Moments Etched On My Heart

Barbara L’Italien, Guest Writer

TODAY’S TREASURE

For more context, read: Numbers 20:6-12

We was blessed with seven children, and I say that with a heart of gratitude. Our parenting journey began as God gave us our firstborn, a son in 1980. I remember when we had our fourth; he was so small. He came home from the hospital weighing only 5 lbs. 4 oz. I remember his cry; it was so quiet, so precious. He was by far our easiest child to care for as he aged. My husband and I said we must really have this parenting thing down, thinking his personality, character, and gentle demeanor were products of the parenting skills we had acquired after having four children. Then we had our fifth, and we quickly realized we knew very little. The challenges he put us through required grace and patience. I remember people would say to me, “You must have so much patience to raise so many children,” to which I would reply, “No, I don’t, but I am learning what true patience is.”

One of those lessons of learning about patience came through a Women’s Bible Study I attended at my church. I was blessed to be part of this community of women. We spent time together as families and as couples, as well as time studying the Bible together!

During one study I was attending, we were encouraged to spend time reading the Bible and journaling. I remember, as a young Christian, going to a small group and sharing about this passage in Numbers, and the sobering thought that struck me when I read them:

Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord said to Moses, “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

The conviction: There were times I struggled with yelling at my children. It hurt my heart, but it happened, more than I’d like to admit. I felt as though God was telling me that I needed to honor Him as Holy before my children. I was to speak to them in a way that reflected the God who appeared to me, who revealed His truths to me, who is living inside of me, in a way just like when He told Moses to speak to the rock so that He could provide the water needed, and show His power to the Israelites. If I didn’t get a grip on this, if I continued to yell at my children, I would not be honoring God as Holy before them. My behavior will not keep them from coming to a personal relationship with God, but I may miss the blessing of being a part of that journey in their lives. This realization made a difference because I saw a bigger picture of how I needed to honor God with my actions.

Numbers 20:6-12 are verses I will always treasure as a “moment etched on my heart.”

LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT

How thankful we should be for the struggles in our life that teach us lessons with an eternal impact. God loves us too much to leave us without hope of change and maturity in our relationship with Him. The lasting change must be from the inside out! Be vulnerable and honest with God, and commit to “listen” to and apply the teaching of His Word in your life.

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Scripture memory is a good start. Write a Bible verse that helps lead you to a place of change on several 3x5 index cards, put them in obvious places - taped to a kitchen cabinet, bathroom mirror, closet door, etc. - and tuck one in your pocket. Read it, read it, and read it again until you know each word. Pray those words to God, trusting Him to hide the treasure of His promise to you deep in your heart, so you can start to reflect the message of those words in your actions.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.

Contact Sharon with comments or questions at d ailytreasure@markinc.org.

Honor Me as Holy Before Them