Patience Pays Off | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Patience Pays Off | Previous Challenge Entry
By linda simpson
09/06/18
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Patience Pays Off

“I'm so pleased you're reading this. I've been waiting for ages to tell someone.
First I'd better introduce myself. I'm The Good News Bible second cousin to NKJV and NIV, I've a heap of other relatives too. But back to my story then you'll understand why I'm so excited.

I was given to Ruth, a young Christian woman, many years ago. She really loved Jesus so we spent time together every day. She always found what she needed in me. Whether it be praise, comfort, encouragement or direction. I loved to hear her thanks, exclamations and delight as she read the scriptures. Wherever Ruth highlighted it felt like balm on my pages. There are even a few places splattered with tears but once dry they left only little wrinkles. We were companions through marriage, children, and the many ups and downs of life. But I knew her time was coming to an end when her voice became frail and it was hard for her to pick me up. I remember the day when I didn't feel her touch. I was bereft, alone on her bedside table.

The house was silent until one day I heard “What shall we do with Gran's Bible?”
It was Ruth's teenage granddaughter, Mary-Ruth.
“Put it in this box dear, and we'll sort them out later.” said her mother Kate.

So I was stuck in a box with Snoopy's Writing Guide, who kept spouting “It was a dark and stormy night.” Roget's Thesaurus argued it could be “A bleak, blustery, blackness.” (He was fond of alliteration.) Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice and Charles Dickens' Great Expectations argued over which of their movie versions was most accurate. Woman's Weekly Cookbook bickered with Weightwatcher's Guide about recipes and Strong's Concordance couldn't speak. He was exhausted.

Thankfully, it was only a couple of days later when I heard Kate.
“We'll put all Mum's religious books in one box and take them to the cottage. Your Gran loved it there by the sea. Whenever we visit we can think of her spending time with God.”

Thankfully, in my new home I was placed on a shelf next to Ruth's hymn book. She serenaded us with 'Amazing Grace', 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' and others from her huge repertoire. Matthew Henry's Commentaries conducted interesting discussions most evenings. Jeanette Oke's Love Comes Softly Series helped pass the time with heart warming stories and Strong's Concordance became less exhausted.

I did, however, long for human touch and the pleasure of hearing a voice excited about the wonderful promises of God on my pages. Nevertheless, I remembered “Be patient and wait for the Lord to act;”*

Then yesterday it happened. After many months of waiting – finally patience paid off. The voices were back.
“Here we are Mary-Ruth. Isn't it lovely being in your Gran's old bedroom. I'll open the window so you can hear the sea. It's so peaceful and relaxing, would you like to sleep in here during our holiday?”

“Yes, I'd love to Mum it's such a cozy room and I didn't realize Gran had so many books. Oh! there's her Bible. I must have a look.”
“Yes do that dear, I'll just go and start dinner. We'll unpack later.”

I was overwhelmed as her fingers gently took me from the shelf, carefully caressed my cover and turned the pages. As she treasured these moments, we were both reminded of times with 'Gran'.

Later Mary-Ruth took and placed me near her on the dinner table. After 'grace' she asked
“Mum do you think I could keep Gran's Bible?”
“I'm sure she would be very pleased if you did.” Kate answered.
I was so delighted it was hard to stop my pages rustling.

“Do you know why she loved this scripture so much?” asked Mary-Ruth “She's circled it and written it over and over in the front of her Bible. 'I wait eagerly for the Lord's help and in His word I trust.' It's Psalm 130 verse 5.”

“Yes I do. Your Gran was adamant she would only marry the man she knew God sent her. Eventually she married your Grandfather Pastor Paul. They were blissfully happy together serving the Lord until your Grandad died five years ago.”

“How romantic.” said Mary-Ruth “Actually, I've been asking the Lord about a husband so I'm going to claim Gran's scripture.”

Now you know why I'm so thrilled. Like her Gran, Mary-Ruth and I will wait together."

*Psalm 37:7 GNB
(Parts inspired by an email acknowledging an order from a second-hand book company)

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