Psalm 23 was the first passage of scripture I memorized. I remember I was four, and I had both the honor as well as the terror of reciting it in front of hundreds of pastors. My grandpa had worked with me for countless hours to not only memorize but understand each word. There was one part that no matter how hard I tried I mixed up...to this day I still stumble at the same place. However, that morning staring into the sea of faces every word rolled off my tongue perfectly (Well, except for the fact that I couldn't say Lord so it came out Lerd.).
My grandpa was a precious man. I miss him everyday but I still feel him with me. For the things he taught are engraved upon my heart. I feel like God may have given him special insight into all that I would face.
Through the dark seasons my heart has been shattered, searching, angry, confused but when God's words come to remembrance they have always breathed life, healing, clarity, and peace.
I've taught my children scripture from the moment they were born but if I'm honest, I've failed at making sure they memorize. I know the value. Still, I haven't been faithful to do it well.
If your a mom - I want to encourage and remind you to teach your children to hide God's word in their heart. I know many days, especially with little ones, you're just trying to survive. But the gift of memorizing scripture may be the very thing they need to survive forty years later.
The word is living and active.
It doesn't return void.
It's truth.
It changes hearts.
As I waited last month to see if our babies would live I found so much silence. There's not much else to do other than think, when you're on bed rest. Day and night I was flooded with verses that meant something special to me. Verses from Peter, Isaiah, Proverbs, Jeremiah, Psalms but that first passage my grandpa made sure was hidden in my heart repeated throughout the smothering nights. Those were the words I most need to remember.
This song gets me every time.
Psalm 23
My grandpa was a precious man. I miss him everyday but I still feel him with me. For the things he taught are engraved upon my heart. I feel like God may have given him special insight into all that I would face.
Through the dark seasons my heart has been shattered, searching, angry, confused but when God's words come to remembrance they have always breathed life, healing, clarity, and peace.
I've taught my children scripture from the moment they were born but if I'm honest, I've failed at making sure they memorize. I know the value. Still, I haven't been faithful to do it well.
If your a mom - I want to encourage and remind you to teach your children to hide God's word in their heart. I know many days, especially with little ones, you're just trying to survive. But the gift of memorizing scripture may be the very thing they need to survive forty years later.
The word is living and active.
It doesn't return void.
It's truth.
It changes hearts.
As I waited last month to see if our babies would live I found so much silence. There's not much else to do other than think, when you're on bed rest. Day and night I was flooded with verses that meant something special to me. Verses from Peter, Isaiah, Proverbs, Jeremiah, Psalms but that first passage my grandpa made sure was hidden in my heart repeated throughout the smothering nights. Those were the words I most need to remember.
This song gets me every time.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Until then...
Jessie
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