Memorizing vs. Knowing

 Yesterday, I stood beside my mother at a funeral and we sang some of our favorite songs.  (I am not saying that we like sad songs.)  The songs that were sung at the funeral, were enlightening and we were   celebrating the life that the amazing women lived.  The service started out with Amazing Grace.  My mother and I stood side-by-side, and I am not sure about her, but I sang the whole song without a hymnal.  But then I realized that I really do not know what I am singing about.  And then I quickly thought back to my Confirmation years....I was quizzed on if I had memorized the Lord's prayer, Apostles Creed, and a few others...but I now wonder why.  When you recite something from memory are we really listening and hearing what is being said.  So on the next song, Borning Cry, I decided to use a hymnal and read and sing the words instead of just reciting them.  I would like to share the words with you, of Borning Cry....

1. "I was there to hear your borning cry, I'll be there when you are old.  I rejoiced the day you were baptized to see your life unfold.  I was there when you were but a child, with a faith to suit you well;in a blaze of light you wandered off to find where demons dwell." 

2. "When you heard the wonder of the Word, I was there to cheer you on; you were raised to praise the living Lord, to whom you now belong.  If you find someone to share your time and you join your hearts as one, I'll be there to make your verses rhyme from dusk till rising fun."

3. "In the middle ages of your life, not too old, no longer young, I'll be there to guide you through the night, complete what I've begun.  When the evening gently closes in and you shut your weary eyes, I'll be there as I have always been, with just one more surprise."

4. "I was there to hear your borning cry, I'll be there when you are old.  I rejoiced the day you were baptized to see your life unfold."

I absolutely love this song, and when I stood and sang the song, I looked and listened to what I was singing about.  The Lord is always there for us, from the day we were baptized to the time we shut our weary eyes.  This song is a good demonstration to what our Lord does for us.  But thinking even more about memorizing vs knowing, a good example is the Lord's prayer.  As I was saying the Lord's prayer, I decided to read what I was speaking and really speak the words instead of reciting from memory what we remember. I think for me this is a good analogy to relate faith and belief.  Our faith sometimes to fall into just what we have been taught and we tend to fall into just reciting it over and over, but to really have our grow we must know what we believe and help it to grow stronger!  

Dear God, I pray to you that we will help everyone grow stronger in their faith and know what they are saying instead of simply reciting what we say in church and how we live our life for God.  I would like you to continue to watch over all the men and women that are serving our country and protecting us.  I pray to you that you continue to help me pray to you and talk to you about anything and everything in my life.  In your holy name, I praise and Love you Lord Jesus, Amen.