# 14 Repeat them

14. Deuteronomy 6:7

Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. —Deuteronomy 6:7

I read an interesting book about the French impressionist Edouard Manet and gained an insight about small blessings like flower blossoms, special moments, and Bible verses. Manet often became dissatisfied with his larger paintings, and he would destroy the canvas by slicing out small scenes with which he was pleased and which seemed good enough to stand by themselves. These small cutouts became masterpieces. A good example is Women at the Races, which is now displayed at the Cincinnati Art Museum. It was originally part of a large painting, but Manet deemed it the only part of the scene worth saving so he cut it out. The smaller painting (about seventeen by thirteen inches) is a wonder in itself.

We love all of the Word of God, but sometimes just a small verse cut from the Bible thrills our hearts. We’re grateful for long volumes of interesting literature, but sometimes just a Scripture phrase can encourage us. Thank God for the miniatures of His grace!

In Deuteronomy 6 we’re told that the most effective “family altars” occur frequently, spontaneously, and naturally through the day as we share these “miniatures” with our children. I remember once when my father pulled me aside to show me a verse in the book of Amos that was fascinating to him. It fascinated me, too.

I know of a mother whose child suffered bad dreams at night. “Let me show you this Bible verse, which has helped me,” she said, opening to Psalm 4:8. The child memorized the verse, and his nighttime fears evaporated.

Dwight Eisenhower once told of a boyhood episode of losing his temper and storming to his room in a rage. After while, his mother came in and showed him Proverbs 16:32: “Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s temper, than capturing a city.” It was a lesson Ike never forgot, which later served him well as supreme Allied commander during World War II and as president of the United States.

Little verses, little truths, little insights, shared spontaneously, memorized in the family circle—this is the most powerful technique we have in raising our children in the fear and nurture of the Lord.

Have you ever noticed this? 

Whatever need or trouble you are in, there is always something to help you in your Bible, if only you go on reading till you come to the word God specially has for you.

 I have noticed this often. Sometimes the special word is in the portion you would naturally read, or in the Psalms for the day, or in Daily Light, or maybe it is somewhere else; but you must go on till you find it, for it is always somewhere. You will know it the moment you come to it, and it will rest your heart. —Amy Carmichael