I’ve been whacking away on a review sheet for the upcoming final I’ll be giving my ninth-grade students, and it struck me that I could use some review as well. Who couldn’t? The Christian life requires constant review of the truths and promises of God; otherwise we forget His goodness to us, and this invariably leads to some slip up or fall.
Whenever my husband and I travel for a speaking event, I always come back refreshed. Not only do we have the opportunity to hear other speakers, but we have to prepare and deliver our own. My talk will usually be a new arrangement of much of the same material I have spoken on before, but it is stimulating for me to review and rearrange. I always sit in on my husband’s talks, and they may be covering material that I have heard him address many times before. But it is always a blessing to go over it again and to hear it again. Why? Because it is not simply information; it is food.
It’s always good to be reminded again of the basics: things like confess your sins, respect your husband, love your kids, etc. Paul said he didn’t mind going over the same material again, and that it was good for the hearers (Philippians 3:1). But the reason it’s good to be reminded is because it is nourishing. When I hear a talk about basic Christian living, I may not actually learn anything startlingly new (though it may be framed in a new way), but I am edified and built up because I am being fed. When I sit down to dinner, it may not be a new recipe, but it nourishes me all the same.
So if we skip out on the review sessions (I’ve heard all this before….), it is no wonder we are not prepared when the test comes (and it always does come). Without review we get weak and even foolish. And of course there are applications of this principle for mothers. Little kids need review, review, review. It would be nice if we could just tell them the rule once: “Be nice to your sister. No hitting.” But they need to hear it said lovingly (and sternly) many times a day, year after year, just like we do. And they are not the only ones who are slow learners!
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So true!!
And speaking about reviews…Have you ever thought of helping us “review” our role as moms, and wives here? What about a “reading together” adventure here of one of your books, or maybe one of another godly woman from old? What do you think?
Blessings.
I second Becky’s suggestion. I am profoundly grateful for you and yours!
Thanks for the morning meal Nancy! 😉
I love the idea of comparing repeated basic Christian teaching to an often-used recipe…perhaps an old family favorite. It doesn’t have to be new to nourish us and gladden our hearts. I’ll probably think about that every time I make mac n’ cheese or strawberry-rhubarb pie. 🙂
Thank you, Mrs. Wilson! What a refreshing post!
I review by picking up Wilson family books. 🙂 Really, I do.
me too, rita!
That is a good reminder, thanks. I am really enjoying your blog.
Speaking of review, I am re-reading “The Fruit Of Her Hands” along with the last few chapters of James Jordan’s book “Through New Eyes.” Blessing upon blessing.
I saw this just today. I have been agonizing about whether my husband and I have been wisely handling an ongoing difficult situation in our family. (Yes, I recognize sin on several fronts right there.) When I’m in the car, my brain is free to really work it.
Today, in the midst of such an exercise, our seven-year-old asked, “What’s that song we sing at church?”
“Can you narrow that down?” I ask.
“The one that’s in Master and Commander.”
So I started singing Psalm 63 and got to this line: “In You my soul is satisfied.” I was so convicted; my soul wants things to be well in my family to be satisfied.
A little later,Judy Rogers sang, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.” How many hundreds of times have I heard / read / sung / said that verse! Yet it spoke just to my current situation.
Funny, I have been listening to your husband’s sermon series on marriage for the third (fourth?) time, and every time I am blessed in a new way.
We have started a couple of family vacations playing those recorded messages in the car, and I know that the review of material we have heard before lays a great foundation for a more peaceful time together.
Wonderful wisdom once again, Nancy. A huge thank you to you and Doug for patiently reviewing over and over and over for us.
You are blessings!