I am not usually one for appreciating sentimental value in physical objects — this story is a little different though.
Grace is the wife of the young pastor we were assisting during our time in Northern Luzon, Calapangan Sur. Almost 24, she is a bible school graduate, current college student, worship leader, and mother to her toddler, Aliya.
Grace would always be around — a steady and reassuring face in the household.
There were countless instances when I would be talking to someone at the house and they would say something funny or tease me about whatever, and I would look over at Grace and she would raise her eye brows at me and laugh.
It was cute little connecting moments like that which made me like her.
But then I learned how much I could love her.
I was drawn to Grace’s quiet demeanor and her joyful sprit. We would normally have short interactions, but they were always so welcoming and comfortable. I got really excited when I saw her and she made me feel seen. God just kept highlighting her to me!
I asked Grace if she and I could hang out at some point and told her that I wanted to get to know her, hear her story. In her humorous fashion, she acted so shocked and honored — and agreed. Late that night, we met up outside on the porch and sat for a couple hours, talking about everything under the sun. Her childhood, experiences in bible school, the ins and outs of marriage, life in ministry, the World Race, life in the United States, etc. I would tell her goofy stories and she would laugh at my cheesy jokes.
She had also mentioned that she doesn’t read the Bible as much as she used to and that it’s hard to find time. At one point we were talking about the book of Hosea and we couldn’t remember if he was considered a prophet or not. I looked over and saw her small, black NIV bible sitting on a table, so we used it to settle the argument. (He is, in case you were wondering.)
Her hand writing was found in the front cover.
This Holy Bible
belongs to:
GRACE Y. ABEJUELA
Date:
JUNE 13, 2015
From:
JESUS CHRIST
I thought it was precious. But we didn’t linger on it too much.
A couple days later, in the midst of friends and family singing karaoke outside, Grace and I were sitting off to the side chatting. We got on the topic of the Bible I brought, and i explained to her how my NIV Jesus Bible was a little too hefty for a trip like this. I thought I would love having the same bible I used at home, but for me, living in different conditions like this made me want something smaller and simpler. (It’s really a personal preference.) I went upstairs to grab my bible and show it to her. She thought it was cool and agreed it was a little heavy.
I told her, “Yeah, actually something like your little black bible over there would have been nice. You know, small and easy to carry around.”
She sat there thinking for a while and I continued to talk.
Finally she looked up and said, “I am shy to give you my bible.”
I didn’t really know what she meant by that. “Wait you’re what?”
She just kind of giggled.
“Are you considering giving me your bible?”
She answered as if it was obvious, “Yes!”
“What do you mean you’re shy?”
“Because it’s old and worn and was damaged during the typhoon…”
My eyes widened. “Wait — Grace you can’t do that!”
She nodded really big, “Yeeeessss!”
I told her if she ended up giving me her bible that I would probably cry. She told me that it would be a way for me to remember her.
The next morning we said our goodbyes — which was a lot harder than I was expecting it to be. We had only spent 2 weeks together, but she made me feel so comfortable and seen. I gave her a handwritten letter that I wrote to her and her husband, and she ran upstairs to grab her little black NIV bible. She handed it to me and smiled.
The night before, after telling them about Grace’s offer, one of my teammates asked if I would give Grace my Jesus Bible in return.
I hadn’t thought about that.. But I liked the idea. Besides, why would I need two different bibles if I was already disliking the weight and size of the first one?
So this was the moment. Grace watched me walk over to my backpack to put her little black bible inside, and I took out my Jesus Bible. I walked over to her with it in hand and said, “Why don’t you take this one?”
She stared at me. “Nooo you need it!”
“No I don’t, I have yours now.”
She just smiled and shook her head.
I said, “What if this was meant to be? You gave me your bible and now you can have this one. Sometimes when you get a cool new bible, it makes you motivated to start reading the Word more.”
She finally took it, with teary eyes and a “Thank you so much.”
Our goodbye was really emotional. We would hug, pull away and look at each other, and then just hug again. We did this several times and just stood there embracing each other, crying. There is just something about her presence that I find so comforting and enjoyable. It felt like we were long lost friends. How could I leave something like that when it had just begun only a few days ago?
When I finally got into the van to leave, I had one of those ridiculous existential moments of staring out the window and listening to sad music through my headphones, choking back tears while people talked around me.
I cried a couple more times off and on, and for some reason just really felt the weight of not seeing her again. I mean, it could happen one day, but how likely is it?
Now I am at least satisfied in carrying a piece of her with me for the next year. She gave me her bible and I gave her mine.
I love opening it, knowing that it’s now mine and has even more value to it than it already did. I’ve already started writing and underlining in it, integrating it into my life on the Race.
I LOVE YOU, GRACE. And I am thankful that Jesus allowed something so special to blossom in a short amount of time.
