Yep… that’s what I was doing while attending church yesterday.
(Just to give you a little background: This past weekend, my daughter and I were out of town for a special reception. We were not flying home until Sunday afternoon, so we were able to go to church with a group of friends in the morning.)
Okay, back to the story…
It came to the part of the service where we, as a congregation, read the section of Scripture that the pastor was going to be preaching on later in the hour. I realized that one of my Spanish-speaking friends, whom we were sitting with, was not able to follow along because it was an English-speaking service. Since I had my parallel, bilingual Bible (one side of each page is in Spanish and the other side of each page is in English) with me, I decided to hand it to him to use and read from. My friend is not a Christian (YET!) so I wanted to be sure that he had the opportunity to, at the very least, read the word of the Lord.
And that’s when the debate began.
All of a sudden, I felt God asking me to give my Bible to my friend as a gift. God wanted me to just hand over my very special, very personal Bible to him. Obviously God did not realize this particular Bible was the one that held so many memories. This was the one that I bought the year before we moved to Chile so that I could do two things at once: learn Spanish and read His Word at the same time. This was the Bible that was by my side through every moment of my life in Chile. This was the Bible that gave me such peace in those difficult moments of learning a new language – of sitting in the many Spanish-speaking services and allowing me to, at the very least, understand the passage of Scripture which was being preached about because I could read it in English. This was the Bible that was used during church services time and time again by those Chilean friends that did not have a Bible of their own. I can still see their faces and picture their precious hands holding onto it.
This was the Bible that had so many of my notes from past sermons… so many memories.
Sitting there in the church pew, the whole debate was really throwing me for a loop because, as some of you may know, I am not a very sentimental person when it comes to things. I am not one that is emotionally attached to many personal items.
And that’s when I knew I was being ridiculous. God graciously, yet strongly, convicted me right there in that pew by whispering to me, “It’s not the Bible, Kristin, that has been with you and given you all those memories and opportunities – it has been ME. Share my words.”
That is all I needed to hear. No longer was it the precious, leather-bound, parallel Bible full of memories. Instantly, it became so much more – it became the necessary food that my friend so desperately needs in his life. At that point, I turned to him and whispered, “I want to give you this Bible, (friend). Please use it and read it.”
I am praying for my friend and am so glad I had the privilege of giving him God’s Word. May it penetrate every part of him. May his heart be softened, and may he realize the true Joy that he can possess in his life.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Your turn to share: Please tell us about the latest time you have had an opportunity to share God’s word with someone – maybe it was sharing a specific verse or even a life application. (When sharing your story, please just use “friend” instead of a specific name(s). Thanks.)
September 15, 2008 at 10:01 am
I feel the burdon a lot at work especially when the angel of death is in the room. I always ask if the family knows where the person is going and suprisingly, they say yes, they were saved. I always tell them that hearing is the last sense to go and that they should tell them it is ok to go on to see Jesus face. I have had patients hang on for days waiting for a family member to assure them that whatever their worry is will be taken care of. Sometimes I have to be firm with the family and tell them that they had better go in there and tell that loved one they WILL take care of it. Usually it is over another lost son or daughter, that that mother has fretted over for years. Usually they pass within the hour when they know their time here on earth is complete and will be carried on by another. The angel usually waits the goodbyes. I try and comfort the family after and assure them that when you know that you will see them again it can comfort them. I have never been used to pray with anyone yet at work, however I know I have planted seeds. I love Hospice work. I am not a hospice nurse but would love to be. It is not easy to let a loved one pass, especailly when you aare unsure of their eternity. I alswo work with a Jewish woman who does not belive In Jesus Christ. I have been praying for her and have tried to be a testimony to her. Char
September 15, 2008 at 10:10 am
I don’t have a story right this minute, but wanted to at least say that your struggle with giving the Bible away happens often in our lives and you do feel the nudge of The Lord. You end up feeling worse if you don’t listen to that nudge! God Bless! Miss You! Lynn =)
September 15, 2008 at 10:16 am
Kristen:
Thanks for the reminder that it is God who provides the memories, not “things”. I’ve had my share of fighting with God, but in the end, there’s no peace unless you heed his voice…that I’ve learned. We often view our possessions are just that…ours. And they are not really ours, but on loan from God. This can include our children. I’m learning how to let go as they enter adulthood…and I’m not always too good at it!
September 15, 2008 at 12:45 pm
I have been able to share the good news with the Pre-K children at Northgate. I will tie it in with EVERY lesson that I teach now, so that it is not just a story to them, but the wonderful message of eternal life at the same time.
I worry sometimes and hope that I have worded things right so that they will understand. It’s amazing what the children know though because their hearts are so open.
Chad and I are praying that our son Troy will come to know the Lord this year. He is 5 and in Kindergarten. He just started kidsjam and is loving it! Chad and I are trying to work on our own spiritual lives so that we can be an example to our children. Thank you for sharing this story!
September 17, 2008 at 9:48 am
Chad has been witnessing to a couple coworkers. I have become friends with one of the ladies, who is now a “baby Christian”. I have shared a Nicol Sponburg cd with her and now she is asking about devotionals. Our families are getting together this weekend and we plan on giving them a couples devotional that we have used, and kid’s one for their son. It’s so exciting!
September 21, 2008 at 8:09 pm
As I read your question asking us about the last time we shared a word of Scripture with someone, I thought to myself, “How do I go about sharing a particular word of scripture with a family member that is burning in my heart, while still respecting boundaries and not being over-bearing?” As I was musing about this all day, I of course concluded that I needed to simply talk to God about my issues and desires and anxieties and see what would develop. That very evening a conversation (initiated by the other person) presented the opportunity to share that very scripture. It was such an encouragement to me, in more ways than one. A reminder that God is in control and simply wants me to trust Him for those we love so dearly. Your questions keep me thinking, Kristin:-).
September 23, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I recently sent a New Testament to a family member who had been on my heart along with the back of a recent church bulletin that said some things I felt God wanted me to share. As of today, I’m not sure how it was rec’d but I know God does. I hope my small twinkling light will cause God’s glory to shine in a moment when most needed.
September 9, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I think sometimes God has us give something away for the other person’s benefit – and sometimes it’s for our benefit…reminding us that things in this life won’t last forever so not to hold them too tightly. Often, I think it’s a mix of the both that happens (they are blessed and we receive a blessing by letting go). Thanks for the post. It was encouraging to me today.