THE BIBLE IN MY LIFE November 24, 2003 Issue

'I ate the Bible'

By Roy Lloyd

When I was very young, I began to "eat" the Bible. Yes, you read that first sentence correctly. I "ate" the Bible. Here's how it happened. When I was growing up, the Sunday School at my church gave little cards each week to those of us who attended. On the cards were Bible verses and, sometimes, a picture that tried to capture the essence of the verses. Each Sunday after class, my parents would ask me to show them my card. Almost always I said, "I ate it."

Who knows what possessed me at that tender age? I had made a mid-morning snack out of the Bible verse card—literally! Eventually I outgrew this little trick, but somehow the blessings that came from "devouring" the Bible grew steadily over the years. The devotions my parents held at home each day became increasingly important to me. And I discovered that my father, who read his Bible each night before going to bed, was a fine role model.

I came to love the Bible, and cherished the one I received at the time of confirmation in our church. I have it still, although it is a bit tattered from long use. And I have several other Bibles at home that are special to me. Some are quite old, such as the one my grandparents received when they were married. Some are wonderfully new. Each one speaks to me in a unique and personal way.