Hiding His Word in My Heart (Part 2)

Part of my bathroom mirror is now useless because it is covered by this:

Which is fine by me, because it means I'm spending less time looking at my reflection and more time reflecting on God's Word!

I am now memorizing the final verse of Colossians 3:12-17, and I am still excited about my new technique. I have never memorized so many verses with such ease! With each index card, I've developed more of my "style", and the end product is like a quilt of sorts. I love seeing the colors and lettering whenever I wash my hands or put on make-up.

And here's the best part! As I am practicing the words over and over in my mind, seeing the picture of the verses in my head, the words are becoming a part of me. When I was troubled by a relationship with a family member, I remembered "clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." When I was frustrated with my husband, "forgive as the Lord forgave you" came to mind. And my all-time favorite, a meadow of wildflowers in the middle of my quilt, is the reminder to BE THANKFUL.

I encourage you again to try Scripture memorization. Use my technique, or your own. Find a passage that is particularly meaningful to you right now, or is a favorite of yours. I already know that I want to memorize Philippians 2 next!

Scripture Memorization With My Children

Our "school" always ends the year with a performance in June, something similar to the public school's "open house." I display the children's art and writing from the year and each child decides on a dessert to make and serve. Then we invite family and friends to our home for a short evening of piano solos, singing, poetry recitation, scripture memorization and project presentations. Some years we've even added joke-telling and the Virginia reel (with audience participation, of course)! It's a great way to finish the year and share with others what we've learned!

Preparation for this year's performance has already begun. But I didn't realize until earlier this week that we needed to start our Scripture memorization! Then I thought, "What a perfect  opportunity to try my new method of Scripture memorization with my children!" (See my post Hiding His Word in my Heart if you don't now what I'm talking about.)

So I divided Psalm 121 into four sections and allowed the older children to choose which two verses they would like to write out. (This took a little finagling, since my son and daughter both wanted verses 1-2.) I myself took the section that no one wanted. Then I gave a short lesson on how to write out the verses, using my own examples from Colossians 3.

Here is what my children came up with:

I love seeing my children's ideas! They thought of things I wouldn't have thought of, like the crown above the word 'Lord.'

Colossians 3:16a (which I'm memorizing right now) comes to mind:

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom.

Next step, tape our illustrations to the living room wall to serve as tools in our scripture memorization and as decoration and lovely reminders of God's wonderful words!

I Am

I am a daughter, a sister, a niece.

I am a wife, a mother, an aunt.

I am a teacher, a musician, an artist, a writer. I

am a dreamer.

I am a giver and a peacemaker.

I am a crier and an empathizer.

I am a questioner and problem-solver.

I am a neighbor.
I am a mentor.

I am a friend.

But above all these

I am a sinner

Above all these

I was rescued by True Love

Above all these

I was given grace and mercy

And the chance to become who I was meant to be

a child of God

    a disciple of Jesus     

         an anointed of the Spirit

              a saint marching in    

                  a member of the Body

a follower 

of Christ

I AM

I am all that I am

because of Him.

Use Me Here

When I was in high school, I couldn't wait for college. When I was in college, I couldn't wait to graduate. While working part-time, I wanted something full-time. And when I was single, I wished I was married. 

One of the few regrets I carry with me now is that I wasted so much time when I was younger. Rather than seeing what God had for me in the present, I was always looking to the future. I can't honestly say that I helped any of my friends in high school. In college, I didn't point people towards Christ. And when I worked as a studio piano teacher, I taught with little expectation and little passion. Week after week, students came and went. We practiced the same scales, the same songs, and I always said, "See you next week!" while thinking "When do I get to go home?"

One day, "See you next week!" never happened. One of my adult students never came back, because she had suddenly passed away. And that was when it hit me.

I had missed my chance to be an influence in this woman's life. I had had several weeks of scheduled time, and I could have made the most of my weekly thirty minutes with her. But I didn't, because I was taking it all for granted. I was praying, "God, move me onto to something else," when I should have been praying, "God, use me here while I am here."

After that incident, I never looked back. I started seeking opportunities to show God's love, from simple notes to encourage people to great sacrifices of time and money. And now, though I have moments of wanting a break from my duties as mom and housecleaner, I don't spend my time pining for the days when my children will be grown. I love homeschooling. I love mentoring new moms, young single women, and newly-weds. I love asking the check-out person, "How's your day going?" I love cooking for people in need and people coming to visit. And I love sharing our home to people. God has given me so much, and I want to pass it ALL on.

Oftentimes, we forget that at every stage of life, God has a purpose for us. Maybe it's in our nature to be discontent. When we're young, we want to be older. When we're old, we want to be younger. Or maybe it's because we are bombarded by messages like "It'll be great when you retire!" or "Wait until the kids are out of the house!" Even when we are young, adults ask us, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" We tell our children to strive for graduation, a driver's license, a job, an award– all ways of saying, in the most subtle way, "When you reach this goal, then you are ready to contribute!" My husband and I tell our children that they can contribute NOW, that sharing God's love, joy, and peace is not limited to those 18 and older, that they can always be on the lookout for opportunities to shine God's light.

And that's a good reminder for us adults too, that God can use us, whatever age we are. I hope that when I am in my forties, my sixties, and even my eighties, I will not waste the time God gives me, and that I will ALWAYS pray, "God, use me here while I am here."

Resurrection Cookies

I was given this recipe many years ago, and people often ask me for it because it doesn't have a ready source. I don't know why I never thought of posting it until now! My children love to make these cookies the night before Easter, and oftentimes the cookies are shared at our Easter meal. And the best part is that as I've had more children, the younger ones just join in and take part in our tradition!

*This recipe requires a lot of mixing. It is best if you have a standing mixer. The result is a meringue-type cookie.

Resurrection Cookies

1 cup whole pecans or walnuts

1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites

a pinch salt 
1 cup sugar

a zipper baggy

1 wooden spoon

scotch tape

Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. (This is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe.)

Place pecans in zipper baggy (or baggies, one per child) and let children beat them with the wooden spoon (or spoons) to break into small pieces.  Explain that after Jesus was arrested.  He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.  Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar.  Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar.  Eggs represent life.  Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read: John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.  Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.  Add 1 cup sugar to ingredients in bowl (you can let children taste a bit first). Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus's body was laid. Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus's followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20 and 22

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies are hollow!  On the first Easter Jesus's followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9


I wish you ad your family a wonderful Easter! He is risen!