I noticed a peculiar thing today when I opened my Bible. There seems to be a well-worn path, right through the middle!!! Apparently, the Proverbs and Psalms are a popular place?? I noticed marks of many colors, symbols, underlines, dates, a few torn corners, and even a bit of evidence from a spilled beverage. Though I've tried very hard to keep this treasure in good condition, the truth is that things just wear out! ...Especially the things you use the most....
When I was a little girl, I had a friend who lived right next door. She and I played for hours at each other's houses and on each other's swing sets. The walking path that connected my house to hers was well-worn, indeed! I don't know if either of our parents were concerned with the lack of verdure along that side of the yard, but I doubt it would have mattered. Not even a weed could possibly have time to grow where our little sandals traveled so frequently. We loved to spend time together in each other's company. Just seeing that path brought feelings of joy, kindness, encouragement, peace, and love.
The path I found in my Bible this morning brought many of those same feelings. Maybe some of the verses I marked are the same as yours? See if you can finish these verses:
"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of .......""It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings ......""A word fitly spoken is like.......""If your enemy is hungry...... If your enemy is thirsty.......For in doing so........""It is better to dwell in the corner of a housetop than.......""Where there is no wood.....and where there is no talebearer........"
This week, I found myself in the basement of our county courthouse for a jury summons. I sat beside a 76-yr old woman, who passed the time with a little white New Testament Bible. Amid all the out-dated magazines, iPads, smart phones, and the like, this woman read her tattered and worn New Testament. I leaned over to my new friend and said, "That book is worn out, but you won't be." That book was well-worn, just like my childhood path. Just seeing that Bible brought feelings of joy, kindness, encouragement, peace, and love.
Today, I am delighted to see the little path between our home, and the neighbors. It means that something on the other side is worth the journey. The fact that this path has been traveled so often, means that there is a wonderful fellowship on the other side. As I walked home on that path tonight, it occurred to me how grateful I am for it. I encourage you to ask God to show you the well-worn paths in your own lives today. Maybe the path He shows you is not physical, but maybe it's a path you follow with your heart. Maybe it's that path right through the middle of His word!
Either way......Don't let the grass grow under your feet, sister!
