Sunday, January 17, 2010

52 Blessings—So Let It Be Written



Calvin often says, “So let it be written. So let it be done.” It sounds scriptural. Today I am indeed grateful for the scriptures—my particular set of scriptures as well as all written scriptures.

My set of scriptures wasn’t always blue. They used to be teal green. Cali was only about ten or twelve years old when she learned I wanted a new set of scriptures; my old ones being the victim of kids and time. She went to her dad before Christmas and said, “I want to give mom scriptures for Christmas, but I don’t have enough money. Will you put half in, too?” Having asked me weeks earlier what kind of scriptures I wanted, and knowing they were definitely out of her reach, I didn't hesitate to be specific. Cali told her dad, “Mom wants the teal green ones and she wants a quadruple combination (all scriptures bound in one cover).” Then she handed Calvin a ten dollar bill and said, “Here’s my half.”

Knowing all Christmas money was already budgeted and spent, and knowing that for several years Calvin and I didn’t have enough money to include gifting each other in that budget, he came to me and shared the dilemma. The particular set of scriptures Cali thought she was buying half of cost over $100. Calvin said, “Jane, I’ve got to buy them. She’s really counting on it and it’s important to her.” So, somehow, somewhere we came up with the money and I got a Christmas gift that year while Calvin still didn’t. I often think, “Here’s my half” when I look at my scriptures and think of a little girl giving her all. How could I not appreciate them when it took her so much to give them? Likewise, when I think of the cost to the writers in the scriptures--blood and body in many cases--so that we could have them, well, it only makes sense to appreciate and love them.

As you can see, my set is no longer teal green. Several years ago, a student, seeing that my scriptures kept falling out of their teal leather cover asked me if I wanted to know of someone who could rebind them. I did. I did. I did. He put me in contact with a man that said he had the tools and ability to rebind them. I asked him if he could break them into two sets (for easier use) and he agreed that he could. They’re the same scriptures, just a different cover.

Though my scriptures have great sentimental value to me, I appreciate what is written within them even more. For many, many years I have daily read from them. Times too numerous to count, the words that I have read for that day have given me specific counsel, comfort, or direction. I remember one time when the kids were little and I was so very tired of them by the time bedtime came. I had great empathy for the old woman in the shoe that night and couldn’t get them to bed fast enough. After they were in bed, I realized I hadn’t read my scriptures for the day and pulled them out to read them. Wouldn’t you know one of the first verses I read was, “ye must repent . . . and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.” I needed to be a better mother. That day wasn’t an isolated one. God knew it and then I knew it. It was a gentle enough correction, but it made a necessary difference. Time after time I’ve been not only corrected, but encouraged and directed by their words; likewise, the Spirit that attends while reading has blessed me with encouragement, understanding, and peace.

My first semester of college was at BYU-Hawaii. It was a very long way from home and I was homesick. My older sister Chris wrote me a letter that said, “I hear you’re homesick. Don’t be. Mom’s sick in bed. Dad’s cross. The little kids are fighting. There are weeds in the garden. I’m canning peaches. That is what you would be missing. DON’T BE HOMESICK.” You know after I read that letter from Chris, I wasn’t nearly as homesick, and enjoyed the new opportunities given to me. I think of the scriptures as letters from home. Letters from Heavenly Father reminding me of where and what I need to be doing and enjoying while I’m on earth. I am so very grateful for the scriptures. So let it be written. So let it be done.

14 comments:

The Bead Lady said...

Jane,
I decided to take a moment for myself this morning before getting ready for church and thought I would catch up on a few blogs. As I scrolled down your blog and read each of your daily entries I realized how much room for improvement there is my life. When I got back up to the top I was surprised to see that you had just posted your blog about your scriptures. Although my life is crazy right now I am grateful for the reminder of how important it is to read from the scriptures daily. As long as I am reading daily, it makes me hopeful that I will be able to improve the other areas of my life that need a little "sprucing". Thank you. Whitney

Leslie said...

I'm so grateful for my scriptures, too. This year one of my goals is to appreciate and use them far more than last year. I also want to read the Old Testament through for the first time ever. I think (but am not 100% sure) that I read most of it/maybe all back in my seminary days, but even if I did - that was 20 years ago!

Deanna/Mimi said...

You bring such "heart" to your blog. You have a beautiful way of expressing your experiences that get one's mind to "seeing" for themselves what you have experienced. Your experiences have certainly taught me how to be a better me. Thank you Jane.

Kim Sue said...

beautiful story
beautifully written

Derek-Jenny-Kaitlynd-Ethan-Dylan said...

What a great post. I enjoyed every word!
Thank you.

Mindy said...

I LOVE that story and I love this post. Thanks for the "letters from home" analogy. I am going to go read!

Becky said...

After a long, long day...just like the one you wrote about where you sympathized with the old woman who lived in a shoe...this was just what I needed.

I did fine until I read it out loud to Jeff and then I couldn't stop crying. Thanks for sharing your sweet testimony.

I too love the scriptures more than I can adequately say and am so grateful for the habit of daily reading. Thank you Jane for being you...

michelle said...

This is so beautiful, Jane. I love the story of Cali giving her "half" for your new scriptures. And I love that you were able to get them re-bound! Marc gave me new leather-bound scriptures (Christmas gift to BYU employees), and while I love them, I wish they had all of my old markings.

Letters from home. You are so wise, dear Jane.

Cali said...

Mom,

That was beautifully and precisely written. Thank you for putting me in such a great light. Amen.

Cali

Samantha said...

Jane I loved this post. I had a similar experience happen to me just this past weekend, when I was at my wits end with my kids. I went to the adult session of stake conference and was reminded of a scripture that not only gave me the courage to actually go home and face another day with my kids, but also to still have hope that they were going to turn out! :) haha It's funny how easy it is to get discouraged when you have a bunch of toddlers at home.

So I really appreciate this post. It's good to be reminded of how wonderful children are and how wonderful the scriptures are.
(P.s. the scripture was D&C 64:33. I thnk it's going to be my new motto.)

Jill said...

What a great post Jane (as usual)! I love the story of how you got this set of scriptures, what a memorable and sweet way to get them.

I also love the thought of them being letters from home.

Ande said...

Oh I loved this post Mamma. One of my new favorites.

hennchix said...

Thank you so much Jane!! Whenever I think about the scriptures, I remember how you used to read them during sharing time in Primary, and how you used the scriptures to teach the kids about how important singing is. I was so angry, and of course without the Spirit, and you were totally in tune. You taught me that day, and you teach me everytime I talk to you.

melanie said...

You are amazing and I miss you. Thanks for your example. We have been tirelessly reading the scriptures as a family but most days i have let my own reading go. I've watched my patience go. Duh, Melanie! I too love the letter analogy. Thanks for this post, I love it too.