Diapers, Pacifiers, and Other Holy ThingsНамуна

God’s Word is Alive

“Read,” my almost three-year-old demanded as she wiggled up next to me and shoved a book into my hand.

I glanced at the familiar orange-and-green cover. Goodnight Moon. Again.

I forced myself into “good mother” mode and opened to the first page. I knew the words by heart.

"In the great green house..."

Megan clapped her hands in delight, eager to find the itty-bitty mouse. Oh, Megan, I sighed. Why is this book always new to you? Don’t you ever tire of it?

“Red,” she said as she pointed to the red balloon. Then a red light flicked on in my heart. Stop, Lorraine. Think. Why does Megan love this book?

I remembered her at six months, loving the sound of my voice. At one, she hunted for the tiny mouse. Now she was obsessed with finding the letter O.

In the comfort of familiar words and pictures, Megan joyfully discovered something new with each reading.

Multiply Megan’s love for Goodnight Moon by a thousand, and you’ll glimpse how I feel about the Bible. I never tire of reading it. Familiar passages become fresh with new discoveries. I read a verse I’ve seen countless times and marvel, “Wow! I never saw that before.”

The Bible is a divine love story. It begins with creation, ends with a wedding, and the pages in between are filled with drama, poetry, passion, and mystery. Only God could weave such a plot about how deeply He loves you and me.

No book compares. The Bible claims to be flawless (2 Samuel 22:31, NIV), to hold the power of life and death (Deuteronomy 30:15-20, NIV), and to provide wisdom and truth (Proverbs 2:6-11).

The psalmist says, "I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word" (Psalm 119:15-16, NIV).

I didn’t want to neglect God’s Word, but with two demanding preschoolers, work, and household tasks, reading large sections was impossible. So I broke my reading down into bite-sized pieces. I wrote a verse on the bottom of my grocery list. Each time I added an item, I repeated the verse. Even during a hectic week, I could memorize one verse.

Sometimes, with just ten minutes, I’d look at a page of Scripture and pray, “God, Your Word is living and active. Come alive!” I’d picture in my mind the words coming to life—stretching, squirming, and demanding my attention.

Other times, I pictured God’s Word as a tall glass of water. With every sip, the refreshing words seeped into dry places in my soul and refreshed me.

I wasn’t always this passionate about Scripture. I’ve yawned my way through Leviticus, feeling I was wasting my time. But I kept reading, knowing my soul was being nourished, even when certain passages were hard to digest.

Now that my children are grown, I read through the entire Bible every year. I’ve done this for the last 15 years. Why? Because now I see Jesus on every page. My lover, who died in my place, calls to me. Until we are together, I read and reread, finding Him in the white space between the words.

One day, I hope to know every page of the Bible as well as I know Goodnight Moon. After I finished reading to Megan, she would always ask, “Can we read it again?”

Oh God, give us hearts that approach Your Word with that same childlike enthusiasm.

Reflection Activity:

Read Psalm 119 and make a list of at least 19 benefits the Word of God offers you.