Devotionals

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Deuteronomy 4:9
Deuteronomy 6:7


I have been to a couple of funerals lately that have made an impact on my life. They just happened to both be for women. Both families of these women have given the Pastor their mom’s Bible and said, “Here, I think you can find a sermon someplace in her Bible.” The Pastor stated in both cases that the women’s Bibles were tattered, marked in and highlighted in several places. The Pastor found a sermon from their Bibles. One of the ladies had Psalm 46 marked. He also found some poems they had stuck in their Bibles.
That got me to thinking. Do I have a book that says something about me? What does my Bible say about me? I have several Bibles that mean something to me, but do they say something about me? I can honestly say that one Bible I had to retire because of its usage. I had used it for so long the pages were tattered and torn. Some of the pages were even coming loose.
I have my mom’s Bible. After attending these recent funerals, I looked through it. What I found was interesting. On opening it I first saw a praying hands sticker. I am sure every time my mom opened the Bible and saw the praying hands it reminded her to pray. Along with that are some notes she had made at some point in her life. They are penciled in so it is hard to read some of them. As I glanced through mom’s Bible, there were many notes in the side lines, along with several key words underlined. My mom had an article entitled, “For Heaven’s Sake” by Gabriel. It is about which “bridge” to burn and which “bridge” to cross. I came across a picture of three of her grandchildren. She had a poem entitled, “Dust on My Bible” in the pages. I found another poem called, “Footprints.” She had copied a poem called, “Is He Satisfied with Me?” I saw notes about sacrifice, atonement, and God sending His Son Jesus Christ on earth. I saw another note she had called, “three stages of life: salvation, sanctification and glorification.” She had listed all kinds of scripture on the inside back cover. I realized I need to take the time to read the scriptures she has listed. This book tells me (which I already knew) that faith was important to my mom. Living her faith and sharing Christ with others is what it was all about for her.
My mom and these women left a legacy. They left their thoughts, ideas and their faith on these pages for us who have been left behind as an example for us to follow. I know there are some who don’t like to mark in their Bibles or write notes, but I realize down through the years it is those notes and markings that have taught me more than once that what I was reading was important. Some of the markings have been given to me in Pastors’ sermons or Bible studies or through prayer. Often times, friends have shared a scripture with me just when I needed it most. Those markings, readings, and notes are a reflection of who we are and what we believe in.
My mom has been gone twelve years. I can’t always recall every word she said or what all she taught me, but what I can do is go back to her Bible and read those things that were important to her. It is as if she is speaking to me and sharing her little bit of knowledge with me. I think it is important for each of us to pass down to our families and friends those things that were important to us or made an impact on our lives. By doing so we may help the next generation not only know who we were and what we were all about, but also that God was important enough in our lives to mark a passage or write those things that were laid on our hearts.
As I looked at my own Bible, I began to see things similar to my mom’s. I have a poem in the front cover called, “A Woman’s Prayer”. I found these words that I am sure came from God at one point in my life, “maybe part of trusting God is coming to the place where you realize there is nothing you can do for yourself anymore.” There are several scriptures listed. Here is something else I wrote at some point, “Aspire to inspire before you expire.” I have several pages of personal Bible study notes. These are all from the Bible I retired. I have started all over in a new Bible. The one I retired isn’t the only one.
Look in your own Bible. What does it say about you? Are there things you are leaving behind for your children or grandchildren to inherit? Are you leaving a legacy behind for them? If someone was to pick up your Bible, would they know what verses meant the most to you? Would they know what kind of person you were? Better yet, could a Pastor find a sermon in your Bible about you?
Deuteronomy 4:9 tells us, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” What better way to teach your children, grandchildren, and even your great-grandchildren by allowing them to look into your Bible and to share God’s words with them. Deuteronomy 6:7 goes on to say, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Talk about leaving an impression! As I took my mom’s Bible and I saw the poems, the scriptures and the notes she had written; it did have an impression on me. I was impressed with what she found important in her life and how those things affected her life. Our parents won’t always be around. Many fail to leave diaries or blogs about their lives and what was important to them. It is important to leave behind a part of you, and what better way to do it than in your Bible?

I encourage you to think about your Bible. I encourage you to leave behind those scriptures, poems and notes that mean something to you. Go ahead, highlight, underline, and make notes in your Bible. Jot down on the inside cover scripture that has special meaning for you. Remember, as you do so, you are leaving a legacy for your children and your children’s children. And who knows, a Pastor might one day take your Bible and find a sermon that is tailor made just for you.


Prayer:
Thank You for my mom’s legacy. Thank You that I can take her Bible and find her in it. Remind us to take the time daily to read Your word, to underline those things You are teaching us and to take notes when You speak with us through prayer or the Word. May the words You give me and the meditations of my heart be handed down to my children and grandchildren? I pray as they read my Bible they will know the difference You have made in my life and they will strive to follow You always. Help me to speak to them long after I am gone through the Bible passages, notes, and poems that You have shared with me. I love Your Word; help me pass Your Word on to others. Amen.

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