The first time I envied someone’s Bible, it was a good thing. I was still new to the high school youth group, still carrying the pristine white King James leather-bound children’s Bible my great-grandmother had given me for my fifth birthday.
His was a Student Bible, with the cover all scratched and beat up, and the corners of the pages curled – because he took it with him everywhere, and not just to church on Sundays. When he flipped through it, I could see all the verses were underlined and highlighted, with notes scribbled in the margins – because he really read it and studied it on his own. I didn’t know anyone under 40 did that.
Though I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t know Jesus, seeing that messy Bible was a huge part of my spiritual awakening as a teenager. I was just beginning to realize that it was time for me to take ownership of my faith, my personal relationship with God. It stirred up within me a hunger for Him and His Word.
It wasn’t long before I’d saved up my babysitting money to purchase a Student Bible of my own – and pretty soon, my Bible was a mess, too. A cherished and much-beloved mess.
As the years went by, it literally fell apart, and I transitioned to other Bibles – other devotional and study Bibles, other translations. And frankly, prettier colors and cover designs.
Lately I realized I’ve been feeling a lot of “Bible envy” again. But this time it hasn’t been such a good thing for me….
And I’ll tell you why —
Today I’m honored to be sharing over at my dear friend Jennifer Dukes Lee‘s place… please click here to keep reading about what I’ve learned through my battles with Bible envy! (Jennifer’s also doing a giveaway for my new book, What Women Should Know About Letting It Go!)
There are still a few hours left to enter our giveaway here — until midnight EST — I’ll be announcing the winners first thing tomorrow! (Click here to read the post with instructions on how to enter.)
