Necessary Roughness

This morning NR Wife was suffering from a nasty headache, so we stayed home. We weren’t idle, as the older twin and I sang Matins this morning at the piano. She has the beginning memorized all up to the Venite (Psalm 95:1-7). I need to memorize it better myself so that I can focus on playing; otherwise, I’m too slow. Also, it seems that while I can do a lot of things half-asleep, playing isn’t one of them.

For the scripture reading, I expanded on the memory verse they had to recite for Upward Basketball, 2 Cor. 5:17. I expanded the scope to include vv. 18-19. What does it mean to be a new creation? (We are free to do what God wants.) How did Jesus make us this way? (He died on the cross.) How do we know we are a new creation? (We are baptized and believe what God says.)

The other daughter is showing some cool skills, reading by memorizing whole words. Her preschool has already taught her the Pledge of Allegiance and “God Bless America.” She prefers to do both with her sister, which is cool. When I heard she could do this, I focused a little more on the Lord’s Prayer, showing the words to her in my hymnal. Mom says the Lord’s Prayer to her each evening, and she knows how to fold her hands.

We are able to do this much. I have to lead her with what is in standard type…what she finishes with is emphasized:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;
give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

46% is not bad. That forgive line is hard. We’ll get it, though. Big sister will help.