i know it by heart
When I was young, I often said “I know that by heart.” Phone numbers and time tables. Scripture verses and history facts. Capital cities. My friends’ favorite things. The periodic table of elements. Songs. I knew a lot of things by heart.
If I used the phrase today, it would speak less of facts memorized and more of a perceived sense of knowing. Sometimes I can’t find words for what I know or how I know it or why I feel a certain way. It’s beyond intuition. God’s graced me with discernment.
Some things I just know by heart.
It can be bittersweet at times. When something seems painfully obvious to me and others don’t see it, or when I just know what others deny to be true, it can feel like my discernment is a curse. A weight. But even when it’s heavy, I am grateful for it.
I want my heart to be more in tune with Him tomorrow than it is today. I want to remain sensitive, soft, and open to Him. I want to hear His Spirit’s whispers more clearly. I want to have even greater discernment.
So I’ve started praying the words of the Psalmist—
“I am Your servant; give me discernment that I may understand Your statutes.”
Because there’s a whole lot more I want to know by heart.
“The periodic table of elements”
huh?
seriously, tho…
i love how you totally changed the way i see that statement. you are a brilliant thinker, alece.
Ahhhh … I love this. Love this.
You are awesome! This gives a whole new angle to Matthew 12:35 “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things”.
Without trying to sound self-righteous, in all humility, if you ever know something about me please tell me. Ok? Even if it is painfully honest I want to know. No, I need to know.
This reminds me of your blind spot post.
wow. you remember my blind spot post? that was a very long time ago.
i value your teachable spirit. and if i ever feel something strong on my heart for you, i will tell you.
and i LOVE that passage in matthew. i so want my heart to be “good” and to overflow with good things.
I was also impressed that you ever knew the periodic table BY HEART… wow.
But seriously, discernent is one of the best gifts to ask for.
i’m a little impressed, too. ha!
i wish i could remember things like i used to. hmph.
“I want to hear His Sprit’s whispers even more clearly.” Mmmm, me, too.
Your talking about wanting to be in tune with Him reminds me of something I heard in a sermon I watched online several months ago: “We are instruments of worship to a holy God.” – Ray Hughes, Selah Ministries.
I think there are different ways that God fine-tunes us, whether cleaning out pipes, replacing or tighting our strings. I’m reminded of how much it hurt when I had braces as a kid, and would periodically get the bands tightened. Oh, how that hurt, so much that I couldn’t even eat anything solid for a couple of days. But it was necessary to get my teeth into proper alignment.
Me, too!
hmm. thats a powerful, maybe scary, but wise prayer. you amaze and challenge me every day at g & g
I think I have trouble being quiet enough to hear Him!
Thanks.
This went to my heart.
xoxo,
R
“When something seems painfully obvious to me and others don’t see it, or when I just know what others deny to be true, it can feel like my discernment is a curse. A weight. But even when it’s heavy, I am grateful for it.”
Shew.
I love that you see and know Truth.
i love how when something will happen….something that is beyond our comprehension…and yet we know it by heart that the Lord will never leave nor forsake you…nor will he leave you in a place….
we just know it by heart
Those are incredible beautiful pictures of the Tulips of Seattle. As you write, words can’t adequately describe their beauty. Love is also like that. I can feel the love behind your words, I don’t have to know the meaning of the words themselves.
The one thing I know about understanding it that it usually only comes when you are ready for it. Maybe your brain just has to catch up with your heart.
We should go head to head in a Period Table of Elements tournament.
I’d SCHOOL you.
yes. you would!
9th grade chemistry was a VERY long time ago.
I definitely know what you mean when you said, “something seems painfully obvious to me and others don’t see it.” It’s so hard to know things in my heart and wish that others could know them too. I guess their hearts have to learn just the way my heart learned. I pray that their hearts learn quickly! Thanks for sharing. It made me realize that maybe I need more patience as there are probably many who wish that my heart would learn more quickly as well.
I skipped 9th grade. No, I mean like I never went, not like I am so freaking smart that I skipped a grade, seriously wouldn’t that be cool if it were true?!?!
Anyways, somebody that I really love and trust says ALL THE TIME that we (meaning all believers) need to really focus and practice the spirit of the law, not just the letter of it. It gets me every time I hear it because even though I know they are talking about themselves, it burns deep within me and I am brought to my knees over and over and over.
I totally “get” the knowing certain things by heart. And I’m not talking about phone numbers. ;o)
Wow… I loved all of what you have said… I have enjoyed reading this part about discernment. I used to say this all the time as well and memorized phone numbers and such too. I could never know why or how, but I knew it in my heart as well. I have a very similar story to yours in regards to your loss of marriage. I knew mine was cheating and it was more than once. The last time was with a best friend of eight years. Go figure I knew it was going on then too and they got married three months after we were divorced, but he said all along that nothing was going on. They think we are crazy sometimes and make us to believe that we are, but He will give us discernment in all things if we ask Him. God’s blessing and love upon you throughout your healing process!
i hate that you can relate with this, karyn, but i am so grateful for your comment. there’s strength in knowing i’m not alone, that others have walked this path as well (as horrible as it is).