I've really enjoyed reading Fiona Buckley's historical mystery series, which goes back to the time of Queen Elizabeth I. I'm currently reading the fourth book and today I ran across an interesting thought. The series heroine, Ursula, credits her tutor for her fantastic memory. She describes how he taught her to memorize poetry and to really look at things when they were out walking, to remember what they had seen. Again and again, this skill aids Ursula in getting herself out of the many troubles she finds herself in.
It came to me, after I read that paragraph, that I wanted to strengthen my children's memory (and my own!) I always thought it would be good for my children to memorize poetry and Scripture but I have not incorporated it into our homeschooling yet. I also would like for them to memorize geography facts, such as the capitals of the States, and know where each State is located on a map. I know there are many other items that are worthy of memorizing. Right now, we are memorizing this prayer, which we say together each morning:
Heavenly Father,
We need Thy hand to guide us,
in the studies we pursue.
And the presence of Thy Spirit,
to illumine all we do.
May the things we learn, so meager,
never lift our hearts in pride.
Till in foolish self-reliance,
we would wander from Thy side.
Let them only bind us close, Lord, to Thee,
in whom we find the very fountain-head
of wisdom, light and life of all mankind.
In Jesus Name, Amen
(from the hymn by John W. Peterson) and with many thanks to Donna, where I first saw this posted!!!
I remember memorizing the Preamble to the Constitution, passages of Romeo and Juliet, and inserting names of States on blank U.S. maps when I was in school. What an accomplishment it was to recall these things from memory! I know that I probably can't quote anything I learned back then word for word now, but I imagine that after a little review it would come back to me. Who can forget John 3:16? And why is it that virtually NO ONE ever does forget it??
Our memory is an awesome gift from God. I should do the hard work of putting it to use, rather than complaining about how terrible it is!
Rejoice!
Marla
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