On A Quest

My children are together 24/7. They eat, play, sing, laugh, and learn together. They also fight, nit-pick, argue, and whine. I know that they love each other and that some amount of “sibling squabbling” is considered normal, but over the past few weeks I have really seen the need to focus on instructing my children in Christian character.

Each morning during Circle Time we have been reading a verse from the book of Proverbs and discussing it. Bible verse memorization is vitally important in the Christian life, but I have found that too often memorization takes the place of meditation. I want my children to memorize Bible verses, but I want them to meditate on God’s Word, too. I want their little brains to be filled with God’s instruction. I want their hearts to be convicted when they sin. It makes sense to spend the time now sowing seeds in their tender hearts before the weeds spring up and choke them out.

Psalm 119:14 “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

I want these same things for myself. Is Christian character evident in my life? Is it evident not only to the people I meet out and about on the street or at church but to my family, too? It is my desire to be a doer of the word, and not just a hearer. That’s where meditating on God’s Word comes in.

Psalm 1:2b “…and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” (emphasis mine)

The dictionary defines the word meditate as “dwelling on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study”. I have to admit that sometimes I just fly through my Bible reading time and fail to dwell on what I have read during the rest of the day. Sometimes I wonder why my day is not going as well as I would like it to, and then I realize that even though I started my day with God’s Word, I haven’t been keeping the verses in the forefront of my mind. I haven’t been contemplating how they apply in my life. I haven’t been meditating on them and living them out.

It is my hope and prayer that in the coming weeks and months I will see an improvement in the Christian character development of both my children and myself. I cannot instruct them in righteousness if I’m not applying the same standard to myself. I’m so thankful that God has given us a Book with all of the instructions in it!

Image from here.

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Friday, March 28, 2008
On A Quest
My children are together 24/7. They eat, play, sing, laugh, and learn together. They also fight, nit-pick, argue, and whine. I know that they love each other and that some amount of “sibling squabbling” is considered normal, but over the past few weeks I have really seen the need to focus on instructing my children in Christian character.

Each morning during Circle Time we have been reading a verse from the book of Proverbs and discussing it. Bible verse memorization is vitally important in the Christian life, but I have found that too often memorization takes the place of meditation. I want my children to memorize Bible verses, but I want them to meditate on God’s Word, too. I want their little brains to be filled with God’s instruction. I want their hearts to be convicted when they sin. It makes sense to spend the time now sowing seeds in their tender hearts before the weeds spring up and choke them out.

Psalm 119:14 “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

I want these same things for myself. Is Christian character evident in my life? Is it evident not only to the people I meet out and about on the street or at church but to my family, too? It is my desire to be a doer of the word, and not just a hearer. That’s where meditating on God’s Word comes in.

Psalm 1:2b “…and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” (emphasis mine)

The dictionary defines the word meditate as “dwelling on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study”. I have to admit that sometimes I just fly through my Bible reading time and fail to dwell on what I have read during the rest of the day. Sometimes I wonder why my day is not going as well as I would like it to, and then I realize that even though I started my day with God’s Word, I haven’t been keeping the verses in the forefront of my mind. I haven’t been contemplating how they apply in my life. I haven’t been meditating on them and living them out.

It is my hope and prayer that in the coming weeks and months I will see an improvement in the Christian character development of both my children and myself. I cannot instruct them in righteousness if I’m not applying the same standard to myself. I’m so thankful that God has given us a Book with all of the instructions in it!

Image from here.

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Written at Friday, March 28, 2008 by Paula.
10 comments
10 Comments:
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Amen, Sis!!! Our children can have lots of book knowledge (Bible included) and they can memorize all kinds of things but meditating on what you have learned and applying it is what counts. My Pastor always translates the verses we cover in Sunday School by applying it to himself. For example, Prov. 3:5-6 - I will trust the Lord with all my heart and I won't try to understand it MY way but HIS way. I will look for the Lord in all the areas of my life and, therefore, He will guide me. :-)

I really gleaned from him when he did this so I have now applied it to my own study and meditating life :-) It personalizes God's Word when we apply it to ourselves!

Good job, lady!!! Keep teaching those youngens ;-)
3/28/2008 3:50 PM  
Blogger Alesha said...
Oh, amen, sister! And sometimes they're just little mirrors, too, aren't they?!! I find that with Isaac, even. He responds to my mood and attitudes, too!

God bless your goal of meditation. It is difficult in our fast-paced society. But it is the only thing that roots the Word down deep in our souls so that it comes bubbling up to the surface when we need it.

Alesha
3/28/2008 4:03 PM  
Blogger Sharon said...
When I was homeschooling my daughter, we started each day reading the Bible and I would ask her what it meant to her after reading a passage. We would discuss it and I would give her examples of application. This was beneficial to us both. :)

I appreciate your honesty, as I believe we all get in a hurry sometimes when reading the Bible.
3/28/2008 7:39 PM  
Blogger AMM said...
I've been thinking similar thoughts. And found a lovely poem this morning to help me focus:
'Sit still, my daughter, just sit calmly still
What higher service could'st thou for Him fill?
'Tis hard, ah yes, But choicest things must cost,
For lack of losing all, how much is lost!
'Tis hard, 'tis true, but then - He gives the grace,
To count the hardest spot the sweetest place.'

Old fashioned language, I know, but so true. I'm going to blog around these thoughts later today, but will look forward to hearing more of your journey into meditating on the Word...
3/29/2008 9:23 PM  
Blogger ~~Deby said...
A great reminder to keep our priorities right...it is easy to get things upside down, at least for me it is....
thank you for this. I am thankful for God's WORD...
Deby
3/29/2008 10:27 PM  
Blogger Karen said...
Well said! I'd love to know how I come across to others in my everyday walk.
Thank you for the reminder to hide His word in our hearts, and apply them!
3/30/2008 12:30 PM  
Blogger Kristi said...
It's easier to memorize a passage of scripture if you have meditated upon it first. I have always told my children it is more important to meditate than memorize. I used to think it was more important to memorize because we're supposed to hide His Word in our hearts. By meditating on Scripture, it becomes a part of us and becomes a part of our heart. Don't get me wrong, I believe memorization is vitally important, but I have always felt that meditation plays an important part in how we memorize. Oh, I hope this isn't taken the wrong way! Do you understand what I'm trying to say?
LOL

~Kristi
3/30/2008 4:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Lovely and thought provoking post Mrs C. I like the sound of 'circle time'.

~Blessings
3/30/2008 5:55 PM  
Blogger Faith said...
What a great post.
I say AMEN to this one.
My kids memorize Bible verses very well but....the meditation of those very verses need to be increased.
I try to instill little lessons of Christian character, daily in our evening quiet times or in a.m. before bus time. It is so important! And a good reminder for us adults!! Thank you for this wonderful post! I am bookmarking this one!
3/30/2008 6:53 PM  
Blogger Paula said...
Thank you, Ladies, for sharing your thoughts! :)
3/31/2008 5:43 PM  

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