“I figured a Bible would be a cute, really pure gift,” she said. “And knowing my boyfriend, I knew he would love it even more if I customized it.”Each page featured handwritten notes, drawings, and designs crafted by the thoughtful teen.
Needless to say, the gift went over big with Garrett. But after Reagan posted her handiwork on Twitter, the thoughtful teen's Scripture-inspired artwork earned thousands of fans!my bf said he wanted a bible for Christmas so i spent 3 months decorating every. single. page. happy with how it turned out though :) pic.twitter.com/2vLQuBwYR5
— ray (@reaganlee17) December 25, 2016
“Dude…this is love,” wrote one Twitter user. "Beautiful gift. Well done!" said another.Reagan did receive some negative comments by some who were offended she drew on a Bible. But the Bible journaling trend is actually becoming quite popular. RELATED: Mom of triplets shares how she turned to bible journaling after her baby's miraculous appearance
"Brain scans of people involved in activities like coloring reveal that as we focus, our heart rate slows and our brain waves enter a more relaxed state. Over time, by engaging in Scripture or prayer art-journaling, it may become easier for us to focus and pay attention in other areas of our lives as well."And isn't the whole point of spending time with the Bible to immerse yourself in God's Word? To let it soak in and saturate your soul? Yet, how often these days do people, let alone teens, pull out an actual physical Bible?
"Breaking out the art supplies and opening God’s Word takes us back to a simpler, less stressful time, and it reminds us of what it is like just to be a child in God’s presence," says Tricia McCary Rhodes, co-founder of New Hope Church in San Diego, California. "Simply put, because of our incessant use of technology, even for Bible reading and prayer, our brains are being rewired so that it is almost impossible to spend time in quiet with God. In a buzzy, flashy, screen-filled age, we struggle to just be still and know. When we do try, our minds flit here and there, and we feel so anxious and restless that we soon give up. We need ways to counteract the negative impact of digital life, and Scripture or prayer art journaling does just that."These days, it's impressive to see someone so young making God's word such a priority. Well done, Reagan!