::my 15 year companion::

Nearly fifteen years ago, I received this Bible from my parents.

It is a NAS Life Application Bible with a faux leather cover and my (maiden) name embossed on the front. (Let’s not talk about my middle name.  We all have one, and most of us dislike it, right?)  I was nineteen when I received this Bible, and it quickly became my most treasured possession.  I had long used a kid’s Bible with pictures, and then a teal (TEAL! It was the 90’s.) slimline NIV that I used all throughout my teenage years. But this was my foray into adulthood, and my parents had gifted me a more adult-like copy of the Scriptures for the next chapter of my life as I was approaching 20 years of age.

For over fourteen years I have used this Bible, marking it well with dates, struggles,  things learned, concepts affirmed.  I can see my theology taking shape when I read the scratchings around certain passages.  I can look through the well-worn Psalms and see date after date after date where particular Psalms were the balm for a broken heart. I look at those dates and I shudder because I know exactly what was going on in my life then, but the healing words of the psalmists printed there were the anchoring foundation for my soul during those times of sorrow, fear, and unbelief.

I heartily support writing in your Bible.

A couple of years ago, Genesis through mid-Judges became detached from the spine.

I am still really sad about this because it is the main reason that I’ve needed to get a new copy.  I didn’t want a new copy!  There is so much memory and growth attached to this particular Bible that I haven’t been able to fathom letting it go.  In fact, I’ve made no effort to look at new Bibles or price one similar to it.  I just didn’t want a replacement.

But, we were recently given a new study Bible–the Holman Christian Study Bible.  My husband, the pastor, has a shelf full of Bibles so he gave this one to me knowing how much I could use a new copy.  It’s hard-backed, which I’m not a crazy about, and it’s stiff and new with absolutely NO WRITING IN IT (of course…because it’s new). I put off using it for a couple of days after receiving it because I just couldn’t let go of my old Bible.  The blank canvas margins of the HCSB felt cold to me.

I had nearly finished studying Colossians this weekend when I finally picked up the new HCSB.  I flipped through it, and was surprised at all the notes and study helps.  At the beginning of each book is a historical timeline that gives a glimpse of what was going on in the world in general as well as what was happening concurrently in other parts of the Bible while the book/epistle/prophecy/Psalm was being written.  Hello, context!  There are some Greek word studies that I think will be interesting and lots of cross-referencing as well.  I began a study of 1 John this morning, and I have to say–the blank margins were kind of inviting as I made new notes and underlines.  I don’t know how long this copy will last me–maybe 15 years?  I will be (*gulp*) almost 50 by then, and it’s a little scary to wonder what kinds of notes and struggles and dates will fill the margins of my new Bible.

But the comfort is in the printed text centered on every page.  Praise God His Word never changes or fails and will withstand every earthly challenge and change.   No matter what my future holds, the Word will still be my anchor, the source of comfort, rebuke, theology-shaping wisdom, counsel, and life-giving gospel truth.

(All pictures courtesy of my favorite striped pajama pants and my red plaid blanket which are both a part of my normal morning study time.  Unpictured [because I drank it all]: necessary coffee.)