Sunday, November 17, 2024

Treasure in the House

Miniature Bible on our table. 

The grandchildren were expected for an early dinner. I went about setting the table for them.  I was looking for just the right thing to make it special.  I remembered the miniature (KJV) Bibles I have for babies and preschoolers. I found one and carefully tucked it beside a candle centerpiece. It spoke volumes of what was on my heart. This little book was the secret of my joy and rest and peace as I go about the Master's work here in the home.

At dinner, one of the younger grandsons noticed the book with eagerness.  He asked, "Is that a little Bible?" He was delighted.  It is cherished in his home as well.  

Years ago, Bibles would commonly contain several pages elaborately decorated with the intention of recording the family genealogy.  If someone would ask grandfather when a grandchild had been born, he would get the Family Bible and find the answer.  In the old days, this was often considered proof of the date of one's birth or to confirm the relation of members of the family.

It is a blessing and a joy to have a Bible to read.  One of the greatest memories, for old time families, is the remembrance of hearing Mother and Dad reading from the Bible to their children.

LOC: Abraham Lincoln Reading the Bible to his son, 1865.


Children who grow up in a home where the Bible is loved, cherished, and frequently read, have a wonderful fondness for home and family.  When they grow up, they tend to keep this precious habit of gleaning spiritual nourishment every day of their lives.  This used to be so common in previous generations. 

Young Men's Christian Association flyer, 1919. 


In our modern culture, where constant advertising promotes materialism and excessive forms of secular recreation, it is sometimes difficult to keep one's spiritual bearings.  We can counter this by keeping the Bible prominent in the home.  It should not be dusty for lack of use. It must be the most loved and respected book, more valuable than piles of gold. It is the treasure of the house. 

As I look back over the years as a wife, mother, and grandmother, life was not easy. Yet I feel so grateful and blessed.  We may have been poor, but we always had a Bible in the house.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -


Always Remember this - The House Comes First.

The Beauty of an Ordinary, Simple Life - Standard of Living.

A Blessing in Making an Effort - Peaceful Homemaking.


- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

An Old-Fashioned Devotional Book:


"Inspired by the life, writings, and journals  of John Wesley (1700's), Mrs. White has created  a 90 - day Bible study challenge. ."

Early Morning Revival Challenge

Paperback, 116 pages. 




7 comments:

Martha Jane Orlando said...

Your children and grandchildren are blessed to have such an example of Bible reading from you, Mrs. White. Sadly, that was not my tradition in my parents' home. I didn't become a committed Christian and Bible reader until I was in my thirties. I've tried to make up for that! Blessings!

stephanie said...

Mrs. White, Would it be permissible to tell other grandmother's the name of your Bible for Children? If not, I understand.

Elizabethd said...

My grandma's Bible went everywhere with her. She was such an example.

Sister in the Mid-west said...

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. I read that Bible to my children and I hope that they will learn to love God and fear him and lead life's that are upright.

Wanda said...

What a lovely and meaningful centerpiece. I have that same candle, and after the candle was gone, cleaned the container and filled it almonds. Being a Pastor and wife for many years, there are more Bibles in our home than any other book. Many comentaries, and devotional books too. I love the Puritian Prayer books. That is the legacy we want to leave, loving and having God's Word in our home and especially in hearts and lives. Blessing for a loving and peaceful Thanksgiving.

Janine said...

SO TRUE! It is our greatest treasure and DOES belong on the dining table, or nearby. We have a giant 1899 KJV Bible on a pedestal in our dining room that my son reads to us from every morning. It is truly a blessing to have the Word of God at our fingertips! We should be so thankful for it, yet most of the world never picks it up, including Christians :( I wish more people would start with an easy-to-read Bible such as The Simple English Bible and then go from there. It's such a blessing! That's how my son began to love the Word of God!

Amelia said...

Such a beautiful post, Mrs. White. I love the vintage pictures and ads, that just does my heart good. I think that is why I say many times I long for the '40s in the country. People had a healthy fear and love for God.

In our home, the Bible is very important as well, it's our daily bread, and just such a wonderfully personal thing in our relationship with the Lord as well as prayer.

What a darling and sweet little story of your little grandson and the sweet heart you have putting the Bible on the table like that.

Have a peaceful and blessed Thanksgiving, ~Amelia