The Bible Book Store...Bibles in the Back

The Bible Book Store...Bibles in the Back       Hebrews 4:12   John 1::1-2

written by Patricia Ann

For the Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was wit God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God. John 1::1-2

I needed a new Bible (a nice women's Bible) and upon looking at my local Wal-Mart store, I found only five Bibles tucked away on the top shelf, near the corner of the end of the back aisle.  

I reached up and took one down to look at it.  There was a large gray cluster of dust that had accumulated on the Bible.  All five Bibles were the same, (dust included) so I really only had one to choose from and it wasn't a Women's Bible I had set my heart on to find.  I desired a good women's Bible for this portion of my life and ministry days to come.

I left Wal-Mart and made my way uptown to where I remembered was the Bible Book Store.  That was where I bought my pretty pink Bible years earlier. Surely they would have a lot to choose from.  I thought wrong.

I eagerly walked in the store and where I remembered rows and rows of Christian books and Bibles, there was rack and racks of clothes.  As I walked through the store looking for the Bibles, I saw jewelry, a Bridal registry, kitchen items, and home decor displayed very nicely and out in the open. 

I was about to give up and leave when I met the sales woman in the aisle.  She asked how she could help me and I explained I was there to buy a Bible, but it had been several years since I had been in the store. The sales woman pointed to the far west wall in the back of the store.  I walked over and found approximately 15 feet of bookshelves against the wall, sparsely displayed with a small selection of books and Bibles. I noticed it was right next to the rack of 50 percent off clothes. 

There may have been 10 Bibles to choose from ESV, KJV, NIV, and a Family tabletop Bible. They were all very nice,  but not near the selection that I had remembered from years before.

I did find the perfect Women's Bible and happily purchased it.  It is pretty, With a dark blue and tan leather cover and has print large enough to easily read without squinting.  There was no comparison to the Wal-Mart Bible that had very small print. And in the days since I purchased this Women's Bible,  I feel very blessed and find myself in awe at the new messages I receive from our Lord, as I read and study His word.  

In walking out of the Book Store that day ,I couldn't help but feel like they had somehow moved Jesus to the back of the store.  I have pondered it in the days since.  Oh, how times have changed--- putting the word of God on a shelf in the back of the store or the back of our mind seems to be okay.   But, No! Jesus deserves to be in the front of the store and always in the forefront of our mind and in our hearts. 

With the internet online sales hurting small businesses for many years, it seems like this once popular little Bible Book Store somehow lost its First Love, the Word of God.  More money is to be made from selling clothes and home decor than Christian books and Bibles. 

Still ,I remember how sweet the atmosphere of the store was years ago, walking in and finding myself instantly among so many Bibles and Christian books.  I could feel the essence and taste the aroma of just being surrounded by His Word. 

Today the atmosphere in the store has changed.  Clothes and jewelry and home decor are nice and pretty.  Without a doubt, thy sell very well.  

But, moving the Word of God to the back of the store, next to the rack of discount clothes, somehow feels so wrong.

But, then again, we know that Jesus knows and none of this has taken Him by surprise. 

I will treasure my beautiful Women's Bible, using it daily, soaking in the essence and aroma of the Words of my Lord.

It is my prayer that one day, Jesus will be found once again filling the rows in the front of the store with many more Bibles and Christian books that glorify His Name. 

I wonder...Did the store sacrifice Jesus for their love of money by placing

HIm/His Word in the back of the store?

Maybe. At least for now, for such a time as this, but my prayer stands that it won't be this way forever.

I can't help but think that others have experienced this same situation, across the Nation and the world.  Yet We know that Jesus lives continually in our heart and not just in Christian books and Bibles. 

Let us not forget that He is the Word! 

John 1::1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was wit God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

Love and Blessings to all.