Hey, Everybody!
I am writing to you on Sunday afternoon since this post needs to go up first thing Monday morning and I am typing away on my laptop from Jackson and Annabeth’s room in our home. It’s the room where Keith and I get the best internet hookup. I like it anyway because it is filled with expressions of the only two kids on the earth I love as much as the two that I birthed. From Annabeth’s twin bed where I’m sitting, I can see a pink and green doll house, a blue and yellow race track, a dark green, fairly-convincing rubber lizard, a kids’ brightly colored exercise bike, a cardboard playhouse and a cardboard castle. It’s full on here in this room and, boy, has it had a work out in the last week.
Keith and I are blessed out of our minds to do lots of life with our grandkids because they only live about 20 minutes from our front door. Delightfully, their voices often reverberate off of these walls and their sweet feet are slap-happy on these wooden floors on a regular basis. We get to have sleepovers on occasions through out the year but once every summer Keith and I have them for the better part of a week and let their darling parents get some time together all by themselves. This last week was that segment of time – Camp Bibby we call it – for the summer of 2013. We kissed them goodbye on Friday night after a good, solid 5-day dose of them. I hate to admit to a small lump in my throat when they drove off with Amanda and Curtis, although I needed a nap in the worst way. Grin. It may be of some encouragement to you mothers of young children that, on Day 1, I did not shower until 3:00 PM. Yes, I do indeed remember what it was like to be a busy young mom whose life is not her own and when I forget, my two sweeties help me remember. Good grief, I would not trade them for anything in this world.
We do not have the time or space here for all the new quotes that have been added to my repertoire in the last week. Jackson and Annabeth are each hilarious, even when they don’t mean to be, so I try to have a pen nearby at all times. Annabeth announced to me on Friday afternoon that, when she grows up, she most definitely does NOT want to have a baby. “Why not?” I asked. “Because you have to go to the hospital,” she replied. And I thought to myself, whoa baby, that’s not all you have to do. As my mama always said, you also have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Translation: you think you’re going to die but, ordinarily, you do not, although at times your husband could be in considerable harm’s way if he spouts another word. Of course, I kept these thoughts to myself.
Annabeth paused for just a moment then spoke back up. “I just want a chihuahua and a cat.”
And that was that.
Jackson asked me how old I was while he was here because I recently had a birthday. He’s asked me that kind of thing before and it always ends up following the trail of whether or not I will still be his Bibby when he is in college. Curtis’s grandmother died a couple of years ago and I think he’s got it in his seven year-old head that grandmothers are tenuous creatures, here today, gone tomorrow. So, I said to him, “You know, Jackson, both your grandmothers are actually pretty young to have a grandkid as old as you. Because we all started so early, I think you can probably assume we’ll be around a while and see you grow up.” He sat on that a few moments then said, “Bibby, that makes you a rookie grandma. Do you know what a rookie is, Bibby?” Ah, yes, I do, Mister. I was a rookie mom with your mommy and a rookie grandma with you and I cannot think of two people on the planet through whom I’d rather be cast into those auspicious, busy, and often humbling roles.
I guess you’re wondering what all of this has to do with our Scripture memory. Well, I am getting to that right now. We have a daily verse at Camp Bibby and Psalm 32:9 out of the New Century Bible was our verse for Day 3 and the immediate favorite and clear winner for the fastest memorization. I taught the whole verse to Annabeth and Jackson but we only memorized part of it. Perhaps you will see why Jackson all but claimed it as his life verse. Kids totally love this kind of thing:
“Don’t be like a…donkey.” Psalm 32:9a
It made them almost as happy as talking about bathroom sounds. If I heard this verse once out of their mouths since Wednesday, I heard it 50 times. They could tell you what it means, too. I’ll stick the phrase back in the wider Scripture segment so that you’ll know what it means, too:
8      The LORD says, “I will make you wise and show you where to go. I will guide you and watch over you.
9      So don’t be like a horse or donkey, that doesn’t understand. They must be led with bits and reins,
or they will not come near you.”
Jackson would tell you that it means that God doesn’t want to have to tie us all up, or sit on us, or be all hard on us to get us to come to Him and to walk in His gracious and good will for our lives. He doesn’t want to have to make us obey Him so He can bless us. His deep desire is that we’d want to go with Him because we know that He is always for us, always leading us to triumph, always trustworthy, always right, and forever wanting to crown us with love and compassion and lead us away from bondage and such unnecessary harm.
I know it’s basic. But my mind’s been on the basics this last week with a seven year-old and a four year-old either one foot from me or on my person. I guess the question I’m throwing out on the table this week is this: Why do we continue to fight God and lash about in His grasp like He’s a big Taker instead of a Giver? What is it we think He’s trying to rob us of? To whom have we compared Him so that we’ve assumed we cannot trust Him?
Don’t be so stubborn, the psalmist is saying. Cooperate and go with God some place beautiful. Some place almost magical.
Revel in the two preceding verses in the same psalm (32), this time from the NIV:
6Â Therefore let all the faithful pray to You
while You may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
7Â You are my hiding place;
You will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Surround sound. Oh, if our spiritual ears could only be opened for a few glorious minutes, what a musical score we’d hear all around us. To go with Jesus is to go the way of deliverance. The way of music. The way of symphonies. The way of ascent amid mighty rising waters. So, I’m going with Jackson in my memory work this round:
Beth, Houston. So don’t be like a horse or donkey, that doesn’t understand. They must be led with bits and reins, or they will not come near you. Psalm 32:9 NCV
So, what’s yours?
You are loved around here, Sister. We are honored to serve you.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Prov 4:9 NIV
She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
“So don’t be like a horse or donkey, that doesn’t understand. They must be led with bits and reins, or they will not come near you.” Psalm 32:9 NCV
Mindy in Franklin
“He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.” (Psalms 37:26 ESV)
Janet, Vine Grove, KY
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Christ Jesus – to the glory and praise of God. Phil 1:9-11
Terry from Jasper, GA
Rev 4:11 (NKJV)
“You are worthy, O Lord,” to receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.
Pam, Sioux Falls, SD
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12, NIV
Suzanne, Centreville, VA
“Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 (HCSB)
Tanya Keeth, West Monroe, LA Ephesians 4:30 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Paula, Maine
His God instructs him and teaches him the right way. Isaiah 28:26 NIV
Pam in Texas
Nothing gives me greater joy
than to hear that my children are
following the way of the truth.
3 John 4 (NCV)
Elaine, Jefferson, Ga
They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, (Hebrews 11:37-39 NIV)
Mary Jane, Wilmington, DE
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Cor: 4:7 NIV
Mary Jane, Troy KS
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.”
Psalm 37:7 NIV
Kim, Corning, NY. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” (Psalm 37:7a ESV).
Connie
Greene IA
So let us move forward to enter this rest, so that none of us fall into the kind of faithless disobedience that prevented them from entering.
Hebrews 4:11
The Voice
Sheila
Guyton, GA
“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfect in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Cor 12:9 NASB
Stephanie. Danville Ky
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. ”. Isaiah 40:8. NIV
Angela, McKinney, TX
So don’t be like a horse or donkey, that doesn’t understand. They must be led with bits and reins, or they will not come near you. Psalm 32:9 NCV
Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Amber B., Vicksburg, MI. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:, Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
Pamela , NC
But you have been annointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge
1 John 2:20 ESV
“Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy” Matthew 5:7 NIV
Amy from fairport Ny Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. (1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV)
Amy Gossen
Carthage, mo
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
Shannon, Warner Robins, GA
“O LORD, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in you alone.” (2 Chronicles 14:11b NLT)
Becky, Morganton, NC
And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord and I will be the glory in her midst” Zechariah 2:5 ESV
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6 (NIV)
What a great reminder! It’s nice how kids can simplify things for us!
Shelley, from Bolivar, MO
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.” Amen. (ESV)
Linda, Longview:
Praise the Lord , my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. Psalm 104:1 NIV
“God, I’ve heard what our ancestors say about you, and I am stopped in my tracks, down on my knees. Do among us what you did among them. Work among us as you worked among them. And as you bring judgment, as surely you must, remember mercy”.
Faye, Ocala
Teach me Your way Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. Psalm 86:10. NIV
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Paige ATL Prov 4:23 NIV
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
This is the correct wording for the NIV
Sorry. I’m not sure how I mixed it up.
Paige ATL Prov 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Tammy
Lantana, TX
1Thessalonians 5:21-22 MSG
21On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. 22Throw out anything tainted with evil.
When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick that are there and tell them the kingdom of God is near. Luke 10:8-9
Angel Bowman
Murfreesboro, TN
“Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.” Philippians 4:6 (GW)
Mindy Rowley, IA
James 4:13 NKJV
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”;
Laura K, Spearfish, SD
And He said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Matthew 8:26 ESV
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen, TX
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Valerie, Omaha. “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:14
Hannah | Oklahoma City, OK
Isaiah 48:17, NLT
“This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.'”
Natalie, Nesbit, “So don’t be like a horse or donkey, that doesn’t understand. They must be led with bits and reins, or they will not come near you.” Psalm 32:9 NCV
Pam, Campbellsburg, In. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised,in the city of our God. In His Holy Mountian. Psalm 48:1 NSFL NKJV
Sandy, Portland, TN
“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Cor 12:9 NIV
Deanna, Mansfield, TX: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Linda from Birmingham, AL
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
— Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Jill, Austin
He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; as one from whom men hide their face; he was despised and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 53:3 ESV
Alison, Norman OK
 The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness. Ps 145:17 NLT
Hebrews 12:11 NIV
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.