Give Thanks

As part of our school curriculum, the kids memorized a Bible verse for each letter of the alphabet this year. When we finished 'Z', I decided to go back to 'A' and have them tell me all 26 in a row, if they could. It was Elisa's turn to say the 'G' Bible verse.

She hesitated a little, and then said confidently, "Give thanks in all circumcises, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

"Uh, that's 'circumstances', honey."

Further Note on The Golden Rule

My children were quietly painting with watercolor paints while I talked on the phone. The quietness soon erupted into the sounds of conflict and unsupervision.

"What is going on in there?" I yelled.

"Talia and Isaiah are throwing paint at each other!"

I took the paints away, rebuked them both (but especially Isaiah), and was given an excuse. "Mom, Talia started it."

"I don't care. How old are you?"

He held up five fingers for me to see.

"And how old is she?"

Two fingers were held up, and he nodded his head sadly to indicate I was right, it was babyish.

"Do you think you ought to be following the example of a baby?"

He shook his head slowly.

I made him help me wipe up the mess. Still trying to find an angle, he tried again. "But, Mom, the Bible says, 'Do unto others what they--'"

I didn't let him finish. "Nice try. The Bible says, 'Do to others what you would have them do to you,' not, 'Do to others what they have done to you.'"

Do Unto Others

The kids memorize about one Bible verse every week. One of their memory verses is Matthew 7:12 (also known as the Golden Rule). A good paraphrase of it is: Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Sometimes the kids argue over the correct wording of their verses.

Talia said to no one in particular, "Do unto others what you can do to them!"

Elisa, always one to correct and instruct the erring, jumped right in. "No, Talia! It's, 'Do unto others what they have done to you!'"

Not quite what Jesus said.