While we did have family vacations, enjoyed regular pool days, and were ‘90s kids who preferred playing outdoors as opposed to staying inside watching TV or playing video games for hours on end (yes, there was once a time when kids playing outdoors was normal instead of staying indoors with technology all day), one summer day, my dad came home from work and called my brother and me into the living room. We weren’t sure what he wanted but as we gathered, he spoke and he said, “From now on before I come from work, I want you both to read your bibles, find a scripture that speaks to you, and write a paper about what you think the scripture means.” We were puzzled. I mean, come on, it was the summer, but my dad’s request wasn’t odd. I was raised in a strong Christian environment, so church every Sunday, bible study every Tuesday evening, extracurricular church activities (choir rehearsal, dance rehearsal, youth retreats, and church garage sales), plus church camp every summer and vacation bible school, were normal things in our household. But extra scripture reading and writing papers wasn’t something I really wanted to spend my time doing.
But when my dad told us to do something, we did it. So, the summer of intentionally diving into scripture began.
I’ve been saved since I was seven, so while I’d already accepted Christ as my savior and loved living for Him, reading scripture, reflecting on what I read, and writing about it was a new experience and one that would ultimately become a regular practice for me. After our papers were written, my brother and I were to share them with my dad at the end of each day. We would giggle at first as we shared, and he listened, but now I can see how he was training us early to know the word, study it, and apply it to our lives. Which has been beneficial to me as a believer to this day.
Whenever I’ve listened to a sermon or have experienced a challenge in my own life, I know where to look for direction and instructions about how I should handle what’s in front of me. And it’s because of what my dad instructed me to do that summer. Proverbs 22:6 reads, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Though I hardly consider myself “old” and have experienced times as a believer when I’ve doubted, struggled, backslid, and made some mistakes, I’ve never been able to stay away from the word too long. I can’t turn from it because I know how hard it is to move through life without it. Regularly reading scripture is something I recommend everyone do, whether saved or not, because I know what can be gained from it. And there’s no reason why you can’t – especially since there are bible apps now! Accessing the word is super convenient.
Though there were times when I felt like my parents and my upbringing seemed “extra,” I appreciate how I was raised because I grew up with a solid foundation of how to be a believer and how to continually connect with Christ through the word. I listened to my parents. I paid attention in church. And I knew where to go and seek wisdom and help as needed. In this season and beyond it, I encourage you to dive into the word.
It just might change your life.