My husband and I feel deeply blessed to send our children to a Christian school where they are daily taught the Word of God. On top of that, they attend Awanas, where they continue learning scripture, and they receive a special message during our church service that’s just for them. We are so grateful for every person God has placed in their lives to help plant His Word in their hearts.
Zaniya is now at the age where both school and Awanas require her to memorize Bible verses. The other day, she was working on one and proudly said, “Okay, I know it.” I was proud of her, too. But when I asked her to practice it again the next day, she looked confused and said, “Mom, I already said it.” I gently explained that we don’t memorize scripture just to earn an award, we memorize it so that it can be written on our hearts.
I shared with her how, at her age, I learned many of the same passages she’s learning now, and how those verses have guided me through life. God’s Word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105, ESV). It renews our minds (Romans 12:2). It gives us the power to stand against the lies the enemy tries to throw at us (Ephesians 6:17). I told her that I still get scared sometimes. Still, then I remember Psalm 121:3–4, which says that the God who watches over me “will not slumber… indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” When I doubt my value or identity, I remember that I am God’s child (John 1:12), loved and chosen, and that He prepared good works for me to walk in, works He ordained before I was even born (Ephesians 2:10).
Some days, the tasks before me feel overwhelming, but I remind myself where my help comes from: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). And when I look at the news and wonder why wickedness seems to go unpunished and corruption is praised, I remember that God is a God of justice (Isaiah 30:18), and I am called to be patient and trust in His timing, which is far greater than mine.
God’s Word truly is amazing. It can carry us through anything when we choose to view every circumstance, every problem, and every day through the lens of His truth written not just on paper, but on our hearts (Hebrews 8:10).
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