It didn’t appear as much of a gift when I first received it. In fact, I might’ve even scoffed when it was handed to me.
Oddly enough, I can tell you everything about my surroundings when this little green Bible was placed in my hand. The location: The Oval at the University of Montana campus. The weather: It was a warm Spring day. The grass was green. The sky was bright blue. And there was a worm crawling in the grass centimeters from my left foot.
Still, with all of that, I couldn’t tell you anything about the person who handed me the little green Bible except that he was male. Nor could I tell you why I kept it. In fact, I still have it decades later.
For the longest time, I never read it or even opened it. Yet, I never threw it away. Oddly enough, it always remained with me on the nightstand of every bed I slept in from the time I received it to the day I finally turned to it for help.
Like the day I received it, I can recall all the sites, smells, and sounds around me. I can also recall the heaviness of the darkness that weighed me down and made it near impossible to stretch out my arm. In a last attempt to hold onto life, I reached for the little green Bible and pulled it in.
I opened the Good Book and read the first passage my eyes fell upon searching for a sign of Hope.
I don’t truly remember reading the whole parable. I just recall reading about Peter getting out of the boat and walking on water until he became afraid, started to sink, and cried out “Lord, save me!” — and was rescued.
It gave me just enough of a push to find the strength to get out of bed and turn on the television.
It was days before the universal remote, so I kept it on Channel 9. Soon, a television evangelist came on the air and began to preach. Too tired to get up and change the station, I just sat and watched. The music ended and as the congregation settled, the pastor opened the Scriptures and began to read.
Much to my surprise, it was the same exact passage!
It inspired me enough to shower for the first time in days and go to Church for the first time in months. I went to my childhood Parish, OLPH, and sat in the back. I listened to the first two readings and the Responsorial Psalm. Finally, the priest began to read the Gospel — and again it was the same.
Today, I know the passage as Matthew 14:22. Many of you may recognize the scene from the Season 3 Finale of The Chosen.
Like Peter, I took my eyes off Christ. Instead, I focused on the storm that surrounded me and quickly began to sink. In despair, I reached out for the Lord, the Logos, the Word Made Flesh — and was rescued.
I can’t say I jettisoned forward into a saintly lifestyle. My “Road to Emmaus” has been long and winding, and I continue to stumble time and time again.
However, I often wonder if my journey would have ever begun if someone didn’t place the tiny green Bible in my hand?
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James is the author of Corporation YOU: A Business Plan for the Soul, The Christmas Save, and two children’s books: The Second Prince and Klaus: The Gift-giver to ALL!
As a writer, James’s appearances include Newsweek, The Inside Success Show, Bob Salter (CBS Radio), Mike Siegel, Mancow, and more.
Beyond writing, James worked with At-Risk youth in Southern California for over six years. His contributions to the classroom — featured on local television and in the LA Daily News and the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader — earned him the honors of “Teacher of the Year”. James was also twice honored by a CASDA Scholar as the teacher who had the greatest influence on that student. As an educator, James also appeared twice on America Live with Megyn Kelly.
Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write. Besides his books, you can follow his musing on this blog Corporation You.
To contact James or book an interview, please contact Mark of Goldman/McCormick PR at (516) 639-0988 or Mark@goldmanmccormick.com.
Therese M. Gigante,
Corporation YOU 