A few weeks back, while I was working on the Proverbs 31 Ministry – “When A Woman Says Yes To God” online bible study, we were given a reference to a blog that gave a teaching on Verse Mapping .  Verse Mapping is a unique way to learn scripture by meditating on the Word.  In this blog post, there was also reference to personalizing the scripture verses by crossing out words like “you”, “we”, “whoever”, “them” and write in your name.

This reminded me of something that my mom taught me many years ago.  It was shortly after I was married.  I was just a young bride and for whatever reason (I can’t even begin to remember the reason) I was being particularly snotty one day towards my new husband.

God-inspired I’m sure, but my mom just happened to show up at our home during the midst of my hissy-fit.  Of course, not to let her and dad know that we were argueing… we, or should I say I, dropped whatever it was about.  But my mom had a special gift of knowing when her children were being “stupid” (my word, never hers)

My dad and my new husband disappeared rather quickly.  Mom knew that something was wrong, the tension in the house was palpable.  She didn’t say a word.  She went to my room and brought back my bible.

She turned to 1 Cor 13

She had me read it.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

The she read it to me… only she read it like this…

⁴ ANN (love) is patient, ANN (love) is kind.  Ann (It) does not envy, ANN (it) does not boast, ANN (it) is not proud.  ANN (It) does not dishonor others, ANN (it )is not self-seeking, ANN (it) is not easily angered,  ANN (it) keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ANN (Love) does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ ANN (It) always protects, ANN always trusts, ANN always hopes, ANN always perseveres.

It didn’t take long for my heart to be convicted of my petty behavior and ask my husband for forgiveness.

So many times over the years, me, my sister-in-laws and my many nieces had the chance to sit with my mom and her wisdom.  She was an amazing woman.  Her wisdom was something I will never forget.  It seemed that whatever the situation any of us were going through, her wise words brought clarity and peace.  Just wondering though, I never did ask, but I like to think that my dad shared this similar wisdom with my brothers, nephews and the other men in my family.