Sunday, June 28, 2020

Heritage of Family Bibles

Bible for Grandbaby, with lace hem tape for bookmarks, at Mrs. White's Home.


My father was often seen reading his Bible.  He would be in the recliner with a nearby lamp to brighten the text as he read.  I would also see him sitting at a desk as he studied the Scriptures.  I will always remember that about him. When we children were young, he gave each of us a Bible of our own, with our name inscribed on the cover.  It is a cherished possession that I still have all these many years later.

When my own five children were little, they were each given Bibles once they were old enough to read.   I would gather them around me, after saying, "go get your Bibles."  Each had their own and took turns reading.  We also had hymn books to sing from.  This was daily worship or family Bible time.  It was a little church in our home.

Now that I am a grandmother of eleven, I have the same opportunity to share my love of the old family Bible.  The babies see our Bibles here at home.  They want to take down a copy and settle on the couch to read.  A couple of years ago, when one of the boys started Kindergarten, he wanted to borrow my Bible.  I said it was time for me to order one for him to keep for his own.  A few weeks later, when it arrived in the mail, he was so happy and thankful.  It is a traditional black Bible. He reads it each day and loves it.

Last year, one of the grand - girls entered Kindergarten.  Some weeks ago, she asked me something like, "Do you remember when you gave a Bible to my brother?"   I knew she wanted her own copy.  I love these precious opportunities to share something that I cherish. I like to wait until they show an interest. I want to know they are ready.  I quickly ordered a pink one this time.  It is a "gift and award" KJV Bible from Hendrickson publishers. (They cost about $5 each.)

I handed this very special book to my little grand-girl.  She is a new reader and will take her time with the words inside.  I showed her the index and how to find the page where the Psalms could be found.  We turned the pages to Psalm 117.   I told her it was a special chapter that her Mother used to read to me all the time.  Then I wanted to save the page for her, but the Bible does not have a ribbon book marker.

Grand-girl and I took a quick look inside my sewing box. We found a little package of white lace hem material.  We cut out a couple of pieces. I told her, "These will be your book marks.  You can keep one on the page for Psalm 117.  The other book mark is for any special page you want."  She was so happy and proud of her new treasure.

The other day, the Mother of these dear children told me that they sit and read their Bibles together.  These are the same, sweet grandbabies that have gone to church with me a few times when they were younger.  I would give them tiny baby Bibles of blue and pink. One for each child to hold as we sat in the pew of church.  I remember them being so sweet and respectful. They were so well behaved at having the privilege of getting all dressed up and going to church with grandmother.

There is a beautiful Christian heritage of owning Bibles in the home.  This legacy of reading and cherishing the Word of God is such a blessing to the family.  It is something little ones should remember about Mother and Dad.  They should remember this about Grandmother and Grandfather. The love of the Bible ought to be passed on throughout the generations.  This can be done by example and by just catching that sweet spirit of seeing such joy and peace in reading the old family Bible.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -


Always Remember this - The House Comes First.

Wisdom from Colonial Days - To Earn and Not to Spend.

A Blessing in Hard Times - Peaceful Homemaking







Mrs. White's special book for homemakers:"Introduction to Home Economics:  Gentle Instruction to Find Joy in Christian Homemaking."

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 Paperback, 200 pages. 









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11 comments:

Judy said...

When each of our 16 grandchildren were born, we gave them a stuffed an
imal and a little New Testament.

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

You described a truly wonderful thing my dear. Thank you.

Joyful said...

It's wonderful that the practice of owning a Bible and reading it together has been practised through the generations in your family. It is a good heritage.

Mama Said No said...

Wonderful post!

My son is an adult with special needs. He can't read, but he knows that the Bible is special. He will pat it at times and say "Bible". Many years ago I was going through a very difficult time, and I spent a lot of time crying and depressed. I guess he had enough of it, because one day he came to me, shoved it into my hands and said very firmly, "BIBLE!" I hadn't been in God's Word during this time, preferring the company of my self pity. He knew that when I spent time in God's Word that I was happier.

SIRVIENDO AL SEÑOR said...

QUE BUENO SABER DE USTED NUEVAMENTE SHARON, HA PASADO UN LARGO TIEMPO DESDE SU ULTIMO MENSAJE, ESPERO QUE TODOS ESTEN BIEN Y CUIDANDOSE MUCHO DEL VIRUS. EN CASA TENEMOS BIBLIAS Y LAS LEEMOS JUNTOS CADA SEMANA EN NUESTRA REUNION BIBLICA AQUI,EN CASA, TENGO 3 HIJOS DISCAPACITADOS QUE NO SABEN LEER NI ESCRIBIR, PERO CUANDO LEEO YO O MI MARIDO LA BIBLIA, PRESTAN MUCHO ATENCION, ME ENCANTA CUANDO DICEN JESUS¡¡¡ ELLOS SABEN QUE E,L ES EL BUEN PASTOR Y QUE LOS CUIDA DE TODO MAL.¿PUEDE PASAR POR MI BLOG? MUCHAS GRACIAS Y NUEVAMENTE ME ALEGRO DE SABER DE USTED. BENDICIONES.

Elizabethd said...

A delightful post, thank you.
I still have my Grandmother's Bible and treasure it. It's so meaningful to think of her hands holding it, she is with me in a way.

Homemaker's Heart said...

That is a wonderful idea. My grandchildren are still learning to read except one, she is already reading. I appreciate the idea of a ribbon from your sewing box too, I think the girls would like that.

Deborah Montgomery said...

This is a lovely post Mrs. White, and such a blessing to see one's grandchildren being nurtured in the faith.

Amelia said...

So beautiful Mrs. White. I have my Daddy's little black Bible in my showcase in my living room with his little boy wire frame reading glasses along with my other treasures...I also have my real Grandma Amelia's Moody Bible study book with her white cotton fabric markers still in it even underlined. I was named after her...My Daddy's mother.

I can't tell you what a joy you are Mrs. White. Thank you for sharing! I love your ideas. So far I've bought my two little grandsons a tiny white Bible when they were dedicated.

Oh what a breath of fresh air you are dear one.

Love, Amelia

Anonymous said...

What a precious legacy you are sharing with your children and grandchildren. A legacy passed from one generation to the next. May the chain be unbroken as the little ones grow and pass on the Word

Deanna said...

Such a sweet post,
d