Walking In His Steps
Let me illustrate how an old book (Charles Sheldon's 1896 best-seller, "In His Steps") discarded by First Baptist Church in 1983 triggered this unusual process. Mentioning a few of the dates on the library card along with my wife's cryptic commentaries on curious connections should suffice. (Sheldon's book, by the way, originated the saying "What would Jesus do?")
February 11, 1955--Caroline Hinson is the first to borrow the new book. "Hmmm. That's the same year you and I each received new Bibles from our parents." She knows, still having the flyleaves from both our childhood Bibles.
February 12, 1956--Conway's beloved poetess, Betty Fraser, reads the book. "On February 12, 1992, I left the hospital after having brain surgery."
April 19, 1959--Mrs. Joe Varner becomes the ninth reader. "Mother had been dead almost one month."
December 10, 1961--Mary Owen makes her third of four checkouts. "Jenny was due on December 10, 1972, and Mary Owen checked it out exactly 11 years before. That same month my brother and I decided we couldn't live any longer with Daddy. Daddy was hurt so badly in the car wreck that killed Mother that he couldn't take care of us any longer."
October 4, 1964--Mrs. Bill Purtle makes the 27th checkout. "We left Jenny at Conway Human Development Center around 10 a.m. exactly 12 years later. And after precisely 19 more years to the day and hour, we were speaking at her funeral." She ponders this thoughtfully, but not tearfully. Nine years make a difference in how many tears need be shed.
May 16, 1965--The 28th and final checkout. "Hmmm. I was graduating from Crossett High School and would begin dating you one month later. 1965 was a good year."
January 30, 1983--The book is discarded. "We had been members of First Baptist for six months, but I never saw that book. We regularly checked out "Arabella the Horse," and I sure wish I could find that one."
When my wife asked Mary Owen Diles if she remembered the book, Mary exclaimed, "I loved that book as a young girl!" Knowing how Mary loves old things, books especially, my wife knew she would love having the old volume bearing four instances of her teenage signature-and the record of Christian women doing well.
But my wife's recollection of critical details being what it is, she's forgotten to deliver the book.
But the tracks we leave in life don't fade as quickly as good intentions gone astray. Like relics turned up by the archaeologist's spade, our footprints may unexpectedly be unearthed, revealing where we've been. What would Jesus have us do? Walk in His steps--and make paths in good places.
Copyright 2004 James McAlister
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