Ariana shivers at the unusual sight before her. She backs out of the room, hoping the one she is looking for lies behind the next door. Her trembling hands make it impossible to lock the door. She fumbles with the key until the smooth metal finish slips between her fingers. She tries desperately to catch it before it contacts the wood floor. As a last ditch effort, she shifts her foot forward, intending for it to land on her shoe. Instead, her noble efforts result in her kicking the key. Bang, bang, bang. The sound of the key is like explosions in the silent house.
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In the modern world today, several different versions of the Bible are now in print. Every department store has several copies promoting a better and easier to understand literature of the outdated Bible. While all that seems exciting and helpful, it is also very concerning. Before I get into the nitty gritty of the details, let me state that I am well aware of the stigma behind the King James Version Bible. I know that many believe that mankind has touched it in irreptible ways and Christianity is just a way to manipulate and control the masses. I obviously disagree with such nonsense and believe the KJV Bible is the most accurate English interpretation of the Bible. In fact the KJV is so mathematically perfect, it would be impossible for any man to complete the complex structure in such a way. I will provide a link to a more detailed account of the above mentioned mathematics. Hopefully one day I can do an article representing this as well.
Let’s begin with the earliest form of the Bible. In the initial years the Bible was written by all walks of life but all inspired directly by God himself (II Timothy 3:16). Many men, across hundreds of years, some of which unbeknownst to the other wrote the Bible. Some Bibles were written by kings, fishermen and preachers. In fact, it was once mandatory for the new king to produce his own handwritten copy of the Bible. Ensuring each new reign had read the word of God and was fully capable of making sound and moral judgments based on scripture. All this was completed before the idea of the printing press had come to light and most was copied onto scrolls and later paper, primarily papaya.
The Vulgate was the first translation into French by a man named Jerome in the late 4th century. This version was later used by the Roman church. An abundance of religious texts were preserved through the following dark ages by priests and scribes who copied them in various places. As the centuries passed by the clerks and clergy were the only ones to have access to the written context. John Wycliffe had the belief that the sacred text should be available to everyone regardless of their social status. He was the first to translate the Bible into English in 1384.
The great invention of the printing press in 1440 meant that Hebrew, Greek and Latin text were more accessible and readily available. In 1526 William Tyndale completed his translation of the New Testament from the Greek text unlike Wycliffe who used Latin scriptures. Sadly both men died as a direct result of their fervent pursuit. Wycliffe was accused of heretics posthumously and Tyndale viciously burned at the stake.
During the tyrannical reign of Roman Catholic Mary I, English scholars sought refuge in Geneva, Switzerland. Not long after, the Geneva Bible came to light. Heavily influenced by John Calvin and John Knock, the Old Testament was published in 1558 and the New Testament in 1560. The Geneva Bible was the first to be translated from Greek and Hebrew into English. It was also the first Bible to use numbered verses and chapters along with italic words. It provided detailed depictions and commentary notes. It quickly gained public popularity as the common man could now access it as well.
Fast forward a few years and England was under the reign of Henry VIII. England removed itself from the Catholic church and created its very own state church. In 1604 King James I, a then known religious scholar who has previous bits of translations, decided to translate one unified version of the Bible. He published his version in 1611 after appointing the nation’s finest language scholars and creating a system to verify accuracy. His work was heavily influenced by the Geneva Bible but frowned upon the commentary aspects deeming it “seditious”. Then in 1684 the Roman Catholic Church decided to remove certain texts claiming it celebrated Judaism. Naturally there were other Bibles produced during the dates mentioned but I stuck with the most popular versions.
Now that we are finished with the history lesson let’s get back to the topic at hand. Modern day translations not only completely remove words but entire versus, drastically changing the intended message. Below is an example of 16 times entire verses were removed, they are as follows.
Matthew 17:21: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 18:11: “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 23:14: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” Mark 7:16: “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 9:44: “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:46: “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 11:26: “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 15:28: “And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.” Luke 17:36: “Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” John 5:4: “For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.” Acts 8:37: “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Acts 15:34: “Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.” Acts 24:7: “But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,” Acts 28:29: “And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.” Romans 16:24: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” I John 5:7: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
Furthermore, When we compare key scripture such as Ezekiel 13:20-23 we see noticeable differences.
Ezekiel 13:20-23, King James Version. 20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.
21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:
23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the Lord
Ezekiel 13:20-23, New International Version. 20 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds. 21 I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 22 Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives, 23 therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
Joshua 1:8, King James Version. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Joshua 1:8, New Living Translation. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Proverbs 18:21, King James Version. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 18:21, New Living Translation. 21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
The comparisons above show the stark difference between the pictures that the scripture conveys. The newer versions are not just inaccurate but also misleading. I understand the aspects of better readability and easier comprehension but at what cost? I find it very troubling that younger generations are gravitating toward newer translations. All the while oblivious to the discrepancies and confusion it can bring.
I believe a true Christian should avoid these translations all together. If comprehension of the old language style in King James Version is too difficult, pray about it and ask for clarification. Personally I use a Companion Bible KJV along with a Strong Concordance and a Smith’s Bible Dictionary. With these three resources I not only have the Apocrypha containing the books removed in 1648 but it also provides me with the ability to take any and every word back to the original languages and translate it myself. In doing so I can verify any and every text I read whether KJV or not. The companion Bible divides the scriptures so you can easily follow the subject and article. It provides a vast amount of appendices to further dive into the entirety of God’s Word. Doing so provides me with a deep and complex understanding of the Bible.
Our heavenly Father doesn’t want people to just show up for church on Sunday and fill the pews. He doesn’t want lukewarm Christians. He wants you every day, to be in His word. Christians are not supposed to listen to a preacher talk about one versus for an hour. We should be studying versus by versus, chapter by chapter to show ourselves approved. When was the last time you picked up your Bible and read it? When was the last time you did a deep dive into the true meaning of God’s word or have you ever desired to? Do you truly study the word of God or do you allow yourself to be spoon-fed a few versus on Sunday?
I consider myself extremely blessed to be born and raised in America. I do not have to tuck my Bible away and hide it from prying eyes. I do not have to pray in private or hold church in secret. I am free to worship and follow whoever I choose. Yet, so many people take for granted the living word of God at our fingertips. Scriptures that people would have once been beheaded for reading much less possessing and sadly still are today in many parts of the world. I hope everyday I remember what a blessing it is to openly study His word with ample amounts of resources at my disposal. I urge each read also to take the time and faithfully study the word of God.
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I came to you with my story. You held me in all your glory. You told me not to worry. All my sins would wash away. God you are my redeemer. My great and powerful teacher. You are God of creations and always so gracious.
You spoke life into my soul and love into my heart. I used to think of myself as not worthy. Too many sins just to forgive them. Might as well go on and worry about it another day
Then, I came to you with my story. You held me in all your glory. You told me not to worry. All my sins would wash away. God you are my redeemer. My great and powerful teacher. You are God of creations and always so gracious.
I have watched mountains fall before my feet. My enemies stumble before me. I have witnessed miracles happen before my eyes. Each time I recognize your glory. I will forever adore thee.
Because I came to you with my story. You held me in all your glory. You told me not to worry. All my sins would wash away. God you are my redeemer. My great and powerful teacher. You are God of creations and always so gracious.
My soul belongs to you Lord. You paid the price just for me. It is written in your story and you are the promise keeper. Oh how blessed I am to be a child of a God like you Lord. A child with uncountable blessings. A father with love never ending.
I came to you with my story. You held me in all your glory. You told me not to worry. All my sins would wash away. God you are my redeemer. My great and powerful teacher. You are God of creations and always so gracious.
Sally and Bob were a typical American family, four kids and a dog, with a two-story house and a white picket fence. They were the picture perfect example of the American dream. One evening, Bob noticed that Sally had been under the weather lately and decided to treat her with a special surprise. “Maybe a day trip to the beach will show her how much I appreciate her and give her a break from the mundane household chores.” He thought. He brought the idea to Sally, who smiled and quietly agreed. She drained the water from the sink and pushed the dishes aside until another time. Bob was proud of himself for noticing his wife’s unspoken need. Meanwhile, Sally hurried away to prepare for the unexpected change of plans. She began by searching for each child’s swim wear, finding them all in odd locations. Joe’s was in the kitchen. Sarah’s was in her toy box. Jack’s swimsuit was under the couch, and Sue’s was stuffed in her snow boot. She counted each one as a small victory and then moved on to assembling outfits to change into after swimming. After that, she packed lunch meat sandwiches, snacks and cold water to be consumed at the beach. In a large bag, she placed beach towels, sunscreen, water shoes, sun hats, sand toys and water blasters. After packing and preparing everything, she dressed each child, fed them breakfast, and fed the dog. Sally then summoned Bob, who packed the beach goings into the car and secured that house while Sally ushered the children to their seats. Exhausted, Sally slumped into the passenger seat and mentally prepared for the surprise adventure ahead. At the beach Bob relaxed in the sand and soaked up the sun while Sally built sand castles with the children. He was certain she would be happier and more like herself tomorrow. The day had been an easy going, family fun filled day, just as he had hoped. Once again, Bob applauded himself for being so insightful and attentive. He watched his family with admiration and reflected on the wonderful wife and mother Sally was. At the end of the day, Sally crawled into bed with one thought on her mind. “I am so tired. It would be amazing to have just one day that I don’t have to clean something, cook something or plan something. Just 24 hours to do absolutely nothing. In fact, one day where I didn’t have to make any decisions sounds wonderful.” Drained, she quickly slipped into the world of dreams. The following morning, Sally opened her eyes and instantly recalled a problem that needed a solution. Bob’s birthday was in two weeks and she struggled to come up with a viable gift idea, and time was running out. She felt it should be special and memorable because this year was the big 4-0. She wanted it to be an undoubtable declaration of her love and appreciation. Her husband was not perfect in any manner of the word, but she loved him nonetheless. She also believed everyone deserved to feel special on their birthday. After much thought, an idea hatched in her head. Skydiving! He had mentioned once that it would be cool to jump from a plane. Excitement and relief stirred inside of her as she used her phone to search for local businesses. Within minutes, she found a listing, some 40 miles away. Immediately, Sally called and booked an appointment for the next weekend. With a huge weight off her chest and a lingering secret in the air, she returned her attention to the million other things that demanded her attention. Bob was certain Sally had noticed the color drain from his face when she mentioned skydiving. However, her bouncing enthusiasm would suggest otherwise. Sure, he has mentioned once that skydiving would be fun, but that was in theory. He never dreamed he would actually do it. He had flown a few times, but jumping out of a plane was a whole nother story. He should have told Sally about his crimping fear of heights, but certain embarrassment always stopped him. What was he to do? He couldn’t tell her now and disappointed her, especially since she had already bought the ticket. “One would think being married to someone for ten years they would have a better idea of what their spouse would like.” He thought. With no other option before him, Bob plastered a smile on his face and thanked Sally for the thoughtful gift. Just when he thought it couldn’t get any worse, Sally handed over the ticket, along with one more present. Inside the beautifully wrapped gift box was a GoPro. Now he could record his experience and bring it home for the family to watch. Bob drove to the airport white knuckled and nauseated. He prayed the entire way, begging God to intervene in some way. First, he prayed for rain, surely they won’t continue in the rain. Then, he prayed his vehicle would have a mechanical failure. He prayed for the instructor to be stricken with diarrhea, and the pilot to have eaten a bad lunch. Nothing too serious, of course, just bad enough to prevent him from getting on that plane. Despite his desperate pleas, he pulled into the airfield and saw that the plane was parked and ready to go. Bob felt his knee knocking and hands shaking as he climbed aboard the aircraft. The instructor gave a brief demonstration while he strapped Bob into the parachute. He tried to listen, but his throbbing heart sounded over the man’s words. One by one, the other participants jumped from the plane. With no other place to go, the instructor pulled Bob’s arm, directing him to the gaping hole in the side of the plane. Bob started to retreat back into the belly, but the man forced him out and into a free fall. Bob cursed his wife all the way to the ground for such a despicable gift. “Never again!” he shouted as he shimmied out of the harness. He smashed the GoPro on the ground and vowed to say it was damaged during all the excitement. Later that night, Bob recapped the day’s events for his family. Everyone listened eagerly as he retold a braver, more manly happenings of events. Sally was disappointed to hear about the GoPro but was pleased that Bob had a good time. She marked it off as another successful birthday. Over dinner, she spoke to Bob about a new member of the church. She was a young girl with a baby on the way. The father was present, but the couple was struggling to make ends meet while preparing for a baby. Sally offered that maybe the young man could come work for Bob around the house to earn some extra money. Bob agreed that he could use an extra set of hands. The next day, a young man showed up at the house and Bob put him to work. The entire house had a complete makeover by the end of the week. Bob was grateful for all the help, but another cash payment would be tough. The bills piled up quickly with four kids and they didn’t have a lot to spare. Regardless, He knew that if he had to do the work alone it would have taken him months, if not longer. When the young man mentioned his engine blew on the way to work that day, Bob had the perfect solution. He had an old S10 that still ran well just sitting in his barn. It would be several more years before his kids were old enough to drive, it would be nothing for Bob to give him it to him. He hardly drove it anyway, just the occasional trip to the fishing hole and back. Bob handed him the keys and explained it was compensation for the work done that day and an advancement for another week. He watched as the boy drove away, smiling ear to ear. The young man returned home and told the young lady about the broken car and receiving the truck. Worry and relief showed on her face as he told the story. She was so happy to have a vehicle so she could get to her appointments and her husband could make it to work. It was a small truck, but enough for her small family, it appeared. With her due date quickly approaching, she urged her husband to get the car seat strapped in and ready to go. Unfamiliar with the proper way to strap a car seat in, he looked to the owner’s manual for guidance. The article provided in the manual made it clear not to put a rear-facing car seat in the front. However, the only seat in the back was a small pull down seat that sat sideways, which was also not suitable for a rear-facing car seat either. “So, where does that leave us?” The young girl asks. “That leaves us with a vehicle that is not safe to haul an infant. Our only option is to sell it and hope we can find another one.” He answered. Her excitement dwindled as she wondered how to deal with the new dilemma. “I am sure Bob meant well. He must not know a rear-facing car seat can not be installed in this type of vehicle.” The man explained. “Doesn’t Bob have children?” She asked. ” Yes, four. We will figure out something, dear, I am sure.” The young man offers. A few months later, Bob had all but forgotten about the terrible skydiving gift. He mindlessly scrolled Facebook until a listing for a Harley Davidson caught his attention. His father often said that one day he would own a Harley. It had been his lifelong dream. Bob thought back to all the sacrifices his father made being a single parent. Uncountable times his father put his needs before his own. He deserved to have at least one of his dreams come true. Bob was grateful to have such a selfless father, a trait he could relate to now that he was also a father. Pride swelled in his chest as he discussed when and where to meet with the owner of the motorcycle. One look and Bob knew he had to have it. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up. After exchanging assets, Bob loaded the Harley onto his truck and drove home. Excitement bubbled inside him at the thought of how his father would react. A short time later, Bob parked the motorcycle in his father’s driveway and called him to come out, he had a surprise. About ten minutes later, his father appeared in the doorway. Carefully, he maneuvered his walker down the ramp and across the driveway. In contrast to his body, his face and eyes lit up with vigor and youth. Tears welled in his eyes while his trembling fingers glided along the smooth, cool metal. Bob helped his father climb onto the bike and steadied it with a hand on the rear. Bob choked back the tears as a harsh reality set in. Regardless of his intended purpose, his father was too old to start riding a Harley. Bob apologized, but his father smiled even bigger. “Sure, it would have been great to have this 20 years ago, but thanks, son. It means the world to me.” That evening, Bob reflected on everything that had happened. He thought about how hard he tried to show his father his gratitude, but still managed to come up short. He had been looking at it all wrong. In fact, all he accomplished was reminding his father of his failing body and the bitter end that was soon to come. Then Bob remembered the horrid skydiving adventure. For the first time, it dawned on him how hard Sally had probably worked on that surprise. He was positive that, just like him, she had the best of intentions. But sometimes best intentions are not enough. Sometimes they do more harm than good. It required a certain level of maturity to master the slippery slope of gratitude, one that Bob had unquestionably lacked. Another reality check came to light when he recalled the beach trip. Guilt and condemnation rattled his body. He rushed to Sally and quickly explained his epiphany. Bob apologized for his lack of understanding and compassion. He urged his wife to forgive him and allow him an opportunity to show her how much she is loved and appreciated. Soon after, he called his father and expressed his new understanding. “What would make you happy, pops?” “I just want a day with you along the river like we used to do when you were a boy. Just two men fishing and watching the water go by.” “I’ll pick you up tomorrow, Pops.’
Aluminum foil. aluminum foil is not made from 100% illuminum. It is made from aluminum alloys which contain trace elements of nickel iron and silicone. It starts out in aluminum ingots called pigs. Next, it is rolled and pressed until it reaches the desired thickness. Then it is cut to the desired size specification. It was first produced in France in 1903 and is now a product that has reached every corner of the globe with the estimated consumption amount to be over 6 million tons annually.
Glass. Glass is a liquid, – almost. Glass cannot be classified as a solid nor a liquid. Instead it is called an amorphous solid. This means that it is missing the important ordered design of a solid but its structure is too rigid to be a liquid. Glass is made from silica or sand and colors are made by adding certain minerals to molten glass. For example, purple is created with magnesium and blue can be achieved with cobalt.
High heels. The popular primarily female footwear was originally made for the opposite sex. Yes indeed, they were invented by a man and for the needs of men. It is believed that long ago when sewer systems were non-existent and waste would run along the streets, these nifty shoes were used to keep your feet higher than the filth.
YKK zipper Everyone has something in their house that has a zipper on it. Whether it’s clothing, shoes, or bags we have all seen the YKK logo. What does it mean? The initials YKK stand for Yoshida Kōgyō Kabushiki gaisha (吉田工業株式会社, lit. “Yoshida Manufacturing Corporation”). It is the largest zipper manufacturer in the world.
Napkins. The first napkins were used by the Greek, it was a type of bread used to clean their fingers. The Romans frequently used two napkins, a smaller one and 6 inches and another about 18 inches. Both served different purposes and instilled different etiquettes. $964,450 is the highest price ever recorded being paid for a napkin.
Alarm Clocks Long ago before electricity was a common commodity, people would stick nails strategically into a candle for an alarm clock. As the candle burned, the wax melted and wound down to the nails. Each one would fall on the metal candle holder below, starling the person to awakeness. Other methods used in the past were window knockers. People would pay individuals to knock on their window or throw a pebble to wake them at certain times.
Toothbrush. The toothbrush we know today was invented in 1938. Archaeologists have found many different forms of toothbrushes around the world. Some were known to use animal hairs for bristles and bones for handles, others used frayed twigs and branches. Today most manufacturers use nylon bristles with 100s of different variations and options.
Salt. Salt has origins that can be traced back to the beginning of mankind. It has always held some kind of value throughout history and in every country in the world. It has been used as currency many times in human history and will continue to be important to everyday society. There are 13 different salts that are edible, each one offering a unique flavor and mineral content.
Pillow. Each person has their preference on the firmness of their pillow. Some like a firm hard pillow and some want a soft plush one. Regardless of the feel, all humans seem to find comfort in a pillow. Whether it’s the stone pillows from the elite of Egypt or the wooden Japanese pillows, they can be traced back to over 9000 years ago.
Mouthwash. The common household brand Listerine was originally invented to clean floors and as an antiseptic after surgery. The first patent for mouth wash was submitted in the 1800’s. Different versions of mouthwash can be traced back to ancient times. Several reliable texts document using things such as salt and vinegar, goats milk, and concoctions of different herbs.
The echoes of my inner child reverberate through my soul. Her story is etched into my bones. Tucked away and out of sight but proof of distant days. A memory long since forgotten, yet fragments of essence remain. Tiny pieces of who I once was entwined into what I am today. I close my eyes and there she stands just before me. Mentally I take note of her features and write her a letter, It reads:
Dear little girl that whispers in my head, I have never seen snow white hair and big blue eyes quite like yours. It appears to be the whitest of whites and bluest of blues. Your tiny ears and button nose are mirrored on our daughters. It is funny how I can see pieces of you in their reflection. Your big bright smile that demands attention and spreads infectiously. Your deformed toes that most would never know are not quite perfect. You carry around a heart so big it could contain the whole universe. A heart so pure that always has good intentions.
I love your innocence that you feel is stolen. I love your caring and nurturing nature, always happy to help and eager to please. I admire how you plan ahead and are always preparing. I adore the way you are so empathetic and put everyone’s needs ahead of your own. I have great regard for your unwillingness to give up and see the best in people first. That is an attribute that seems lacking in others today.
I cherish your tendency to use people’s favorite colors as a way to honor them, our daughter does the same thing. I adore your imagination and how it takes you to new places. I love that you can get lost in a book and transport yourself into a story. Books always make better friends anyhow. They are always close and willing to listen, They never complain or judge harshly.
My favorite thing about you is that you enjoy writing. Such a simple pleasure but one that is conveniently enjoyed. It is by far the easiest and most doable hobby as a mother. I would be lost without it. Although it does seem meaningless at times. Nothing more than something to pass the time, like watching a movie or enjoying a sunset. On the other hand what would life be if we didn’t take time to enjoy little moments like these? Dull and boring I suppose.
This letter is a forever reminder you are a sweet, lovable and a good little girl. Never see yourself as inferior because you are more than enough, even if you don’t feel like it. I love you just the way you are and are so proud of you. Every day remember who comes first. Never quit dreaming and believing in yourself, everything else will fall into place.
Forever Love, Your older self.
What would a letter to your younger self look like?
It is amazing the transformation a woman goes through during pregnancy. Each day upon waking she must adjust to a different weight, a bigger belly, a different walk and balance. Not once after she conceives will she wake up exactly the same as she was the day before.
She learns to live with new struggles like bouts of nausea and favorite foods turning repulsive. The harsh realizations of not being able to pick something off the floor, or a favorite outfit no longer fitting. New aches and pains from growing pressure from deep within. Unfamiliar worries and fears as thoughts of the future always play through her head.
Her entire body chemistry changes resulting in physical changes. These changes affect the organization and structural makeup of the brain, causing her to be more moody and forgetful. The changes affect her equilibrium, heart and liver function, blood flow and cardiovascular systems. Along with these chemical changes, physically, her organs are slowly displacing. Almost every organ shifts an astounding 45 degrees by the end of pregnancy.
Then after 9 months of continuous sacrifices of her body she endures the tremendous pain of childbirth. Her body opens up to an average of 13 inches as bones separate to make room for the infant to transverse the birth canal. It has been said that there is no true comparison to childbirth because in any other such instant the person would perish. It is God’s great design and the mother’s love and determination that brings the child into the world, and allows her to push past the breaking point.
In an instant, she is no longer pregnant. The kicks and pokes that she came to expect and count, ceases to exist. The belly that she was accustomed to accommodating is now gone. The only thing that has become familiar, now is absent. The essence of life inside of her is at once replaced with an unsettling void. Vacancy lies heavy in her belly as her mind scrambles to make sense of the tiny bundle before her. Love flows like a raging river but so does her hormones.
It takes a moment for the body to realize and adjust as vital organs shift back into their intended places. It takes even longer for the mind to catch up chemically. Once again every aspect of her internal working changes. From biological to sleep schedule, circulatory system to cardiovascular, all functions have to find a new rhythm to operate. All this is happening while her body uses every available resource to heal itself from inside out. During this time she is still expected to feed and nurture the newborn, which she does with joy and eagerness.
Oh how desperately awful that void can feel when it once was filled with such preciousness. How confusing all the happenings can appear when each day is a new and different challenge. Gone is the baby bump and what is left is a woman that is not the same as she was before and never will be again. It can not be expected of her to know how to act or what to do because she is a different person everyday. Each morning the face staring back in new.
So be patient with the new mothers, they are trying their best I am sure. Sometimes the whole story doesn’t show on the surface and things are harder than they seem. In-between wishing her blessings, remember to offer a helping hand. We should all be in this together as only mothers understand.
I live in a small town at the bottom of Ohio. Naturally , my community was part of the famous Bible belt that stretched across America. I heard the name of God early and most everyone in town went to church. We were all raised with a sense of morals and respect. We were taught to regard our elders and pray before we eat. I envisioned that one day my children would be a part of a church in our hometown.
In my twenties, my husband and I tried several churches in the area and came up with the same results. The environments we encountered were not welcoming like we had hoped. Instead, we were treated like outsiders and made to feel as if everyone was holier than thou. We searched and searched for a church home all the while praying to God for guidance as to where he wanted us to be. Each time we were met with an over righteous congregation that would likely turn Jesus himself away if he was to come knocking.
Now, before you stop reading, I am not trying to bash a specific denomination or preacher. I am not saying all churches are bad or Christians are condemning in nature. I am talking to the families that have had the same experiences of feeling not welcome in small town churches. There is hope, don’t give up. You don’t have to force yourself to sit through sermons while ignoring side glances from your neighbor. You don’t have to choke down the feelings of inadequacy imposed by others just to hear the Word.
In my opinion a prostitute should be able to walk into a Sunday morning service without any snarky looks. A biker, covered in tattoos, should have a seat without scoffs in his direction. An addict should be able to walk through those doors without disgust reaching others’ faces. What better place for the lost to be then in his Father’s house and amongst uplifting people. But that is not how it is in small town churches, is it? The moment an atypical person is seen they receive furrowed eyebrows and down slanting of eyes.
What people seem to forget or lack the capacity to understand is how hard it has to be for that person just to show up that day. Maybe they prayed for strength to withstand the scrutiny knowing the difficulties that lie ahead. Maybe they said they were going to attend service and this is the first time in 50 attempts that they got out of their vehicle and walked in. Maybe this is their last stop before self destruction.
What happens most of the time is that person feels alienated and never goes back. Why go somewhere where they are going to feel broken and lacking. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying anyone should condone the behavior of prostitution or drug use. All I am saying is finding a church home can be very difficult and discouraging and the encounters along the way can exacerbate it.
I am now 30 with three kids ages 11,6 and 4 months. After a total of ten years of trying and attending more than 10 churches reality hit hard. And I don’t mean we went to a handful of Sunday services and then wrote each one off for this reason or that. We walked into each one hoping and praying it would be our church home. After months of attending services regularly, God would always move us somewhere else.
Finally, I came to the conclusion that God had different plans for me. He didn’t want me sitting on a pew every weekend, likely falling into a lukewarm Christian mindset. He wanted me to deep dive into His word and gain a deeper understanding that most people lack. I started gathering my family together every weekend and together we studied the Bible. I cannot express the amount of change that has taken place in my life since that moment.
I begin by doing a Sunday school lesson with the children, followed by listening to a sermon from The Shepherd Chapel with my husband. Not only has our knowledge and understanding grown to astounding levels but so has our love and dedication to our Lord and Savior. It’s one thing to sit in church and listen to a sermon. It is a whole other experience to coordinate a Bible study and be hands on with each lesson. It anchors you into reality as the teachings become etched into memory as a family event. The best thing I could have ever done is start having ‘church’ at home.
For anyone struggling like I was, just remember Matthew 18:20, “When two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Don’t let the negativity of others stop you from indulging in the letter God has written for you. Don’t let the devil provide you with an excuse not to take your salvation into your own hands. God meets you where you are and lifts you higher than your mind can conceive, you just have to let Him in. You don’t wait until you’re better to get to know God. You get to know God and he makes you better.
