She wakes early. She’s got an early Friday morning class. It’s her first day of the second semester of her dual enrollment in college early. She is a young woman now, but that doesn’t stop me from calling out,

“What’s number one?”

Mom, I’m gonna be late,” she mumbles while scurrying around the kitchen.

“You have time. Number 1,” I repeat.

“I will love the Lord my God, with all my heart soul, mind and strength. Mark 12:30,” she recites.

“Number 2. Go.”

“I walk by faith and not by sight. 1 Corinthians 5:7”

I continue as I follow her out the door. She is driving herself these days. I can’t believe it. She was a one year old when I was her age.

“Number 6,” I call out, as she is getting in her car.

“I have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16”

I bless her on her way. I pray she has a good professor and that she is a light that shines bright in dark places she may encounter. Not may, but will.

…………………………………………….

I catch 12 year old right before she goes upstairs. “What’s number 1?”

She protests a bit more that the others, but that is no surprise. She’s my determined one.

We continue to 8.

The Word is a seed,

and I am the gardener of their souls,

surrendered to the Father for their growth.

I believe the Word with them… for them.

We practice them at meal times when we are all together. We recite them in the car even if I have just one with me.  I text them to remind them. They are mostly compliant, although they made me promise not to make them say it in front of anybody. How’d they know I am already making plans for a video? Oh well, I promise. They may think it’s a bit silly why mom persists, but they don’t know.

They do not know how hearing the words come from their mouth, “I love the Lord, I walk by faith, I abide in Christ”, makes my heart well up with joy.

They do not yet fully understand that His Word which goes forth will not return to empty, without accomplishing what He desires.

They do not yet see, as they speak these words seeds and are planted in their hearts, that they will be transformed into His image.

They are not aware, as their voices rise with affirming words, I begin to see them differently, I am seeing them more as God created them.

So I smile big on the inside. We have 70 to memorize this year.

Truths they will wear all the days of their life.

And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates… For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the LORD our God has given us.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 25

You can read here: Affirming Words

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