Having been raised in a strong Christian home where we prayed before every meal, attended church services and various meetings as a family throughout the week, and then continued those practices as an adult, I have been strongly influenced by the Bible all of my life.
Just like everyone else, my life had its ups and downs. My beliefs, commitments and determination were tested. Also, like most people, I occasionally stumbled along the way, but I remained devoted to the Lord. Clearly, He was devoted to me.
Then at age 70 I was put to the most severe test of my faith. My husband of 50 years died from a brief illness. None of us in the family saw that coming.
Suddenly I felt as though I was positioned on the handlebars of a fast-moving bicycle of which I had no control but was careening fast toward an unknown future.
I am thankful to be able to say the foundation of Scripture held firm. The reliability of God’s Word was a benevolence to me. In my grief I sought Scripture intensely.
Since there was no one in my house to please except myself, I used a heavy pen to write out many Bible verses on large sheets of paper. Then I hung them in nearly every room with tape or clothes pins, not caring what it looked like. I just wanted to be able to see God’s Words to me in all the places where my eyes tended to focus throughout the day:
the window above the kitchen sink
the bathroom mirrors
outside of the shower stall
inside closets
inside and outside of cabinet doors
the laundry room
at the end of a hall
It has been a little over five years since my husband passed into Heaven. I have since remarried and moved into another house. While I no longer have Scripture clipped and taped all over our home, I do have decorative art pieces scattered throughout the rooms with verses that bless me daily.
The first thing I read every morning and the last thing I read at night is Scripture. I’ve learned to pray those words, making God’s Words my own as I begin and end every day.
I have set the Lord
continually before me;
because He is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8
What a wonderful heart-warming post, Barbara. Thank you so much. Indeed, at our darkest moments God is always with us. Reading Scripture has helped me too many times.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you.
I remember the scripture you hung around your house at the time and what a testimony it was to your blog readers.
ReplyDeleteI have places where I have verse cards set out. I also have a card holder that has phrases of hymns. Right now that card says "In Christ Alone, my Hope is found.
Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you, I will try this, not hanging all over, but put them in places I see each day. I read the scriture very day, but 9 months of 24/7 caregiving of my husband has me seeking mental help from my doctor, even though I pray and pray and read and read...
ReplyDeleteA very powerful post. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete