Beep. Buzz. Beep. Buzz. Jack’s phone alarm goes off, and the vibrating of it makes the phone push right off the nightstand. The phone plonks down on a stack of dirty laundry. The early 5:30 a.m. rise did not bother him like every other morning, because this morning it was his birthday. Even though Jack is in his mid-twenties, he still gets excited for this special day.
Jack rolls out of bed, grabs some leftover pizza from the fridge for breakfast, does a quick shave, walks the dog, drops off the rent check, and heads to work. A couple times throughout his workday he becomes almost like a child as he thinks, “I wonder what Mom got me for my birthday?! I can’t wait to have her chicken alfredo and that German chocolate cake that oozes over with frosting!”
Jack sits down to have lunch with his coworkers, and his sister from Alabama texts, “Happy birthday, brother! Jesus loves you!” Jack smirks as he thinks, “Jesus, whatever.” He texts back, “Thanks, Susie, I love you!” Another text rolls in from Mom. “Hi sweetie, Happy Birthday! So happy that God gave me YOU for my son!” He rolls his eyes, yet with kind fingertips Jack replies, “Thanks, Mom. Can’t wait to see you!”
Jack’s shift ends, and with an eager hop he gets into his car and makes his way to his mom’s. As Nirvana plays over his dusty speakers, Jack starts to think about his father, who passed from suicide when Jack was just ten years old. “I wonder what it would have been like if he was still here . . .” Jack’s heart sinks as he takes the last few drags from his cigarette. The smell of those Marlboros always reminds him of his dad. He pulls into his childhood driveway, and his mom is practically jumping off the deck with joy. Jack’s excitement returns as quick as a heartbeat.
Jack smiles, turns down Cobain, and quickly pops a mint. He knows his mom dislikes his music and is not very fond of him still smoking. This does not bother Jack, though. He knows his mom has his best interests at heart.
Dinner comes and passes; it is scrumptious as always. Then comes the birthday gift. Jack’s inner child is definitely front and center as he grabs the bright blue gift bag that has way too many ribbons of dark blue and bright white. He breaks through the packaging and unwraps the gift.
Jack knows instantly what this is. He pulls deep down into the core of his being to grab his happy voice and looks up, saying, “Wow, Mom, a Bible,” with the fakest smile on his face. Jack thinks in the back of his mind, “What the heck am I going to do with this?” He doesn’t let the annoying gift bother him, though. He and his mom then have some of that warm cake with vanilla ice cream as they watch the golden sun set.
As Jack got home and stepped into his apartment, he greeted his sweet dog and put that blue bag (with the Bible in it) on a high shelf in his hallway closet. He never took it down. Five years went by, and his sweet mother passed. He came home from the funeral to the same apartment, with every possible feeling floating in his inner being.
He took off his suit coat and pulled open the closet. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the bright blue bag from five birthdays ago. He took a step back not only with his feet but his mind too. He stood up on his tiptoes, reached far back with his hands, and pulled forward that gift bag.
Tears welled in his eyes as he grabbed the leather-bound Bible. His mother had inscribed his name in the lower left corner; Jack never noticed that until this day. Jack made his way to his small dining room table and opened the Good Book.
A letter was inside the Bible, another thing Jack had not seen. He opened the cream envelope and read the note inside:
Sweet Jack,
My lovely boy who I love more than anything in the whole world (aside from Susan), you are the most talented young man full of compassion, love, kindness, and joy. I know there have been a few hiccups along the way in your life, but nothing is too big for God. Nothing.
Jesus loves you, Jack. He loves you more than you will ever know. He is not mad at you. I am obviously not mad at you. Dad was not mad at you either. And with what happened with your dad, that was not on Jesus, my sweet son. That was Dad’s free will. No shame, no guilt.
The words in the Book that is in the midst of you right now, Jack, are life-giving. If you take time to know Jesus and His Word (the Bible), it will radically transform you. Jesus changes everything.
I know you so well that I realize it might be years before you actually read this letter and potentially the Bible. If you do choose to pick up this beautiful Book, here’s a little guidance in how to start reading it.
Where do you start reading the Bible? Read the book of John and read some of the Psalms simultaneously. Perhaps one chapter of John and one Psalm a day.
What happens if something you read does not make sense? A lot of things will not make sense right away. This is okay! Take your questions and turn that into studying the Bible. Get your hands on a good commentary; that will help.
What if you skip a whole bunch of days reading the Bible? No worries! Just pick up where you left off. Jesus is not legalistic.
Can you talk to Jesus? YES! Tell Jesus everything on your heart, including the things you read about in the Bible. Tell Him all the things that excite, confuse, and even make you upset. Do not hold anything back from Him.
Will Jesus speak to you back? YES! When Jesus speaks, He will speak with the Bible or the principles of the Word. The more you are in the Bible, the more confident you will be of His voice. Also, Jesus will speak with the tone of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). He will never speak with condemnation, guilt, or shame.
What if you do not feel Jesus? You may not always feel the Lord, but that does not mean He is not there. Trust the Bible and what it says, not your feelings.
What kinds of things does the Bible say? The Bible says so many things! Here are a few of my favorites:
You are loved: Ephesians 3:14–19
When you make a big oopsie (aka sin): 1 John 1:9
When you are sad: Psalm 34
When you are angry: Genesis 4:6–7
Needing guidance: Isaiah 55
Needing reassurance: Joshua 1:9
You can have salvation through Jesus: Romans 10:9–10
With love, Mom.
Jack, with continued watery eyes, kissed his mother’s note. He started reading John 1 and Psalm 1 that very night and has never stopped reading the Bible. If you are not sure where to start in the Bible, just like Jack, do what his mom says. These words from Jack’s mom can be for you too. My sweet friends, Jesus loves you more than you will ever know.
Blessings, Ashley
