Matthew (5 years old) and I have been working through his memory verses and just today we saw one of the benefits of memorizing Scriptures.

Our youngest (15 months old) somehow got a small bruise right under her eye yesterday. I didn’t bother finding out where she got the bruise because it was near impossible to get an answer. Plus, she doesn’t seem to be bothered by it so there was no need to pursue the origin of the bruise. However, my brother saw the bruise this morning and asked where she got it. Immediately, Matthew fessed up and said he accidentally hit her with the seatbelt yesterday while getting out of the car. I was rather surprised that he confessed and admitted fault. The very first Scripture we memorized was Proverbs 12:22 about lying.

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight.

We had many instances in the past where lying was an issue which explained why I had Matthew memorize Proverbs 12:22 right off the bat. I was very encouraged that Matthew has internalized Proverbs 12:22 though I know the temptation to lie will prevail again the future. Nevertheless, he understands the verse and tries to abide by it. He was rather happy that his confession was an act of faithfulness and that God was happy with him.  In fact, when I asked him to relate to my husband what happened, he tacked on at the end, “So I was acting faithfully!”

Another example was during lunch time where Matthew decided to help his siblings make lunch. After spreading the cream cheese on the bagel and intending on keeping it for himself, I asked if he would consider his brother first and offer the bagel to him instead. He then asked, “Isn’t that in the memory verses?” After I replied with a “yes,” he graciously gave his bagel to his brother. It was very heartwarming to see him sharing with his brother, especially in light of the constant struggle between the two in sharing. I was surprised that Matthew knew the principle behind my request was in one of his memory verses because we haven’t memorized any verses pertaining to being selfless and giving. Even though he hadn’t memorized all the verses in our little booklet, he had been reading through them. I had to look through his verses and found the following:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. (Proverbs 3:27)

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)

After reading these verses to him, I explained each one and praised him for his selfless act. I could tell he was encouraged. It is my prayer that the Word of God be ingrained in his heart and that he desires to follow God.