A book is a gift that keeps “giving” long after the pretty wrappings and ribbons are gone. It is no surprise to my family to find a book of some type under the tree for them as a gift each year at Christmas. And they usually discover something else, such as cash or gift cards, tucked inside the pages of the books I give.
Giving a Gift in the Midst of Heartache
I am a book lover, also known as a bookworm! I am always ready to discuss the latest book I am reading or one I consider worthy of sharing. During a recent conversation with a friend, we discussed “Voices of the Faithful,” a book compiled by Kim P. Davis that includes inspirational stories by Beth Moore and her friends. It is one of my favorite devotional books for many reasons, but one is because it was a gift my mother gave to each member of our family on her last Christmas with us in 2007.
In mid-December of 2007, my mom was diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer. As Christmas approached, all tests indicated this would be her last holiday with her family. After reading portions of “Voices of the Faithful,” my mom had me purchase copies of the book for her to give as gifts to our family. She wrote a message to the recipient on the inside front cover of each book and included her life Scripture. Her life Scripture is Philippians 4:13, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (NLT)
Realizing that this book would also be a perfect gift for my mom, who loved devotional books, I purchased a copy as a gift from me to her. Inside the front cover, I wrote, “To my mother, the strongest and most faithful woman I know!” She indeed showed her faith to all of us during her entire life, especially during the short weeks after her diagnosis and before her death.
The Gift That Continues To Give
After my mother passed away in February of 2008, I kept both books; the one she gave me and the one I gave to her. After the discussion about the devotional book with my friend, I decided to use it once again for my evening prayer time. I retrieved it from the library shelf, and as I opened the book, I realized the copy I chose to read from was the one I had given to my mom. This book was placed on the shelf after my mom passed away, and since then, no one has opened this book to read from it.
I turned to the page she had bookmarked, which would have been the last page she had read. The prayer at the end of the page reads like this: “God of all comfort, I praise You that You bring hope in the midst of trials. Thank You for the many times You have comforted me. May Your spirit comfort others through me this week. May I never turn my head to those who suffer and grieve but use me instead to be a friend.” Amen.
Written on the bookmark holding her place in the book was my mom’s name, and whoever wrote her name also referenced Psalm 16:11.
“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” (NLT)
What a nugget of joy to find this! Even after all these years, God continues to use her to do His work! This book my mom gave as a gift to all of us continues to give in unexpected ways!
God graciously has given us another week, and my prayer is this: “May Your spirit comfort others through me this week. May I never turn my head to those who suffer and grieve but use me instead to be a friend.”
Resources
Scripture References: Philippians 4:13, Psalm 16:11. Visit Biblegateway.com for complete passages of Scripture and available study tools.
Learn more about Beth Moore by visiting her website. Also follow this link to purchase the book, Voices of the Faithful, from Amazon.