Upstate, New York. Mid 1980’s.
My father had a way with words, and one day, in a moment of anger, his silver tongue planted the healing seed of faith. It all began after my husband destroyed our wedding presents in a fit of rage, except for an elegant family Bible.
Several months later, I walked up the steps to his small apartment, knocked once, and opened the door. Stepping into the kitchen, I notice he is in the next room, sitting on the side of the bed.
Once, a strong man who built a family home, planted extensive vegetable gardens, and labored for firewood and sixteen-hour shifts at the paper mill. He appeared weak and in poor health, with heart problems.
As I sat next to him, he showed me a drawing of a headstone, and his love for music was evident by a guitar with his name beneath it.
After a few moments of silence, I asked about purchasing the Bible.
He said,
“Linda, you can’t sell that Bible. It’s the only book that will save your life.”
Planting the Healing Seeds of Faith
He didn’t understand that returning without drug money would guarantee more abuse by my husband. I pleaded with him, but he stood firm and refused to purchase the Bible.
The last words I spoke to my father came from a place of deep emotional hurt.
I lashed out, saying
“I remember what you did to me as a little girl that day in your bedroom. I will never forget what you did.”
Memories of Sexual Abuse
My earliest memory of sexual abuse was the fear of being alone with my father in his dark, smoke-filled bedroom. I remember crying to go with Mom in the kitchen and waking up next to him, still asleep. Neither of us had underpants on, and his private parts were resting on the top part of my thigh. I got up, quickly dressed, and left the bedroom.
This time, I slammed the door, never to see my dad again.
He passed away a few years later, and I didn’t learn of his death until much later in life. However, I never forgot the silver-tongued words spoken in a moment of hurt and anger.
I didn’t know, but my father gave his daughter the greatest gift he could have given.
He spoke the truth,
“It’s the only book that will save your life.”
In moments of deep distress, my father stood his ground and refused to purchase the Bible and relieve my temporary burdens. Instead, he planted the healing seed of faith and pointed me in the direction I needed to go to restore my life.
The Life Restoring Grace of God
Several years later, after running in fear for my life, his words came to mind at a small city mission in Oakland, California. I listened to a sermon before the evening meal and chose to walk forward to accept Jesus Christ as my savior.
That night, the life-restoring grace of God rescued me from the darkness, and the Holy Spirit came to deliver me from the burdens of sin.
My father was right;
That Bible pointed me to the only one who could save my life.
Jesus Christ!
The grace of God enabled me to forgive my father for everything that has happened. Today, I understand we all have flaws and have done things that hurt others. We are all sinners who need God’s grace to deliver us and change our lives.
Did someone plant the seed of faith in your life?
If so, how and what happened?
How has the Bible redeemed your life?
I believe my father found the Lord and was saved by grace before he passed away. I think he knew the truth, which allowed him to point me in the right direction.
The Headstone
My father didn’t get the headstone he wanted; his grave is underneath a large tree in the center of the graveyard.
It’s sad; our family was dysfunctional and suffered for so many years, and it would have been avoidable if we had only followed Jesus sooner in life.
The Only Book that Will Save Your Life is a true story!
It declares God’s power to work in our lives and his saving grace to rescue us and transform our hearts. However, you must walk forward by faith, confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and willfully accept Jesus Christ as your savior. Then you will be saved, God will begin to transform you, and he will give you an abundant life.