CREATIVE DISAPPOINTMENT - THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK

 Working with Chinese students at Ball State University has brought my sister, Peggy Cadwell, into contact with many Chinese families as well. Many of them are communists, since anyone who teaches in China must belong to the Party. One of these families, visiting in Muncie, wanted their young son to experience American education and placed him in Heritage Christian School for a week. Seeing all the other students with Bibles caused him to ask for one for himself.

Peggy was glad to honor that request. She searched for a children’s Bible with lots of pictures and a colorful cover, but was disappointed when all she could find was a Bible with a solid black cover. The boy eagerly accepted the Bible  and started to read constantly.

When it came time for the family to return to China, the boy brought the book back to Peggy. “No,” she said, “it’s yours. I want you to have it as a gift.”
The boy turned to his father for permission and the Chinese professor hesitated, knowing it would probably be confiscated at customs. He finally nodded that his son could take it. His approval wasn’t the final hurdle. They still had to get the Bible into China. About two weeks later, Peggy received an email. The Bible had been allowed through customs, simply because it was only a plain, black book. Her young friend was still reading it.

Peggy bowed her head and thanked the Lord that she had not been able to find the colorful Children’s Bible she had been seeking.