Genesis went flying to the floor . . . literally. It came unglued, unhinged from its binding and cascaded to the ground a few weeks ago while I was walking down the hallway. I knew it was loose, knew it wouldn’t be long before I would have to give attention to its permanency. The cover holding it all together—the entirety of God’s Word—had long since lost its luster. My Bible desperately needed a make-over, but I kept hoping for “later” rather than “sooner.” It kept telling me “sooner” rather than “later,” and when Genesis fell to the floor, I made the decision to fix the problem.
After all, what good is the story—my story—when the beginning is omitted? When Genesis goes missing, so goes understanding. Life, faith, and truth must be worked out within the framework of Genesis—our beginning days when the Word hovered over the dark and the deep and spoke words of gracious and good creation. We need the witness of our beginning. No life story is complete without it. With this in mind, I carefully packed my “Genesis,” along with the remaining balance of Scripture, and sent my beloved Bible to Burrows, IN. Apparently, the Word is alive and active in Burrows, and there are some wonderful folks at Leonard’s Books more than willing to make sure that my beginning stays intact.
I am grateful for their handiwork. Yes, I could have purchased another Bible, perhaps a couple for the price that I paid to have it restored, but they wouldn’t be able to replace this one. Why? Because it is this Bible, the one I purchased eight years ago, that has literally transformed my heart. This Bible and I have some longevity with one another; I plan on it walking with me the rest of the journey home. Having my beginning in hand makes my ending that much sweeter.
So, a question or two. What do you do when your beginning—your “Genesis”—falls to the ground, separates itself from the rest of the pages of your story? Do you leave it there unattended? Do you tuck it away in a drawer with good intentions to graft it back in at a later date? Do you cast it aside, deem it unnecessary and discard it along with yesterday’s trash? Do you stuff it back inside the covers of your story with hopes that it will stay . . . all on its own, without glue, without hinge?
Sometimes, our stories take a hit or two. Sometimes our “Genesis” falls to the ground. We lose our compass and stray far from God’s intended path. We foolishly make assumptions regarding the “fix” thereby postponing understanding. We patch, paste, and carelessly cram God’s Word together, hoping it will be enough to carry us through to the finish. But patching, pasting, and cramming leave the door open for neglect—for misplaced pages, fallen chapters, and lost beginnings. When we forsake the entirety of God’s Word, when we pick and choose what stays and what gets left behind, we’ve lost some of our story. And to lose our story, friends, is to lose the purpose of our lives.
How much better would it be if we carefully and willingly picked up the missing pages of our stories and sent them to God for the rebinding? He is the glue who holds our pages together, who scripts our lives from beginning to end, and who promises to make them all count . . . every last word of this great adventure called life.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning (John 1:1-2).
He is with us still—our “sooner” rather than “later.” I don’t know about you, but I could certainly use some soul-rebinding right now . . . there’s something missing in my life, a few pages that have been lost along the way. Even as I am willing to send off my Bible for repair, I pray for a heart that is willing to do the same. Maybe you understand; maybe this post is for you.
May the tender, gracious hands of the Father rest upon you and lovingly rebind your story to his this day. May the truth that you hold in your heart be the same truth that he holds in his, and may his covering be the strength that binds all the pages of your story together and that carries you safely home to heaven. As always . . .
Peace for the journey,
“Sometimes, our stories take a hit or two.”
Yep.
I need a few days alone in His workshop!
Love how you compared God to the one doing the binding — or rebinding. He indeed is the glue — and everything else.
p.s. I got a new Bible for Christmas. Never occurred to me to have my old one rebound. Darn! 🙂
I’m all for new Bibles! I just couldn’t let this one go. My kids are now debating who’s going to get it once I’m gone.
I love the way you weave words Elaine. You take a thought and make it go in so many directions, and lace it all together with such clarity, and it never fails to challenge me.
As to the small church attendance… I think of that when I think of you and Billy, and so many others who are out there faithfully doing what God has called them to. The one who is always in your church is seeing all of it, and how He loves the faithful obedience and service of his children! Keep after it…
So profound and thought-provoking. Wow
wifeforthejourney:
I think most of us have heard people say that the best state for our Bible’s to be in is falling apart from use. Certainly your Bible bore the witness of it’s excessive handling.
I remember my own favorite Bible’s rebinding back in 1994. The little lady I found in central KY explained how the days of books being stiched together were long gone; that hardbacks and paperbacks alike are just held together with glue. How lovingly she restored the Bible I had been reading since I got saved in 1986, and how it still endures today. Those few artisans who have the skill and the equipment to put Bible’s back together are to be commended and are certainly worth the money they earn. I think your own Bible’s new cover and re-binding turned out beautifully.
May we be as willing to trust God with our lives when our hearts and lives need to be restored! Love you,
~ Billy
I just love it when life (the Lord) serves up such a compelling message. Beginnings, and the many new beginnings that follow it are what makes us, us.
I know you are as grateful as am I for beginnings. Birthed with love, nurtured by kind, steadying hands & launched with both joy & trepidation, what would our beginnings be if not for our father’s (and Father’s) love?
Lovely post.
P.S. I just keep buying new bibles 🙂
I just love the smell of a new Bible; mine feels brand new! While it was away, I cracked open my ESV. I hadn’t really used it very much. It now feels like a friend to me as well.
Your words always bring comfort. Needed it today. While the pages of my life seem to be falling apart, I know the Binder is not. Thanks, Elaine. Love you.
I hear you, friend. I am very sensitive to the stretching that’s taking place in your heart. It’s been happening in mine as well. You are a faithful child of the King, and I know that you’ll walk this through to victory. You are not alone. You are loved!
Your words always bless me, thanks.
There’s a Church sign on the way to our house from just about anywhere we go and come and it reads: “A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” That’s you my Friend. A little frayed and loose at the joints from time to time but still beautifully held together!
This is an excellent and comforting post!! So glad I was privileged to stop by and read. Thank you.
Privileged to have you stop by, Kathie, and allow me a few minutes of your day. Your time is a gift to me. I pray you always find encouragement here.
Another analogy home run, Elaine!
A couple of Sundays ago I celebrated my “birth”day into the family of God…it’s been many years…and I am sad to say my handling of my Genesis has been at times along the line of the “fixes” you mentioned…the past 5 years have been an intensive soul-rebinding for me, but just as the craftsmen that repaired your Bible…my Master Craftsman lovingly repairs me…
My heart is blessed this morning after visiting here!
You have such a way with words, if I could write like you!
I love my Bible. I have had it now for over 28 years. So much life has transpired; two more babies, two more moves, many friendships, a few pastors, Bible studies. Also my “book” has taken me through difficult times; sick children, hurt friendships, a church split, a broken heart, cancer.
I, too, considered buying a new Bible but I can’t! This is my old, old friend and my story is written across it’s pages. Sometimes I wonder, if I was to pass on to eternity and my children looked through my Bible what would they see? What would they read? Is my legacy held within it’s binding?
My Bible is now held together with brown electric tape. (brown matches the cover, you see) Recently, I added more electric tape but I didn’t do a very good job and the tape isn’t holding as it should.
What is the address of this rebinder? How long did it take? Maybe I should send my friend there, too, so that our quiet relationship can go on until, indeed, the Lord says, “Come.”
Thank you, Elaine! Wonderful post!
Cyndi
http://advocateofhope.wordpress.com
There’s a link in this post, Cyndi, to Leonard’s Books. They’re in Indiana. It took about 4 weeks from start to finish. There is a lot of range with what they can do, and the cost can be pricey (depending on what you want done). But it’s worth it!!!!!! Click on their link or give them a call. They are a nice, small operation–a Jesus lovin’ couple keeping all our “beginnings” held together! Hope this helps.
My Genesis began with God and my mother, who gave physical birth to me. This week I have witnessed her sad mental demise and the unforeseen ways Dementia can wreck havoc on those around her. The week has been heartbreaking and exhausting, and the only thing I can do is be there for her and release her to God.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
Prayers are with you, friend, as you walk through these difficult days of release and uncertainty. Be certain of this . . . I love you and am carrying you to our Father in prayer. Shalom.
Thank you Elaine, your words are always a blessing to me, whenever I come here. Lori