~ When Nothing Seems to Stick

We start the day out as we try to do most days, reading words that are living and active and relevant. And then we recite our verses for the week. This week’s daily bread is from I Corinthians 13, and we go about setting it to memory. We’ve talked about what it means to be a resounding gong and a clanging symbol – just filling space with noise. We’ve discussed what it means to be able to fathom mysteries and knowledge and possess incredible faith. And today, I try to explain what it means to give everything we have to the poor and to surrender our bodies to the flames. So much is meaningless if there isn’t love to back it up! Nothing we do means anything if we don’t love people.

We read the words three times, and I am amazed at how the words spill out of my mouth without looking (the result of hours spent Bible quizzing as a child). Then I hold up our little cheat sheet, and each boy fills in the verses from memory. We finish by seeing who can add today’s verse to those we’ve learned so far. The hands fly into the air as each one begs to be the first to prove he knows it. Then we review all the passages we’ve learned so far this year about the kind of character we want to have: verses about being alert and guarding our hearts (Proverbs 4:20-23), about being generous people (2 Corinthians 9:6-8), about being content (Philippians 4:11-13), and about living innocent lives (Philippians 1:20) and more.

We continue our day. One struggles with Algebra, another has trouble with math (fractions), and when we get to grammar, one acts like he doesn’t remember anything he’s learned in the last year-and-a-half. I sit there wanting to pull out my hair, and in my heart I think, “Is anything I’m teaching making a difference? Are they retaining anything they’re learning?” (I know! Every teacher has those moments!) I am full of self-doubt and discouragement until I remember the words of Isaiah 55:10-11.

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

There are some things that are making a difference. They may not remember how to simplify fractions or diagram a sentence. They may forget from day to day how to solve equations. But every life word that they committ to memory is sharper than any double-edged sword and penetrates to their very heart. They may forget them for a time, but the words are shaping and molding in them a character that will bear up during the storms of life, a character that will help them stand firm when no one is looking.

I may not be the best teacher, but the best Teacher is preparing them for a glorious future. His words are watering the soil. His words will bring that seed to bud and flourish and bear fruit. His word is accomplishing in their lives what He has determined is His purpose.

Quite frankly, that just takes some of the pressure off!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

For an effective memory aid to help you commit His word to your heart, click here. Just type your verses in the first block and hit convert. It will remove all the letters except the first of every word. Somehow, it tricks your brain and it works! We love it!

Want to ponder the words of I Corinthians 13, download this e-chart.