjoy stopping by and listening to your enthusiastic stories. Thanks for linking up with WholeHearted Home this week.
ReplyDeleteJudith, I found you in the Bible: 1 Thessalonians 5:11: you are an amazing ENCOURAGER! God bless you!
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