Applying Scripture

So I've heard it all my life. . . God's Word "in", God's Ways "out." Scripture "in," Godliness "out." I've read theology books and parenting books and my recent favorite by Younts, Everyday Talk. However, as the busyness of life has prevailed upon me, I have found myself trying to work out my own salvation(and parenting), in my own strength, by my own means. And the result??? Certainly not Godliness! Maybe I should call it "Jillness."
I have been deeply convicted of this, month after month, as I see unGodliness abounding in my children in specific ways that I have modeled to them. So now what?
Back to the beginning! God's Word "in," God's Ways "out!" The children and I have been reading through the Proverbs daily(according to the matching date) and it is truly affecting us! There is so much in the Proverbs for a child to understand that I have waited until they were a little older. (I really didn't want to dive to0 deep into "the adulteress" too early in their young lives . . . ) Everyday I ask Lizzy(5) what we have learned overall-since she can't read along just yet. She will typically reply-be wise, not foolish(Yes! She gets it!). The older two pick out a particular verse each and we discuss how it applies to them or all of us. Frankly, it has been wonderful! If your kids are not near 7 and 9, then I recommend just reading through narratives or Schoolland's Leading Little Ones to God . The continual reminders in Proverbs for "My son, listen to the words of your father, and do not despise the teaching of your mother," is really hitting home with my kids. This is so important to grasp at their age! As they enter the teen years, these words of Solomon will ring in their ears when they would rather listen to themselves or their peers! Scripture is so exciting!!!
Another thing we do is memorize scripture to music by The Harrow Family. The CD's come with my curriculum from Sonlight, and even though they can be a little traditional, we have some great scriptures memorized like all of Psalm 1, Proverbs 1:7 and 15:1 and Deut. 6. For younger kids I definitely recommend Steve Green's Hide 'em In Your Heart or Adornaments which has a brief discussion/background of each verse by well-known Christians.
This particular week we have been discussing 2 Peter 1:5ff, a section I ran across in a few random minutes alone that smacked me right between the eyes:
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I certainly don't want to be ineffective and unproductive!! So what if my laundry is done? So what if my corners are clean and toy-free? So what if all the books are straight up and down? Am I being effective and productive in Godly character? If the Godly character is not being worked on, then the rest is done in vain! However, if we are seeking to build up our character for the glory and honor of Christ, then the rest will follow--perseverance and self-control are on the list afterall!
There is so much to do in life-it is certainly a labor-but I must be sure to be working on the main things first: For God, for my family sake, for my own growth. Memorizing and applying scripture must be top of the list for you and me both to grow in respect to our salvation!
So get out there and memorize with your kids!