In spite
of all the fussing I do about people who put up Christmas decorations in
October, I'm never really ready to take them down. My mom used to say,
"People do such thoughtful things at Christmas." And they do. So why
can't we just be that way all year round? The truth is, it would wear us out.
I don't
mean we can't be nice, but we can't keep up the gift giving, the little
parties, the special foods. It would be too much--and it would quit being
special. There is something to be said for routine.
One of
the routines I need to continually refresh is scripture memory. Let me tell you
what learning God's word has done for me:
One
spring day I was feeling completely overwhelmed with the end of school and all
that goes with it. Then I got word that we might be getting out-of-town company
that same week. I felt that I might lose my mind. Then, pulling out of the
parking lot at Starbucks, where I had gone to grade essays, I remembered this
verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Instant relief.
The
other night I couldn't drop off to sleep. Who knows why? My mind was whirling
with things to remember and do. I decided to recite scripture: Nahum 1:3-7,
"The LORD is slow to anger and great in power. . . " I went slowly
and thought about the verses. In a very little while, I calmed down and went to
sleep.
These
are only two of many examples of the value of committing scripture to memory.
Don't say you can't do it. You remember all kinds of songs, jingles, plots to movies, recipes. You
just need a routine. Start a list of
passages that speak to you. Decide on a time you will review these. I go over
the same passage for either a week or a month, depending on the length. Write
the verses down; say them in the car, in the shower, before breakfast. You
decide, but be regular about it. After a
while, you will know lots of God's Word, and what a blessing it will be.
Maybe
you already have a plan in place. Good for you. Don't quit. Encourage your
friends to join you.
Happy
New Year!
--Sherry
Poff
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