Mississippi Mother Shares How Bible Journaling Helped Her Through Son's Cancer Treatment
A mother in Mississippi has detailed how her hobby of Bible-journaling led her through a difficult time in her life, adding that she hopes other people may find solace in her artwork as they encounter life's struggles.
MaryEsther Murphy Elam of Starkville, Mississippi, recently shared images of her Bible journaling in a Facebook post, explaining how she would draw colorful, vivid illustrations in the margin of her Bible to pass the time while her son underwent treatment for stage four liver cancer at the age of three.
Elam had started the practice of Bible journaling through her local Bible study, and soon created pages of colorful drawings that included quotes from different Bible verses, as well as illustrations of hope for her son's recovery from cancer.
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"All the ladies are aware that I like to draw, so one of the ladies, Rachelle McKibben, asked me if I had ever heard of Bible Journaling," Elam recalled to WDAM-TV of the first time she was introduced to Bible journaling. "At the time, I had not, so she told me, in her encouraging way, that I would love it and would be awesome at it."
Elam added in a Facebook post sharing her illustrations that she used her Bible drawaings to feel closer to God.
"I began drawing my thoughts as I studied God's word and begged him daily to heal my son," she wrote. "During this period of time in my life, I needed God so desperately, and journaling provided a way for me to communicate with Him daily."
"Journaling is a way that I can encourage others to get to know Him," Elam added. "It is my hope that my journaling may inspire you to open your Bible daily and talk to God and then continue to tell others about Him!"
Elam added in another Facebook post from Saturday that she believes God chose her to do something "extraordinary" in his name.
"God chose ordinary people to do extraordinary things for him! There is no doubt that God's hands are all over this! Thank you all so much for your support, yet again! Just please be praying for this to reach those that may be lost and not know Jesus," Elam wrote.
Elam's album of her drawings has received over 40,000 likes in the past few days.
