A Grandmother’s Faith
They went together--those wrinkled hands and tattered book. And something in the awe with which she held it made me think she held a sacred fire.
The old brass-bound Bible came to her from her mother, and hers before that, too, through more generations than I know how to reckon--faded, cracked, worn with use.
I wonder how it felt to hold the past within her hands-how many broken hearts found comfort there, how many searching minds were fed; how many fears were calmed in its reading; what songs of joy were hummed over it; what secret tears still stain its pages?
I loved to hear her talk to God, and when she prayed, I sometimes imagined I felt God near. It was a very safe place to be–with God and her. I liked her God, so wrapped up in the small goings-on of daily life—not too far away and busy with eternal things to take notice of one small child.
The Bible became mine today, and my smooth hands look somehow out of place–and somehow right at home. Like her, I hold the accumulated joys and sorrows of my heritage and join my life with theirs. There is a strength to it-forged by faithful living in the presence of a loving God. The line still holds-all those who have gone before, myself, and those who are to come.
Maria Livingston Roy
They went together--those wrinkled hands and tattered book. And something in the awe with which she held it made me think she held a sacred fire.
The old brass-bound Bible came to her from her mother, and hers before that, too, through more generations than I know how to reckon--faded, cracked, worn with use.
I wonder how it felt to hold the past within her hands-how many broken hearts found comfort there, how many searching minds were fed; how many fears were calmed in its reading; what songs of joy were hummed over it; what secret tears still stain its pages?
I loved to hear her talk to God, and when she prayed, I sometimes imagined I felt God near. It was a very safe place to be–with God and her. I liked her God, so wrapped up in the small goings-on of daily life—not too far away and busy with eternal things to take notice of one small child.
The Bible became mine today, and my smooth hands look somehow out of place–and somehow right at home. Like her, I hold the accumulated joys and sorrows of my heritage and join my life with theirs. There is a strength to it-forged by faithful living in the presence of a loving God. The line still holds-all those who have gone before, myself, and those who are to come.
Maria Livingston Roy
Imaging the Word An Arts and Lectionary Resource, Volume 2
Spiritual Practices: Keyword Listing
Keyword listing is a method of observational Bible study. It doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or training. You can read more about the process of keyword listing here. You can choose any word or short phrase to study using keyword listing. For this passage, we suggest the following keyword(s) to start your study.
Starting Points
Keyword listing is a method of observational Bible study. It doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or training. You can read more about the process of keyword listing here. You can choose any word or short phrase to study using keyword listing. For this passage, we suggest the following keyword(s) to start your study.
Starting Points
- Paul (and related pronouns) - Explore what Paul says to his close friend, Timothy, as he starts his last letter to him
- Timothy (and related pronouns) - Explore Paul's instructions and hope for Timothy
- God (and related pronouns) - Explore what Paul says about what God has done
- Christ Jesus (and related pronouns) - Explore what Paul says about the work of Jesus
Spiritual Practices: Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:12b-14)
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:12b-14)