Thursday, February 4, 2010

Withdraw Thy Foot

Teacher Hannah had each of us students in school memorize a verse from the Bible each week and required us to recite it on Friday afternoon. Anyone who could do it perfectly would get a small prize. I used to spend lots of time rehearsing and practising to make sure I would get my weekly prize.

One week we had to memorize a verse out of Proverbs. I brought the reference home and Mom helped me find it in the Bible and after she had read it she said something about what a nice verse it was and that we should have it on our wall.

That was all I needed to hear. I got a piece of paper and with a blue permanent marker I carefully copied the verse and tacked it on the wall above the kitchen table. After I was done I read a little more and was intrigued how each verse in Proverbs had it's own little nugget of wisdom and asked Mom if she minds if I find more verses to copy then we could rotate them and not be tired of any of them.

She gave me permission and I set to work to find verses that I especially liked. When Saturday came I happily removed my first verse and tacked up a new one. I noticed Mom and Daddy seemed a little amused at my choice but they didn't say anything.

The next day was our inbetween Sunday and much to our delight Mom's younger brother John Henry and his family came. He was a very special uncle and visits from them were always a treat. We were all having a good time when Mom suggested we all move to the kitchen for snacks and popcorn. As we settled on our chairs and resumed visiting John Henry got to his feet and said, "Well, I think it's time we head for home."

We were all surprised and then Mom noticed that he was reading the verse I had tacked to the wall which read. "Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbors house lest he grow weary of thee and so hate thee." She quickly assured him that we weren't tired of their company and that I had chosen that verse for this weeks motto.

He settled back in his chair and the rest of the afternoon passed swiftly. And once they were heading home Mom suggested that I find another verse that wouldn't risk offending anyone.

42 comments:

  1. Thanks for visiting my blog. :-) Your blog looks to be very interesting! I have always been intrigued by the Amish people since I was a little girl.

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  2. too funny! i love the innocence of youth. and wonderful parents who let you tack that up!

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  3. Funny! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. That's a funny story. You chose a perfectly good verse, but it's understandable that your uncle might have thought it was aimed at him!

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  5. What a great story! I think I'll keep that in mind for my children when they can read and right. I'll let them find verses in Proverbs they like, copy them and post them in the kitchen just as you did! I like that idea.

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  6. Thanks for stopping by--come back anytime!

    Melinda

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  7. Like others said "รด the innocence of youth!" Thanks for sharing this episode with all of us! It's too cute! :)

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  8. What a funny story! And how funny that he interpreted the move to the kitchen as a subtle hint! You know if that had happened in my house I probably would have been clueless about why they suddenly felt the need to head home. It probably would have occurred to me days later and I would have been mortified! Thanks for sharing!

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  9. How funny. :)
    That was one of the first verses I memorized as a Christian. It comes to mind when I think we've been visiting folks a long time.

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  10. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a kind comment. I do hope you will visit again. I loved your story about the Bible verse. I could just picture your uncle ready to leave then.

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  11. Oh too funny!! I wonder if your mom saved any of those? I'm glad the family had a sense of humor about it. I love picturing those verses on the wall, that is so sweet. I've had to withdraw my foot several times - from my mouth!! Have a good weekend ~ ♥

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  12. That's hilarious! And a very good idea of your teacher - having kids learn things like that by heart is the only way to have them carry it around for the rest of their lives (if only in fragments in later years). I'm always surprised how many hymns I know by heart, from years and years of singing them in school and at church. Love from Italy. Louise

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  13. What fun! I wonder if the Holy Spirit directed you to pick that one, just for a laugh?

    I love your perspective on life.

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  14. Oh my goodness that is so funny!! Made me smile:) Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  15. Hi there, my name is Lynn and I hope you don't mind me visiting your blog. I found you through Punkns blog and I have to say I just can't wait when I have time to start reading it from beginning to end, I don't know why but I am in awe of Amish life( I know you said you a former) I would love to go visit that area one day, anyways I hope you dont mind if I follow along, have a good day!!

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  16. Oh, that's too funny! Some folks do wear out their welcome, and that would be a handy verse to hang before they come a'visiting. lol

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  17. That's funny!!! No wonder your parents got a little amused with your choices.

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  18. Great little story, your poor Mom, having to explain her way out of that one! Thanks for visiting, I'll add you to my reading list.

    Take care.

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  19. Thank you for visiting my blog, too. I've read back through many of your posts and am fascinated with them! I'll definitely be back and hope to see you back at my place often too!

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  20. oh my goodness, lol. I think I'm going to enjoy reading your blog! I'm glad you found me!

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  21. I love love love the name of your blog. It says it all! Thanks for coming by my blog and when I get back from my break I look forward to coming here to visit.........

    Be blessed
    Denise

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  22. I love love love the name of your blog. It says it all! Thanks for coming by my blog and when I get back from my break I look forward to coming here to visit.........

    Be blessed
    Denise

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  23. What a great post. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Come back to visit anytime. Take care, Susan.

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  24. Nice to meet you. I think I will really enjoy following your blog and your sweet stories. Thanks for stopping by.
    Fondly,
    Joanne

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  25. What an amusing story. I'm glad you uncle settled back down. Do you still remember some of the verses you memorized back then? I remember those better than the one's I memorize today.

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  26. When I was a little girl I told my mom that our male dog must have morning sickness because he was getting old and had a hard time in the morning. Of course we had company at the time. Mom turned red and when the company left she explained what morning sickness was. Boy was I embarrased.
    Kids are so funny.

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  27. You were an industrious little girl. I'm sure you challenged you parents more than once.

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  28. LOL!! This is so funny. Your uncle certainly should have known it was not meant for him. I wonder if he was just kidding you?
    Thanks for the funny story.

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  29. Very funny and very sweet.

    Love to you
    Kelly
    http://www.amazingsalvation.com

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  30. Thank you! I needed to laugh this morning!

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  31. That is too funny! I remember the days of memorizing bible verses.
    Thanks for stopping by! I always enjoy company ;)
    <><

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  32. I enjoyed looking over your blog
    God bless you

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  33. Thank you for the belly laugh! And thank you for visiting my blog.

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  34. Thanks for sharing your memories with us and thanks also for dropping by Beach Vintage.

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  35. That is just the sweetest and funniest story! How innocent:)

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  36. G'morn sweet friend ~ I can picture him, shuffling internally on 'what should I do' gracefully ... you put a smile on my face with each writing. There is such a great lesson with each writing that you share with us.
    TYSM

    Have a beautiful week.
    Happy Valentine's
    TTFN ~Marydon

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  37. That is a great story! Kids do the funniest things.

    I wish I could remember funny stories about my own childhood like this but I can't so I try to record the funny things my kids do.

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  38. Such a funny story! It sounds like your mother and father were very kind, patient parents.

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