Bruce and the Spider: A Tale in Persistence

(To be used as an exercise in placing punctuation.)

     There was once a king of Scotland whose name was Robert Bruce The king of England was at war with him and had led a great army into Scotland to drive him out of the land Six times had Bruce led his brave little army against his foes and six times had his men been beaten At last his army was scattered and he was forced to hide himself in the woods

     One rainy day Bruce lay on the ground under a rude shed He was ready to give up all hope As he lay thinking he saw a spider over his head making ready to weave her web he watched her as she toiled slowly and with great care Six times she tried to throw her frail thread from one beam to another and six times it fell short

     Poor thing said Bruce You too know what it is to fail

     But the spider did not lose hope with the sixth failure With still more care she made ready to try for the seventh time Would she fail again No The thread was carried safely to the beam and fastened
there

     I too will try a seventh time cried Bruce

     He arose a called his men together He told them of his plans and sent them out with messages of cheer to his disheartened people Soon there was an army of brave Scotchmen around him Another battle was fought and the king of England was glad to go back into his own country

     The lesson which the little creature had taught the king was never forgotten

Teaching Your Child English Through an Hymn

A Mighty Fortress is our God

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, 

On earth is not His equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, 

And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;

The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still, 

His kingdom is forever.

First, a vocabulary and spelling lesson:

Have your child find the following words in their 1828 Webster's Dictionary:

(The HUGE book...not a digital facsimile...and, by the way, when you obtain this gem, dear mother, take the time to read through the entire introduction....fascinating!)

1. Fortress:

2. Bulwark:

3. Mortal ills:

4. Prevailing:

5. Confide:

6. Sabaoth:

7. Kindred:

8. Foe:

(You should be playing this song in the background as they are working. Kevin Inafuku's version from his "Love So Amazing" CD is my favorite.) 

You can find it here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-so-amazing/id719245584

Second, a test of comprehension:

Walk your child through each verse explaining what is happening, and what these truths mean to us today, right now, right where we are. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever" should resound through each stanza. 

Ask questions such as, "How is our wonderful God compared to a fortress and why?" "What is the power of the devil as described in this song?" "What, or better yet, Who is the power of God as shown here?" "How powerful is satan?" "How powerful is God?" "According to the Bible, what are we to fear?" (Find verse and chapter using Strong's Concordance.) "What 'one little word' will topple satan?" "What stands now and forever?" 

Third, a time of praise and prayer to the God that is most gracious to speak to us through His Word and through hymns; to the God that provides for us, protects us and fights for us. (Chapter and verse could be found for the latter three.)

Mother dear, listen for God's gentle whispers to your heart during the song service at church or as you are at home with godly music that you have playing, setting the tone and mood of your dwelling. When the chords of a song strike a chord in your heart, pay attention! Take note before the stirring of the waters has ceased. Move quickly to the edge of the pool and step in knowing your healing is about to begin. Pay quick attention and write down what you are sensing in that moment. Find the lyrics and take actual note of where the Spirit is directing. You are a vessel God desires to use to reach your children. His speaking to you is often what you are to speak in turn to them. You are stirred for a reason. Take note. Let not His gentle Spirit pass by without drawing forth all you can from its magnificent depths.