‘In design, “white space” is negative space. It’s not blank space because it has a purpose.’ Jocelyn K. Glei in Why You Need “White Space” in Your Daily Routine.
After returning home from training camp I decided that I wanted to buy a brand new Bible before I left for the race. This Bible was only going to get used over the next year that I was gone. I hope to fill the pages will all of my notes, memories, and lessons learned throughout the trip written in the margins, next to the verses that brought me through those times. I want to look back on this Bible and see how much I have grown since leaving the United States. I also needed one that I wouldn’t mind getting a little beat up throughout all of the traveling that’s going to happen.
My mom and I walked into Mardel’s and I had the perfect Bible in mind! I walk to the back and start looking on all of the shelves to find this specific hardcover gray Bible. I searched all over and couldn’t find the one I was looking for. I almost gave up when I saw an employee, Suzanne, walking around. I asked her if she had this Bible in stock and she led me to where it would normally be. They had all of the other colors except for the gray one!
Seeing the disappointment on my face Suzanne asked me if I would be interested in another color or if I wanted to look for another Bible. I told her my heart had been set on the gray hardcover but would be willing to look at different Bibles since this one was so heavy. We began talking about the race and how it would probably be a smart decision to find a lighter Bible for the specific trip. Suzanne had never heard of the world race before and was so excited to hear about all the things I’ll be doing while I’m away with my squad!
Suzanne then led me to a different shelf where she showed me some bibles that were on clearance that would be good to use on a mission trip. We kept talking and decided that none of the one she had showed me would work so she led me to the back wall again. She said, ” I don’t know why but I feel like you should get a journaling Bible. That’s why I keep showing you all these ones that have plenty of space to write in.” Suzanne showed me one more before she looked at me and said, ” I feel like the Holy Spirit keeps telling me to show you one specific Bible.”
Let’s just stop there for a second!! Like what?! The Holy Spirit is telling you which Bible to sell me? How crazy is that!?
Okay back to the story…
Suzanne grabbed the Bible next one she had just sat down and said, “This is the one you should bring.” Let me be the first to tell you that this Bible was pretty ugly. My first reaction was to say, “Oh no, I’ll just get a different one”, but how can I say no to the Holy Spirit? So Suzanne starts explaining why she thinks this is the Bible the Holy Spirit is telling me to buy. The covers are stark white and made out of a canvas material. They are meant to be painted on, colored, and drawn on. Suzanne said you’re supposed to bring this Bible with you so that people you interact with on a daily basis, people you lead to Christ, and your squadmates can decorate it over the course of a year.
How cool is that? So of course I bought the white Bible and had Suzanne be the first to sign it!!
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Stories like that sure make me more excited for what is about to happen over the next 11 months. Make sure you hit the subscribe button so I can keep you updated!!
Much love
