I found my childhood bible the other day from when I was in primary school. I don’t remember using it much, but I found some writing and a long-forgotten bookmark when I opened it.

The bookmark I found in Philippians where I was either reading the end of chapter 2 or the beginning of chapter 3. Coincidentally, I have just finished reading this part of Philippians. Can’t say I remember reading it before, either.

In the introductory pages, I filled some sections under the title of My Personal Stuff. The first thing I noticed was how atrocious my writing was back then, but I really should be kinder to myself, considering I was still a kid and developing my writing style. There were a few questions and my answers crack me up. My mind back then was something else. I’m sure you’ll find amusement in the answers too.

When I got it – I was glad.

Why I got this bible – because I wanted it.

Who gave it to me – I bought it.

Questions I have about God, the Bible, faith, etc. –

• I wonder where you are?
• Are the Egyptians real?
• How big are you?
• I think you’re everywhere?
• I think you’re taller than me?
• Is Jesus dead now?

I don’t know if it’s just me, but the fact that I actually wanted a bible back then when a few years later, I wanted nothing to do with the bible or church amazes me. It makes me wonder what happened to make me change my mind because I don’t remember. Maybe it’s just how I read it, but I also seem proud that I bought it, perhaps I’m wrong.

I can safely say I know the answers to those questions now too. If only I could go back and tell myself that God is everywhere and He is bigger than I could ever imagine, so yes, He is definitely taller than me and is everywhere. I think little me was a bit confused about the whole resurrection, which is understandable because, even now, it can be overwhelming to think about. I still can’t believe I asked if Egyptians were real, but I guess I just wanted to be sure.

The next page, I think, was still part of the personal stuff, except it had a bit to create your own URL out of your name and below was a space where you could list favourite bible verses and other stuff to think about. And if I thought I hadn’t grasped the Bible before well my knowledge of Bible books was non-existent. Apparently, my favourite books were:

• Mary and Martha
• Mary and Joseph
• Zacchaeus

While I may not have gotten the names of the books right, it’s pretty clear that I liked the gospels for the stories with the people mentioned above. Despite having listed them as books my favourite bible heroes were Joseph, Moses and Samuel.

I’d like to think they were my favourite bible heroes because they were all called to do great things, but realistically it was probably because they were the stories I remembered the most and related to somehow. Back then, I probably found Joseph interesting because he became a wealthy, influential person from a background of little, a kind of Bible version of Cinderella, and I loved Disney and still do.

If I had to guess, I would’ve picked Moses because he narrowly avoided death by being placed in a basket and floated to Pharaoh’s palace. The younger me would’ve found that immensely intriguing. Samuel, on the other hand, I cannot think why I would have picked him as a bible hero. Maybe, because his sleep kept getting disturbed, and I would’ve hated that too.

Now for what were my three favourite Bible verses. The first one doesn’t really surprise me considering it’s one of the most well-known verses in the world.

‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’

John 3:16

The next two I’m just a little surprised about, sure they are good verse but I doubt little me fully understood them. I suppose I should consider it a good thing that I read the Bible at all of my own free will. Maybe I just thought they sounded like good things, that’s probable.

‘Through Him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.’

Acts 13:39

‘But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. to Him be glory both now and forever! Amen,’

2 Peter 3:18

I hope you found my journey down memory lane entertaining because I certainly did. Until next time…

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