My one word for the year is Abide. In January I started looking up scriptures with the word abide to help me have a better understanding of the word. This is the first scripture I read:
“If you abide in me and my words abide in you…
What does it mean to have God’s words abide in me? The moment I asked the question, I remembered my Great Aunt Marie…
Last year Aunt Marie had a stroke. After weeks in the hospital and rehabilitation facility she was recovering quite well. There was only one more hurdle to get over before doctor would release her to go home. She had to count to ten.
Sweet Marie tried day after day to wrap her mind around this once easy task. And day after day here’s what happened:
Nurse: Okay, let’s count to ten.
Aunt Marie: One…love the Lord your God with all you heart and all your mind and all your soul…
When Aunt Marie’s mind wasn’t cooperating the overflow of her heart was God’s word. What a perfect, practical picture of His word abiding in a beautiful heart.
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So instead of just saying: “I want God’s word to abide in me more this year”, I’m setting some measurable goals.
The first is to memorize scripture. This doesn’t come easy for me, so I’m going slow.
Secondly, as I memorize a verse, I’m going to meditate on it, saying each word and drinking in the message. Taking a verse every two or three weeks.
And lastly, I’ll need to practice saying the scripture I’m memorizing until it becomes so familiar that it rolls off my tongue. Over and over during the day to whisper my memory verse. Again, this is why I’m taking it slow.
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Do you set measurable goals to go hand in hand with your one-word ? (If you choose a word for the year)
And if you regularly memorize scripture and have any tips for me I’d so love to hear them.
Sending you lots of love today my friends and as always, if you need prayer shoot me an email (or leave the request in the comments) and I’d be so honored to pray for you.
xo
Julie Garmon says
February 6, 2013 at 8:49 amOh, I love Aunt Marie’s heart!!!
One little thing I do, if I’m struggling with something and a certain Scripture fits, I put it on a postcard and stick it in my bedroom mirror. I’vealso put Scripture cards on the dash of my car too.
Love this post, Robin.
Robin says
February 6, 2013 at 4:42 pmJulie, I’m going to take your advice and write my scripture verses here there and everywhere!
Tom says
February 6, 2013 at 9:46 amOh wow, what a beautiful heart your Aunt Marie has. If you only had to remember one thing, and you do, she has it! Loving the LORD with all of your heart, mind and soul. He will help to write the other verses on the tablets of our hearts. I need to reapply myself to memorization as well and yes I need to set goals(but i have not) to see fruits of boldness this year. Blessings and etchings of His word on the tablet of your heart my friend!
Robin says
February 6, 2013 at 4:41 pmTom, I love this: He will help to write the verses on the tablets of our hearts. What a beautiful way to put it! Thank you Tom-
Gabrielle says
February 6, 2013 at 9:54 amYou are a kind and inspiring soul; enjoyed your post.
Robin says
February 6, 2013 at 4:40 pmGabrielle, thank you honey-sending love xo
Felicia says
February 6, 2013 at 9:55 amWhat a precious sweet aunt you have. “Thy Words have I hidden in my heart.”
Robin says
February 6, 2013 at 4:39 pmFelicia, yes that verse absolutely describes her …xo
Gina says
February 6, 2013 at 1:28 pmAbsolutely love the story about your Aunt Marie. 🙂 I think that memorizing scripture is so important…not that I do it though!! After listening to a Revive Our Hearts Ministry program about memorizing verses I started thinking about it more recently. Now, when I am awake at night (it’s a woman thing :P) I go over them in my mind along with praying. I was actually surprised how many I knew. I think after years of being an Awana Sparks leader I’ve heard their verses so many times that I know many of them. 😉
Robin says
February 6, 2013 at 4:39 pmGina, I love that the verses you memorized years ago are coming back to your memory now! I memorized so much when I was younger but honestly I can’t recall them these days 🙂
I’m going to start using the middle of the night wake-times to recite my verses! Great idea!!! xo
Melissa says
February 6, 2013 at 3:57 pmI’ve used the excuse that I’m too old to memorize scripture for too many years. Late last year, God really spoke to me and reminded me that I can do all thing through Him. As a result, I’m part of Beth Moore’s SSMT (Siesta Scripture Memory Team)& I have committed to memorizing 2 verses a month. I carry my index spiral with me everywhere and go over my memory verses. I have sticky notes on my office monitory, inside my car, everywhere that will remind me my verses. My accountability partners help. I never know when one of them will ask for my verse. I love the way I see God working thru His scriptures!! Thanks for reminding me about the importance of truly abiding in Him.
Robin says
February 6, 2013 at 4:36 pmMelissa, I’ve heard about Beth Moore’s SSMT! I just don’t think I can say it to a partner, except The Husband and I’ve been saying my 1st verse to him 🙂
I love the idea of putting your verse all over to remind you…I’m definitely going to do that ! thanks honey, oh and I use that ‘I’m too old’ excuse too :0
Pinky says
February 6, 2013 at 5:26 pmI would really appreciate some prayers my sweet friend. XO
Robin says
February 6, 2013 at 8:26 pmPinky, I’m praying for you friend.xo
Elaine Arent says
August 1, 2013 at 8:19 amI was just wondering how your “word” for the year is coming? I really love this idea and want to practice it in my life, but I seem to never follow through. Thanks for your inspiration.
Elaine
Robin says
August 3, 2013 at 6:13 amElaine, Ohhhhhh honey! This has been a YEAR! I will update soon, I keep thinking my word Abide was a foreshadowing of how I have to live this year to keep from spiraling into worry! Yes yes yes, let’s talk one-word really soon my friend xxxoxo