I had a blast on the wilderness trip and was incredibly thankful that I decided to do something a little different with the end of my summer. I learned how to canoe and appreciated the value of a hot shower like never before. It's been many years since the summer before I started 9th grade but I still remember memorizing the book of James with great fondness. I have never been good at memorizing things. There is something different about the way that my brain processes information in my short term memory that makes it incredibly difficult for me to move facts or long sequences of information from my working memory into my long term memory. For that reason, the choice to memorize 5 chapters of the Bible was a decision to commit all of my idle time to the process. The experience allowed me to really understood what it meant to mediate on Gods Word. I would find myself naturally practicing the verses in my head as I went about my day. Those words were always on my mind and as a result my mind didn't wander, I wasn't easily distracted and I found it a whole lot easier to be nice to my siblings. My life was literally being transformed because I was immersed in God's Word on a day to day basis.
Fast forward to more than 15 years later and I couldn't even begin to recite the book of James to you in its entirety. However, whenever I read it, something deep within me stirs with a certain level of knowingness, like I'm visiting an old friend. There have been numerous times since 9th grade that I have felt like I should memorize more scripture but I have yet to act on that prompting. It wasn't until we made this move that I started to consistently feel convicted to start memorizing scripture again. I'm in a place where I need my thoughts and attention to be on God more than ever before and I'm finally taking steps to make that happen.
God put it on my heart to memorize the Beatitudes months ago. I'm finally sat down to make my flashcards and to begin carrying them around with me. My free time looks very different today than it did when I was just starting High School but I know that at the very least I can make time to read the beatitudes once a day. My eyes are peeled and ready to find opportunities to squeeze a few moments with my flashcards in between menu planning and diaper changing. I don't know how many months it's going to take me to memorize the 12 verses tucked right inside the beginning of Matthew chapter 5 but I'm ready to start. I'd love it if you'd join me!
Matthew 5:1-12
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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