Rainbow Words

By Desiree Glass

The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.—Psalm 145:13

I call it a “brain ingrain”—a repetitive activity to teach a lesson, that is.  I’m not sure what Jacob’s teacher calls it, but she certainly implements it with her pupils.  Her daily homework assignments include a spelling activity designed to ingrain proper spelling of designated words.  Once a week I assist my 7 year-old nephew with his homework.  He can choose from an array of spelling activities, like writing each word three times or writing each word in a sentence.  But most often he chooses rainbow words, in which he must write each word in pencil and then trace it three times using three different colored pencils.  Sometimes he doesn’t feel like doing any of his homework.  I sit next to him.  I encourage him and coax him.  Sometimes I demonstrate the letters.  Other times, when Jacob gets tired and wants to quit, I promise rewards for completion.  Is spending time with me making a difference for Jacob? I wonder.

This morning I thought of rainbow words when I picked up an orange highlighter to cross off my  daily reading “assignment” on my Read-Through-The-Bible-In-A-Year Plan.  I’ve used the same plan several times before—highlighting in yellow and pink and blue, leaving a rainbow of color painted across the tattered sheet.

I must admit that sometimes I don’t feel like reading the Word.  But then that gentle nudge—that coax—compels me to sit a spell and trace His promises.  Other times I sense God’s presence so strongly I know He is upholding me by His righteous right hand.  I know He loves me for while I was yet a sinner, He demonstrated His love for me by sending His Son Jesus to die for my sin.  His Word is His love letter to me.  Through its pages, He promises me life in abundant hues. He encourages me to press on—and never quit—for great will be my reward.

Have I received a brain ingrain of God’s word?  I’m getting there.  Like Jacob learning his spelling words, I’m learning Scripture and committing some to memory.  Others, I still need to review.

Yes, my morning routine of spending time with the Master Teacher is making a difference.  I’m learning the promises spelled out in His Word.  And I know that He is the ultimate promise-keeper.  He set His rainbow in the clouds to remind me.  Now that’s love.  Spelled L-O-V-E on a spelling test, but G-O-D in my heart.

Related verses:  John 10:10, Isaiah 41:10, Romans 5:8, Philippians 3:14, Galatians 6:9, 1 John 4:16