THE BIBLE IN MY LIFE February 2, 2004 Issue

An ideal sanctuary

By Ryder Stevens

I grew up in a home where loud voices, arguments, and occasional hand-launched missiles were common. At such times, I would find quiet in my bedroom or outdoors and read the children's Bible storybooks my grandmother had given me.

In these stories I found lots of characters I could easily identify with—flaws and all. They had problems that actually seemed bigger than mine. I decided that if God could get those guys through their problems, He could get me through mine.

One of them was Joseph, who had problems with his brothers. So did I—though I had only one brother to deal with. I was never put into a pit the way Joseph was, but I once had my brother turn the living-room sofa over me to keep me out of his hair. I was certain that if he could have sold me or traded me for a new fishing lure, I would have been gone.