A Family Treasure.

I just got a new-to-me desk. I was setting up my computer. I was reorganizing as I am preparing myself for a huge change. A change to homeschool my children, starting with my Aiden. I had also had gotten an old desk from a friend, for him. I cleaned the desk- mine. Garry set up my wiring for me and I started to put papers, inks, and cords away, happy to have my space back. I had put the small leather bible that I was using in my purse. It used to be here to serve for my writing. On my bookshelf in another room, I have a few other bibles and I decided it was time to use one that I never have but is brand new. It is a gorgeous Women of Faith Study Bible. The kind of Bible that I love. One with the paper edged to weigh it down and make it easier to flip through, New International Version that corresponds with my understanding and knowledge. It is a bible that I put away on purpose. It was a gift for my 25th birthday- Christmastime 2005. I am now thirty-one. I haven't used it. I thought it was time to pull it out. Now, I think that GOD had the idea first.... The inscription is made up of verses and encouragement from many generations of my mothers side, who are of Christian heritage. My Great Grandmother (who is now home in Heaven), my Grandpa and Grandma Campbell, my Aunty Sandy, who has always been a huge part of my life, and my Mother and Father, all wrote across the first two pages.
I had asked for this Bible. I wanted a new one. A fresh, empty one, free of writing. I was annoyed that this came with writing already. I was hurt when I read the verses and felt like they were all reprimand. I was pregnant with Aiden at the time. We had planned to start having kids but were only engaged. Garry was not ready to get married and I was tired of my dreams falling apart beyond my control. I had already chosen him and he had chosen me. I wanted to see my biggest plan of being a mother happen. At this point I had lost MacCrea too. What could I do when I was pregnant and my husband did not want to get married yet? Seriously. I had though, already begun to change.
Pulling out this bible now was no coincidence. I thought I should re-read the verses, knowing that they would no longer be offensive. What I did not expect was to laugh out loud and then tear up. The verses are all made up of scripture that I have seen in my Breaking Free, by Beth Moore, bible study which I am into with my mom's group. The verses and encouragement that my mom wrote, well, I must write it word for word. It is insightful to say the least:
My dearest daughter Tara, I know you will appreciate these thoughts and samples of your family's handwriting. On your 25th birthday you are grown up and a wonderful woman. You understood generational issues at a very young age and as an adult, family history becomes clearer. Bless you and your future- I love you so much, mom, xxo Deuteronomy 7:9, Luke 1:50, Psalms 78:3,4,6&7; 102:18;112:2. (If you are reading this, you should look these up.) If you don't know, part of our study is dealing with generational bondage at this very moment.
My Aunt had written a verse that I had already planned to be on the wall of my schoolroom, and wrote in my journal this afternoon: Proverbs 22:6~ Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. And this one too, I love~ Deuteronomy 6:4-12.  I am tired tonight or I would write them all out. You'll have to look them up if you want to know why I was in tears.
I am humbled again. Or should I say still. My GOD, who knows me, is doing a good work. I will treasure this bible now. It is so meaningful. It has promises and prayers from three generations before me, and I plan to carry them on, for a thousand generations forward. Thank you family. Thank you Redeemer GOD.