A Lesson Learned: Memorization
I’ve never really been one to memorize scripture. I guess I never saw the value in it…if I wanted to know a certain verse I could just look it up!
That is, until this past year.
I participated in a bible study last spring where I was encouraged to create scripture cards revolving around a particular area of weakness in my life. I was hesitant…I had never made scripture cards before. But I used the index in the back of my bible to write down several scriptures having to do with worry. Little did I know that life’s circumstances in a few short weeks would test my knowledge of these scriptures.
On May 20, Prince Charming was badly burned while trying to burn a pile of brush in our yard. And when I mean badly burned…his whole body was engulfed in flames. By the grace of God, he was a few feet from the pond in our backyard and had the sense to immediately jump in. He was only on fire for a couple seconds, but it was enough to leave first and second degree burns on about 20% of his body and 3rd degree burns on his upper arms.
You know what came to mind during the days and weeks following his accident…the scriptures I had memorized! They replayed over and over in my mind and brought me so much comfort!
In fact, I think they might have just helped me not to have an anxiety attack. The months prior to the accident had already been challenging…I was still dealing with some “baby blues” after Little Brother’s birth, Prince Charming was gone every night finishing his Master’s degree, and we had JUST moved to a new house. Prince Charming had graduated 5 days before the accident…and I was holding out for a break from taking care of children 24/7 by myself. So when this happened…I felt like it was more than I could handle.
And it was more than I could handle…but thankfully MANY people prayed, brought meals, watched our kid, and gave us much-needed encouragement. I don’t think we could have made it otherwise.
So now, I see the GREAT benefit in memorizing scripture. It is almost like God is whispering His truths to you by echoing these scriptures in your heart and mind when you truly need them.
Now every week at Bible Study Fellowship, the children are introduced to a memory verse pertaining to the week’s lesson. A few weeks ago, we decided to let Big Brother practice his memory verse. I honestly didn’t expect much…surely a 2-year old can’t memorize a scripture and its reference!
Once again, I was proved wrong. After practicing for less than 10 minutes at the dinner table, Big Brother could recite his scripture better than Prince Charming and me. Now each week, we work on the memory verse for the week at the dinner table on Tuesday nights. We’re all memorizing the scriptures and it has been a great faith-building exercise for our family!
Here is Big Brother reciting a couple week’s worth of verses…
wow, this story is great. I understand the recovery period for a burn on the full body. I hope he is doing ok now. Our son, when20 months old, was burned really bad with hot coffee. he was hospitalized for more than a week and very critical> God also carried me through. Thanks for sharing. Your son is adorable too.
Wow, what a blessing that pond turned out to be.
I am constantly amazed by what my children pick up. They truly are little sponges. We practice Bible verses each day with our school work, and I fully expect my non-verbal toddler to start spouting off verses as soon as he begins speaking. After the other two surprised me again and again, I know my "Littlest Man" is listening.
This post was an encouragement, thanks.
I am so thankful that your PRince Charming was able to dunk himself in that pond. Praise the Lord. I hope he is doing much better now with the healing process.
PRecious. Precious little guy! And, what sweet little verses he learned.
Hi Jenae, That's an incredible story of God's faithfulness and God seeing you and your family through. I've always been hopeless at memorising scripture but now I try and learn a new verse every week and every Monday I have a link-up on my blog to learn a new verse. I find it a real encouragement to think of other women joining in for a weekly memory verse challenge. Amazing to see your dear son reciting verses too – children learn these things from such a young age. I love your blog – I've tried out quite a few of your ideas with my little ones and we've had a lot of fun. Bless you and your family.
I loved this post. It almost made me cry, and it definitely made me happy. Of course not your husbands circumstance (I hope he is doing well now), but to see how worth it is to memorize scripture! And I actually never even thought about teaching my son (who will be 3 on Saturday) to memorize verses at his age! That is a great idea. OHHH and your son is SO SO SO adorable! I hope you don't mind but I had to share the link to this post on my facebook page. Thank you so much!