B: What to do With a Tattered BIBLE

This is clearly not by Bible because this one has a cover.

Do you have a favourite Bible? Why is it your favourite?  Mine is a bubblegum pink, paperback, NIV Women’s Devotional Bible. I’ve had it for 14 years.

• The front cover is gone and so are more than a few pages.
• The spine is held together with grey duct tape. Back then we didn’t have the fancy duct tape colours available today.
• Scribbled on the inside back cover are verses of encouragement.
• Verses are underlined (in pencil and various colours of ink) throughout this Bible.
• Answered prayers are noted, but only in short hand. I can’t remember some of the particulars, but I see that I said “Thank You” to God.
• Some of my prayers haven’t been answered. And the dates and cryptic requests blink like my laptop cursor waiting for God’s next move.
• Dates and personal notes on the pages point to low times in my life. These low times were an acrimonious divorce and the decline and death of my mother (who wasn’t even of retirement age).

Clearly this Bible has seen better days. Because of the shape it is in, it would not be of use to anyone. What do you do with a Bible that is cluttered with writing (although meaningful to me), falling apart, and has memories of  traumatic times?

My research indicates that there isn’t a uniform way to respectful dispose of Bibles that are past using.

Some ideas of disposal include the following:

1. Throw it away.
2. Bury it under the doorstep of your front door.
3. Burn it like you would a retired USA flag.
4. A friend used pages her falling apart Bible in her family scrapbook.

One writer (Wayne Weissenbuehler a former seminary professor, pastor, and bishop} suggests we follow a Jewish practice.

“When Hebrew scrolls of the Scripture that contain the written sacred name of God are no longer usable, they are gathered, placed in a coffin and buried in a cemetery with a liturgy of committal. Why not take a Bible that has become unusable, wrap it in a protective cover and bury it with an appropriate liturgy of committal?” Wayne Weissenbuehler

I still haven’t decided what to do. But I do know the best place for the Bible is in me:  “In my heart I store up your words, so I might not sin against you,” (Psalm 119:11).

But maybe I will have a ceremony. And in addition to burying the Bible, I will pray and discern if there is more that needs to be dealt with and then put to rest like . . .

• Resentments
• Unresolved griefs
• Unforgiveness

Your Turn . . .  What would you do?

Related Posts . . .

1. 3 Reasons to Read This Bible Storybook (interview with an 11-year-old)
2. 6 Tips to Consistent Bible Reading
3. 21 Things I Learned by Reading Individual Bible Books in One Sitting

NOTE: This post is written for the Blogging From A to Z Challenge. There are 22 categories and my category is MI = Miscellaneous.

During the month of April I will post 26 times finishing up posts that have been in my draft fie for at least a year. For a list of all the posts go to the A-Z button on my header.

Today’s letter is B. The topic is Bible.