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Once you wrap your brain around scrapbooking about yourself, you can find Book of Me scrapbooking ideas just about anywhere.  I discovered one yesterday morning in church.

The minister is working his way through a sermon series on “Indispensable Relationships”, based on Dr. Leonard Sweet’s book of the same name.  And while the book (and obviously the sermon itself) is Bible-based, I think the concept could be applied to anyone’s situation, regardless of one’s chosen spiritual following.

Dr. Sweet’s book (and thus, the sermon series), uses eleven figures from the Bible to highlight key personal attributes that make up “God’s Dream Team” for one’s life.  According to Amazon, the book encourages you to not only seek out such people, but to find your place in the lives of those around you.  Interesting concept.

The sermon focused on the biblical character of Deborah, a prophetess & judge from the book of Judges (specifically Judges 4:1-10).  I’ll admit to not really knowing the story too well, and being a little hazy on the actual political details of the battle(s).  Thank goodness for Wikipedia:

The victory to which the Bible refers is the victory of the Israelites over the Egyptian supporting forces of Sisera the general of Jabin the king of Hazor. Barak agreed to this only after Deborah agreed to accompany him into battle. Judges 4:9 recounts Deborah’s assent to Barak’s request: “And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kadesh.”

The key idea – and relationship attribute – to take away from this character is one of a “Back Coverer”, as in who’s “got your back”?  The minister offered several examples of when you might see examples of this attribute in people in your life.

• When someone says, “I will pray for you.”
• When someone encourages others to listen to you or to take action
• When someone guards your blind side, and takes up after your shortcomings (we all have them!)
• When a running back runs interference for the quarterback
• When someone stands up for the need of another, such as through charitable works
• someone who acts with the ethic of caring and sheltering another

As I listened to these examples of how to uncover the “Deborah” in those around us, I thought about what an interesting Book of Me layout that would make.  So I encourage you to dig deep into your memories, and uncover your own Deborah.

• Who stands by your side and has ‘got your back’?
• Who takes up your cause and champions it as their own?
• Who helps you find your own courage to stand up for your beliefs?
• And when have you been a Deborah?

I also encourage you to be aware of noteworthy personality attributes of other book characters you ‘meet’ – whether biblical or in your favorite novel.  When have you recognized those characteristics in those around you?  This concept would make an interesting theme album – character attributes brought to life, in your life.  I’d love to hear what you come up with.