A bad habit gone good
October 28th, 2004 at 9:10 pm (clanMcGraw.com)
I am a procrastinator. This should be evident in the fact that the story I’m about to tell occurred yesterday, yet I’m only blogging it now. Anyways, I sometimes believe that I am the world’s worst at putting things off. But if you need proof that God can take even our worst personality traits, and somehow receive glory from it, this story is for you.
I bought a Bible. It was a NASB, Life Application Study Bible, covered in black bonded leather. I bought it online, at Barnes and Noble.com. It was great, except for the fact that when I received it, the corner was slightly damaged. Nothing horrible, but enough that I called B&N for a replacement. When I spoke to the guy on the phone, he apologized, and offered me a 50% discount on the Bible. I told him no, that I wanted a new one. He then arranged to ship me out a new one, and told me that I was getting the discount anyway. When I asked him for return information, something strange happened… He said not to worry about it. I could send it back if I wanted to, but if not, that was fine too.
That was odd, but okay. I put the Bible in the back of my car, intending to drop it off at UPS. But I never did.
Fast forward to yesterday. Walking into Church, I suddenly remembered the Bible in the back of my car. I decided to take it into the Church library, and donate it there. I figured it might make a nice addition to the Bible research shelf, or something. When I walked in, I asked our librarian, Brenda, if I could get her to add it to the library.
“You could,” she said hesitantly, “or I’ve got a better idea. I’m putting together a box of Bibles and books for our mission trip to Tchula, Mississippi. Would you mind adding to that pile? I’m sure that it would go to much better use there.”
I agreed. When she saw the kind of Bible I’d brought in, I honestly think she was surprised at how nice it was. She said that she’d make sure the Pastor of the Tchula church would make sure it got to just the person that needed it.
Cool, huh? What were the odds that I’d want to donate a Bible on the very night she was boxing up Bibles and books for a mission trip??
But wait, there’s more.
Our Church started a program called “Discovering God’s Word”. As a Church, we read through the Bible together over almost a 2 year period. Before we started it, our Pastor suggested that everyone buy a new Bible to use for their reading. Hunter Street started selling the NIV Life Application Study Bibles as a suggested Bible. Being the cheapskate frugal guy that I am, and a fan of the NASB over the NIV, I bought my Bible online at a slightly better price. The Bible that I received through my online purchase is, of course, the Bible in question.
I bought that Bible in December 2000.
Yep, I rode that Bible around in at least 2 cars for almost 4 years. It’s been to different states, at the mechanics shop, and even our Hunting club. But I just never managed to think about dropping it in the mail, or giving it away.
Until yesterday. Coincidence?? I think not.
Of course, I won’t know until the other side of heaven what’s going to become of that Bible. But one day, I’d like to meet the person who’s going to receive it, and find out what God was doing in their lives when He decided that it was time for me fulfill His purpose. It’s also quite humbling to me to know that there’s a God in Heaven who, 4 years ago, caused a little bit of shipping damage to a Bible, knowing that one day - 4 years later!! - another person was going to need it.
If He can count the hairs on my head (not really a big challenge!!) - if He knows when a Sparrow falls - if He knows the minute details of every moment of my life - He knew that you would be reading this today. And just what does that mean?
That, my friend, is between you and Him.
