🤦‍♀️ This topic is in reference to the way my siblings and I would pray before going to bed.

Jubilantly we prayed, “And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us ‘snot’ into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory; forever. Amen! That was our version of Matthew 6:9-13 kjv.

We loved this prayer. Probably because it was a family moment. However, for a while, it was an opportunity for my sister’s and I to kneel between two of the beds. Drape the hanging cover of the bed behind us across our heads and whip our pretend hair back and forth as we prayed. Our little brother with his shaved haircut knelt in our midst. That little bald head was buffed like a shoe being shined. And he endured it like a good soldier. But fortunately, before fiction like sparks began to fly off his head, Dad realized this game and ended the pretend hair praying. It would be years before we stopped praying, “lead us ‘snot’ into temptation.

I was reminded of those days when reading in the Psalms today. Psalms 8:3-5 specifically. I have known times when I referenced the puzzlement of the Angels. GOD help me, I may have even written about it! But as I read, I realized this was not a psalm quoting the Angels. I have read that scripture many times before! Somehow, for some reason, I had concluded that Psalms 8 quoted the Angels in Heaven!

Perhaps it is true somewhere else in the scriptures, but I have not found it yet. I was immediately drawn back to the admonishment; “Study to shew thyself approved unto GOD, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 kjv.

When I read above that verse and immediately below, the necessity of this practice was clearly identified. “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 2 Timothy 2:14, 16-18 kjv.

If I may add to that cautionary note. It will also protect your little brother from bed cover fire damage.

There is a continuity and agelessness about the Word of GOD. I can’t make that claim. So, studying benefits me as well as the hearer. I will be sure to drop the bed covers from my head and stop “snoting’ the Word of GOD while misquoting the Angels. 😊