Zach’s first memory verse

We spent last night at the ER. Right at bedtime, Isabel took a spill on our renewed hardwood floors. (My summer project has been ripping up our carpet and getting back to the original hardwood. It looks much better, but the kids are still getting used to it.) After assessing her split chin, we decided to take her to the hospital where, after much tripidation and a lot of crying, she received about ten stitches.

What does this have to do with Zach’s memory verse? You know I teach — rather TRY to teach the kids memory verses. Usually, I’m repeating them while Isabel sings a beat behind and Zach happily ignores us. Well, this time he has learned it, too. The verse is Joshua 1:9. The slightly condensed version I’ve taught them is this:

“Be strong and courageous for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Zach’s version is something like this: “STRONG! O-RAGEOUS! GOD … GO, GO, GO!!” Yes, the boy has only one volume: mega-loud. This was quite evident last night in the hospital.

While Ellie was terrified, screaming at what must be done, Zach stood on a chair just outside her room quoting their memory verse. His mega-loud did not compete with her near-hysterical crying, but it warmed my heart. While he yelled for Ellie to be strong and courageous, I praised God for two kids who love each other so much. I praised Him for allowing me to witness the miracles of heart in these two. I praised Him for giving me a husband who doesn’t faint at the sight of blood and needles (in contrast to me). And today I am praising God for the ability to memorize His Word.

I am currently re-reading (for the third time) the “Mark of the Lion” series by Francine Rivers. I love these books! Hadassah, one of the main characters, is a Jewish Christian who has been captured after the fall of Jerusalem then sold as a slave in first century Rome. She is separated from her family, her Scriptures and all her friends. All she has is her memories, but she remembers a lot! As I read it, I wonder, if I were separated from my current life and stranded in a new land without a Bible, how much of it would I remember? How much Truth do I carry in my heart and mind?

I always labor over which verses to teach the kids. I want them to be understandable and applicable to these young souls. It seems the verses chosen are often “stumbled” upon, but before long God’s sovereignty is again made evident. The verses they memorize are remembered and used in no time. All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching and application … Every bit of Scripture is important, but it still amazes me how such little phrases can be so important, so timely. It amazes me how words I have repeated over and over take on a new life when spoken with the breath of a child. It’s beautiful!

So what is my point? Only to encourage you, me, all of us to fill our hearts and minds with the words of God.

“Listen, Israel! The LORD our God is the only true God! So love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Memorize his laws and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you’re at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning. Write down copies and tie them to your wrists and foreheads to help you obey them. Write these laws on the door frames of your homes and on your town gates.” — Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (CEV)

I love this passage. It reminds us how very important God’s instructions are. Eugene Petersen’s paraphrase The Message puts it like this: “Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children.”

Memorizing Scripture is important. And helpful! You never know when you’ll end up in the ER needing a mega-loud reminder of what God has said.