Remember HERE where I talked about my goals for this summer? Well, today--is an update!
A little background info will help....
Our church started a SMALL Christian school when I was in 4th grade. Each month we'd have verses from the Bible we had to memorize. The 1st year they were REALLLY tough on us and had to GO DOWN to the Principal's office and say the verses to HIM. (He was/is my dad but it still waaaas TERRIBLE. He was super strict on KNOWING THEM WELL)
Over time, they eased up and you were able to say them to your teacher.
Fast forward years later, and I'm the teacher. Verses were done EACH day in my class. They worked on them and we went over them and over them. Each month they'd have about 15-20 verses and each day they'd memorize them one by one. The next day they'd go RIGHT back to the top and start over. And again, and again. So by the end of the month they'd know their verses WELL. (Guess I do have a bit of my dad in me!)
As most of you know, I didn't teach last school year. And I realized something was LACKING in myself. Scripture memory. Then, I got pregnant, and FEAR gripped me.
This is my blog and I'm going to be VERY honest. As most of you know, my husband's family is horse and buggy Mennonite. They had strict rules they have to go by and I'm forever asking my husband...WHY THIS RULE..and WHY THAT RULE?
Then, I got pregnant. AND my fear was...this child will one day come to me and ask ME the same questions I'm asking my husband. Questions about dress, driving cars, and HOW to GET to Heaven. Plus, little cousins will be playing with each other and I KNOW my children will come home and ask, "WHY don't we do "THIS" like them?" Or, "Am I going to Heaven because I don't do THIS like they do?" "Mommy, they say THIS is how you get to Heaven...is that true?"
And so, as when fear grips anyone, the 1st thing I did was FREAK OUT. I couldn't do it. I DO NOT have the answers to this. HOW was I going to answer. QUICK. Get in the CAR and take them to my parents. They ALWAYS know the right thing to say.
BUT THEN, I realized I did know the answer. Our family has the Bible. God's WORDS written down for ALL to see. There was NO need to fear. Because I had the answers. And when my children had questions about things...I could TAKE them TO the Bible.
And, so, I FREAKED OUT again. MY WHOLE LIFE, I had been IN the Bible. 4th -12th grade Christian school. A BIBLE COLLEGE. Teaching in a CHRISTIAN SCHOOL for 7 years. Pastor's kid my WHOLE LIFE.
Now. At home. With NO one over me to really KNOW the Bible.
Great. Just what I needed. AND speed dial to the great Bible-knowers was NOT going to cut it!
So, this summer, I have begun to memorize Scripture. Again. Let me tell you people, it's WAAAAY easier when you are a kid and NOT an adult.
I get mad at myself cause I remember in grade school working on verses for 30 mins and having all 10 of them done and memorized. Now, 30 mins and I have the 1st line memorized.
So, this summer, I've been working on Psalms 91. And without looking, here are the 1st 9 verses I've learned. (taking me a MONTH to learn 9) Ugh. Where is my 7th grade memory??
Those who go to God most high shall be protected by the Almighty.
I will say to my Lord, You are my place of safety and protection, You are my God and I trust you.
God will save you from hidden traps and deadly diseases.
He will cover you with his feathers and under His wings you can hide. His truth will be your shield and protection.
You will not fear danger by night, or an arrow during the day.
You will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark, or sickness that strikes at noon.
At your side one thousand people may die, or ten thousand right beside you, but you will not be hurt.
You will only watch and see the wicked punished.
The Lord is your protection. You have made God most high your place of safety.
A little background info will help....
Our church started a SMALL Christian school when I was in 4th grade. Each month we'd have verses from the Bible we had to memorize. The 1st year they were REALLLY tough on us and had to GO DOWN to the Principal's office and say the verses to HIM. (He was/is my dad but it still waaaas TERRIBLE. He was super strict on KNOWING THEM WELL)
Over time, they eased up and you were able to say them to your teacher.
Fast forward years later, and I'm the teacher. Verses were done EACH day in my class. They worked on them and we went over them and over them. Each month they'd have about 15-20 verses and each day they'd memorize them one by one. The next day they'd go RIGHT back to the top and start over. And again, and again. So by the end of the month they'd know their verses WELL. (Guess I do have a bit of my dad in me!)
As most of you know, I didn't teach last school year. And I realized something was LACKING in myself. Scripture memory. Then, I got pregnant, and FEAR gripped me.
This is my blog and I'm going to be VERY honest. As most of you know, my husband's family is horse and buggy Mennonite. They had strict rules they have to go by and I'm forever asking my husband...WHY THIS RULE..and WHY THAT RULE?
Then, I got pregnant. AND my fear was...this child will one day come to me and ask ME the same questions I'm asking my husband. Questions about dress, driving cars, and HOW to GET to Heaven. Plus, little cousins will be playing with each other and I KNOW my children will come home and ask, "WHY don't we do "THIS" like them?" Or, "Am I going to Heaven because I don't do THIS like they do?" "Mommy, they say THIS is how you get to Heaven...is that true?"
And so, as when fear grips anyone, the 1st thing I did was FREAK OUT. I couldn't do it. I DO NOT have the answers to this. HOW was I going to answer. QUICK. Get in the CAR and take them to my parents. They ALWAYS know the right thing to say.
BUT THEN, I realized I did know the answer. Our family has the Bible. God's WORDS written down for ALL to see. There was NO need to fear. Because I had the answers. And when my children had questions about things...I could TAKE them TO the Bible.
And, so, I FREAKED OUT again. MY WHOLE LIFE, I had been IN the Bible. 4th -12th grade Christian school. A BIBLE COLLEGE. Teaching in a CHRISTIAN SCHOOL for 7 years. Pastor's kid my WHOLE LIFE.
Now. At home. With NO one over me to really KNOW the Bible.
Great. Just what I needed. AND speed dial to the great Bible-knowers was NOT going to cut it!
So, this summer, I have begun to memorize Scripture. Again. Let me tell you people, it's WAAAAY easier when you are a kid and NOT an adult.
I get mad at myself cause I remember in grade school working on verses for 30 mins and having all 10 of them done and memorized. Now, 30 mins and I have the 1st line memorized.
So, this summer, I've been working on Psalms 91. And without looking, here are the 1st 9 verses I've learned. (taking me a MONTH to learn 9) Ugh. Where is my 7th grade memory??
Those who go to God most high shall be protected by the Almighty.
I will say to my Lord, You are my place of safety and protection, You are my God and I trust you.
God will save you from hidden traps and deadly diseases.
He will cover you with his feathers and under His wings you can hide. His truth will be your shield and protection.
You will not fear danger by night, or an arrow during the day.
You will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark, or sickness that strikes at noon.
At your side one thousand people may die, or ten thousand right beside you, but you will not be hurt.
You will only watch and see the wicked punished.
The Lord is your protection. You have made God most high your place of safety.
So, there you have what I've been working on for a month. S-L-O-W-L-Y. Ever so slowly. BUT, when the time comes for Little E to ask questions, I'm going to be ready. Sword in hand showing him what God's WORDS say to US!
4 comments:
I love Psalm 91. It was my floor theme the year before you arrived at NCU. I had the first few verses memorized back then, but these days I struggle to recall them. Makes me mad, as I grew up under just about the exact same circumstances as you did.
Psalm 91 is my LIFE chapter. :) seriously...read in my bible the dates that I have read it again and again. :)
Worst year of my life = THAT CHAPTER!
You will make a great mom!
Rachel,
I loved your post. You can never go wrong by hiding God's Word in your heart. You walk by faith and not by sight. I love you.
Marmee
♥ LOVE this! Seriously!
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