Memorizing with my daughter (Nov 3 – Thanks)

Each school day, my 14-yr-old daughter and I begin by reading poetry together, then rehearsing memory verses, then reading the Bible. It’s the middle activity that is hard. 

In previous years, when both my daughters were at home, they recited to each other, and I was only the facilitator. But since Morgan left two years ago, I got on board to memorize the same scriptures that Jenna was memorizing.

It’s not been easy. At first we were testy with the way the other would make corrections when we stumbled over the words. I felt pretty low that I could get so easily irritated as we were quoting the Bible. (Yeah, that’s bad. I knew it.)

But yesterday morning, I started thinking: it’s been a long time since either of us have had a “bad moment” with the other while practicing our memory verses. And frankly, if I were Jenna, I’d have a hard time being patient with me. Her memory has always been very sharp and she learns and remembers the verses much easier than I do.

So as I stumble along, she gently feeds me the next word (or two or three) until I get the “Oh, yeah!” moment and finish the verse.

I’m grateful that I have a daughter willing to do that. And I’m thankful that the Lord has grown us both up in patience with each other. We both needed that training. And even though we still haven’t arrived, we’re closer than we used to be.

Memorizing with my daughter has taught me more than reciting words. It is training me to practice them.

Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense...
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Proverbs 19:11, 20 – two of our memory verses