By: Berna

Read: Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25, Luke 7:11-35, Psalm 68:19-35, Proverbs 11:29-31

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
(Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

Relate: Growing up, this is what my parents taught me and my brothers. You never really notice when your brain takes in knowledge over the years. You subconsciously take into practice what you have observed around you. I think that’s where I’m at; I’ve taken these ideas of God into my daily life. My belief came from my parents and how they’ve walked with me, guiding me through life. It’s also just common knowledge to treat people with respect, i.e., not committing adultery. 

I remember one time I said, “Oh my God,” and I was shushed for it. I was young, so I really didn’t know why I was told to be quiet. Later my Mom explained it to me, and she said even if you don’t believe in God, respect others around you by not using his name as an expression. Now, as a junior at Faith Academy, I’ve always been careful to use different expressions that respect Him and the people around me. So I guess that shows at least one result of how my parents’ words have affected me. 

React: My initial reaction to this scripture was to be mindful of my actions and words around people, especially children. Even though I don’t have children of my own, naturally, I’m still around a lot of young people who look up to me as an example. Even though I’ve known these commandments, basically, for my whole life, this verse has reminded me about them, and I have put them at the front of my mind.

Respond:

Dear God
Help me to take these commandments to heart, even more so than I already have. Help me to use them to go through my days as a follower of You. And most of all, help me to do my best to show Your love through me and through the gifts You have given me. Help me to not take You for granted by disobeying any of these commandments.
Amen