Why We Memorize

I LOVE memorizing scripture with my little ones. Truth be told, when it comes to memorizing scripture I completely lack creativity. But no need here, because our little treasures have this natural way of making all things fun.

Currently we are memorizing psalm 19 together as a family.

Psalm 19:5 goes like this..

"It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course..."

Reesie's version...

"It is like a bridegroom coming out of his cham-burger!" And the crowd roars with laughter.

Then Hal, leads us on,

"Like a champion rejoicing to run his horse."

The funny part to me is that they are just doing their best to talk and they have no idea why it's all so funny, but they laugh when I laugh.

Sometimes there are words that just sound funny to the kids and so they find themselves laughing through the words. And I love their joy so I just jump right into the laughter.

God's Word can sometimes have a reputation of being boring, but once you get into it, you'll find that it's impossible to ever again deem The Word Of God Boring. This past week alone we have read of a man who had a stake driven through his head, armies of 300 hundred defeating an army of tens of thousands, and a man who with his bare hands pulling together two giant pillars and knocking over a building that killed thousands of God's enemies all at once.

It's adventure to my boy, and kinda gross to the girls, but far from dull reading for everyone at the table.

I also wanted to share a resource that has been helping me tremendously as I fumble my way through memorizing...

On this sight you can pick any verse you'd like memorize and then takes you through three steps to help you remember and retain. I've been going using this little site each morning after I read the Word alone in my bedroom before the treasures wake up and I have been able to put to memory the first twelve verses of psalm 19 and three other random verses that I have been wanting to put to memory all in a month's time. This same site will also print out business size cards with each scripture and it's reference so that when you are not close to a computer you can have the Word with you. I have a little pocket size mead notebook that I glued the verses in and I take the little book with me when I water the plants or wash the dishes.

I've spent years convinced that memorizing God's Word was simply impossible for me. Recently I read this quote by Billy Graham, a man who most might describe as a saint.

"The greatest regret that I have is that I didn’t study more and read more,” he says.
I regret it, because now I feel at times I am empty of what I would like to have been.
I have friends that have memorized great portions of the Bible.
They can quote [so much], and that would mean a lot to me now.”

The thing is, that he DID know much of the Bible. He spent his life committing The Word to memory and he used what he studied to spread the gospel around the world. And yet his greatest regret in life is that he didn't have (even) more of God's Word written on his heart.

I wanna know God more than anything on this earth. And what better way to know someone's heart than to have Him write His love letter to me on my heart. I forget that ultimately He is the one that strengthens me to succeed in my endeavors. And if that's the case, then memorizing scripture must be His work within me. In my own ability, quite frankly I'm a mediocre memorizer. But when I purpose to be diligent in my efforts and I allow HIM to write His Words all over my life, it's amazing how things sink in... it's amazing how when they're rooted deep, they transform this soul of mine.

Our goal in our home is to speak to one another in His truth, the truth that only comes form the Word of GOd. A while back the kids got into this habit of arguing with one another about extremely STUPID things. I was flustered beyond myself and in need of some truth that we could go to that would help us all to change our words and our hearts. And low and behold I came across 2 Timothy 2:22-24

"Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments that lead to quarrels. For the Lord's servant must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful."

Yes, the Word of God uses the word stupid. My kids find it to be hilareous. We've had many a conversation about how God uses that word to make a a strong point and we are not to use that word to hurt others. But do you have any idea how wonderful this has been in our home??? The bickering starts to rise, a brother is purposing to provoke his sister over whether or not the blue stuffed dog is actually blue... and because we've memorized this lovely verse all I have to say is,

ME: "Don't have anything..."

And then they both finish it up for me...

THEM: "with foolish and stupid arguments."

ME: "Because why?"

THEM: "Because the Lord's servant must quarrel."

ME: "But must..."

THEM: "Be kind to everyone."

Then they make it right with one another, apologizing and asking forgiveness. The arguing has disappeared and all that was said was the Word of God. I'm quickly gaining a love for memorizing God's Word and I'm seeing daily the power it has to mold a family into HIS likeness! :)

And that's why we memorize...