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Scripture memorization - A little is better than . . .

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I decided last night I would skip my workout this morning. I would be too rushed to do it well.   

But when I woke up early, I decided, “Well, I do have time for just a little.” The minimum.

Because a little is better than none.

Sometimes a little turns into more. Sometimes it stays just a little. Either way, even a little can be good.

I apply the same principle to Bible memory work. My full routine includes reviewing one page of older individual verses, reciting one chapter previously learned, and adding two verses of a new chapter. But sometimes I either lack time for all of that, or honestly, I just don’t want to do it all.

So I do just a little instead. The minimum.

Sometimes little grows into big. Sometimes not. But a little is still better than none. And even a little can be good.

The memory work might turn into simply reading the verses instead. No testing of memory at all. Or I may review only a few, lingering on one or two, letting those soak.

That’s okay.

Just as the end goal of my physical workout isn’t to check it off a list—it’s to stay healthy—so the end goal of memory work isn’t to check it off a list either — it’s to stay spiritually healthy.

Transformed.

It’s not about me perfecting the words.
It’s about the Word perfecting me.

So I keep plugging away at my memory verses and chapters, a little at a time. Progress is sometimes hard to measure, and success, harder still.

But through at least a little, the door remains open for God to do a lot.

My physical workout this morning ended up fine. My memory work today? I haven’t begun yet. I don’t really have time and I don’t really feel like it.

But I think I’ll do at least a little . . .

* * *

I apply this principle to housework, too. [FlyLady, anyone?]

What do you convince yourself to do “just a little” versus none at all?

REVISED FROM THE ARCHIVES

Comments (21)

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"It’s not about me perfecting the words.
It’s about the Word perfecting me."

Love, love, LOVE that thought. Jotted it on a card and stuck it in my Scripture memory notebook.
My recent post Inductive Bible Study, Part 7: Wrap It Up!
3 replies · active 668 weeks ago
I'm glad that ministers to you. It definitely does to me because I do NOT get the words perfect, ever. ha. But since that's not the point, it's okay.

My recent post Scripture memorization - A little is better than . . .
Yes! I love that thought too!
It takes the pressure off of us, yes? And puts us squarely back in God's hands, which is the only place where the actual transforming can happen anyway. :-)
My recent post Not just another day in church
Like you, sometimes I apply that to my memory work. Sometimes also to correspondence or even blogging when the amount or idea seems to exceed the time or resources at hand.

It helps to know your system for memory and review. That seems wise.

Blessings to you, and strength for the busy.
My recent post Our Most Solid Comforts
1 reply · active 668 weeks ago
Yes, I am definitely needing to apply that principle to blogging in this season! Sigh. I am not able to post or visit around right now like I'd like to, but I'm thankful that at least I can a little. Blessings back to you too. I pray you and yours are well!
My recent post Scripture memorization - A little is better than . . .
Thank you for this Lisa. Some is better than None...a superb mantra for many things in my life...wow....when I stop here and think.. SO many things.
And especially as a thought to drive my actions in spiritual and physical workouts.. yes...no matter WHAT or HOW MUCH..."SOME ...absolutely trumps NONE!!!!". Love you girl....you are a born motivator and encourager. {{HUGS}} xoxo Stay cool in that deep South Alabama state...
1 reply · active 668 weeks ago
I'm planning out my schedule for the next few days and I'm having to take that advice myself again: a little is better than nothing. So hard to do sometimes, especially when I want time to do more, but *trying* to trust God with the "little"! He can take our 5 loaves and 2 fish and do miracles, right?

I am trying to stay cool but failing. ha. It is HOT down here the past several days. But I'd still rather be hot than cold so I won't complain (too much). :)

My recent post JUNE 2012 Posts
It is all about discipline isn't it? I do a Bible study every week, a fairly in depth one. I won't allow myself to write anything until I have that necessity done first. As difficult as it is sometimes, it is as necessary as the food I eat.

If we cared as much for our spiritual health as we do our physical one, the world would be a different place...
My recent post A LONELY SUMMER
1 reply · active 668 weeks ago
You're right, Floyd: it is so much about discipline. And even that is a gift from the Lord (which we then have to choose to accept and exercise--I don't always do that!).

You have a great discipline going to study before writing. Trying to imagine how different life would look if we all cared for our spiritual health as a first priority...
My recent post JUNE 2012 Posts
That is such a great thought for any task. Just do a little. Today, I though I would just straighten up a little, and then suddenly my whole house was looking good.

I am planning to start memorizing Scripture in August. I'm a little nervous but I know it's important. :)

Mary Beth @newlifesteward
1 reply · active 668 weeks ago
Good for you with your house! I love when that happens. :)

Just this morning I've been praying (again) about which chapter to memorize next, and soliciting input from some of the other ladies at Do Not Depart. It's getting me even more excited to start back. We will be blessed to have you join us.
My recent post Scripture memorization - A little is better than . . .
That sounds like a great book, Brooke. I remember how liberated and helped I felt when I first read "Managers of Their Homes". I don't quite understand how, but I do know that opening up physical space also opens up spiritual space in me as well.

That's probably a contributing factor to the stress I've felt lately: my house is in disarray with piles of supplies for this and that. Some of it is unavoidable at the moment, and will disappear in a few weeks, but until then I still need to make room inwardly for Christ's orderliness.

The Lord is using Psalm 103 to help me with that, so I thank him for spurring you to initiate that challenge this summer!
My recent post Scripture memorization - A little is better than . . .
A gentle reminder yet again, to get on with it - i got to Matt 5:36 and for some unknown reason i lost momentum
My recent post a book review
1 reply · active 668 weeks ago
That happens to me too occasionally. Maybe you can pick up later where you left off. It's not going anywhere. :-)

Sent from my iPhone
Thanks Lisa,
You express it sooo well! I have been truly blessed by your site and the memorization.
Love this....its not about me and what I do,but allowing Gods transformation to change me
It’s not about me perfecting the words.
It’s about the Word perfecting me.

He can do so much with so little
But through at least a little, the door remains open for God to do a lot.

Thanks for the reminder and ecouragement
Susan
1 reply · active 668 weeks ago
Thanks, Susan. I'm glad the memorization is blessing you, too. I'm continually amazed at what God can do with our feeble attempts!
My recent post Not just another day in church
I can totally relate to that "just a little" strategy sometimes, Lisa! It took me twice as long to memorize the John 1 verses. But a little bit each day (even if it was just review) helped!

Lots of good quotables in this post, Lisa. :-)
My recent post What’s the Big Deal About Scripture Memory? {Tuesday Talk}
Lisa, I am so thrilled God brought you across my path via an email with a link to your blog.... and then I discovered that you memorize whole chapters of the Word. I do this, too. What a blessing to find you. I praise God for His awesome life-changing Word and for the grace gift to memorize it and treasure the Word in my heart.
1 reply · active 547 weeks ago
That's awesome that you also memorize whole chapters, Marilyn! It's been a huge blessing to me too.

An online group of us are about to start memorizing Psalm 27 next week. If you're interested, here's a link with more info.
http://donotdepart.com/resources-memorize-psalm-2...

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