I love words. It is easy to see how
much I love them when you come into my house. Books are stacked everywhere...on
the entry table, on every night stand in my bedroom and on each of my kiddos'
night stands and dresses, too. Not only do words I admire, crave and get
lost in come from the pages within the hard covers of all these books, I write
inspirational words on chalkboards.
So maybe I have went a little chalkboard
crazy. It seems I have put a chalkboard on every flat surface in the house
to remind the kiddos of homework and household chores, to remind every one in
the house to be "kinder than necessary" as they walk out the front
door and across from the kitchen table to remind us of all who we need to pray
for.
The only few flat surfaces that don't have a
chalkboard hold framed scripture printables.
Our eating area has a collage of signs reminding us
what we do "in this house," "a family that prays together stays
together," "in our home let love abide, and bless all those that step
inside," and "let us be silent that's we may hear the whisper of
God." Okay, now that I see it in print I realize maybe I have gone a
little word crazy! But "word crazy" is what I have always been.
In first grade, I was the first one to read every
book in the classroom. My teacher was unprepared for it and what she would give
for her promised reward so...she gave me a Hulk coloring book as big as I was.
The only problem is that it had already been colored (another post altogether).
By the time I was in fourth grade, I had read most of the classroom books
and a good portion of the school library's books as well. You can imagine my
sheer joy, when I learned the book mobile would come once a month to my rural
school. For anyone that didn't grow up in a rural area, imagine a small library
in a large van, circulating the latest books from school to school.
My mom graciously signed a form allowing me to read any book in
this new book Mecca. Once I completed high school and scampered off to
college, it seemed a natural choice to get my undergrad in literature. How else
can you go to four years of all college and get to read great literature?
So you see, I have always had a love affair with
words. They have inspired me, provided counsel when needed and transported me
to a place I could escape to as well. What I say next will shock
you. As much as I love words and reading, and the fact I love God even
more, why can't I love reading the Bible? There I said it. I am starting
to pit out just typing it, glancing over my shoulder to see if any lightening
clouds are brewing. Every morning I read my devotionals that are why
can't I love reading the Bible? There I said it. I am starting to pit out just
typing it, glancing over my shoulder to see if any lightening clouds are
brewing. Every morning I read my devotionals that are conveniently sent
to my phone. Every Tuesday, I go to church to do a bible study with my
girls. Every morning (I try, see post with melted butter) I do devotionals with
my kids. I help them memorize scripture and read passages about Noah and
Goliath. Then, why can't I remember it all? Why do I look like a deer
in the headlights, when people chat about their favorite scripture? You
know mine is the one when God talks about those things we are commanded to do
and He commands us to love him and our neighbor and yep, it is somewhere in the
bible, maybe toward the middle.
You see, I have a dilemma. What is a church
girl to do when she struggles reading the bible, her brain turns to mush when
she tries to memorize scripture and she needs a strong will just to get through
morning devotionals without glancing over to Pinterest? I don't have the
answers. I think God gave me as one of my thorns in my side like He did with
Paul (don't judge if I got the wrong disciple). My answer to myself, keep
on trying. If I can make a million attempts to read Shakespeare in college,
since God's words trumps anything even Shakespeare, I am going to make a
gazillion attempts to stay in His word. Maybe it isn't supposed to be easy for
me. Maybe it is because I don't respect the easy. Maybe God is telling me to
get off Pinterest and don't fill your head with things you don't need. If you
only have so much space up in that noggin, you better do a little house
cleaning and make room for what you really need! So pray dear ladies, pray that
I can get this bible thing right and honor the one that truly deserves it, our
Heavenly Father.
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