Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6 NIV)
I memorized the King James Version of the Bible as a child and have kept it hidden in my heart all these years.
Last Sunday on my way into service, I grabbed a Bible from the church library without any thought as to the translation. When I began reading from Jude for the benediction, I hesitated over the wording in the verse that spoke of God keeping us from stumbling. I had expected to see: “To Him who is able to keep us from falling.”
When I was finished with the service, my youngest daughter looked at me and said, “I thought it was falling, not stumbling.” At that moment I realized two things: The Bible is important to her, and she was actually listening all these years to the teachings of God’s word.
We had a long conversation about this and concluded that she had also hidden the words in her heart as well. She argued that if she stumbles, she is able to get up, but if she falls, she wants God’s hand to support her and pick her up.
We should never underestimate the words that we speak to our children. Praise God! They remember. We hear a lot of bad news about young people, but I thought this was really good news that I wanted to share.
When we least expect it, our children will remind us of the things they have learned. If you ever think that your words don’t matter, pray and ask God to remind you of this. I was taken by surprise by my daughter’s question, but it was a pleasant surprise. Now I pray she will be just as courageous with her friends and fellow students when they say things that are unfamiliar to her.
Pray that God will help us all to rely on his word. Whatever version of the Bible blesses you and helps you to hear God’s voice is the one for you. As we pray, God will lead us into all truth. God’s word is holy.
God bless you!
