Back in the day, I used to copy scripture in a notebook.  To me, there is something so satisfying about going through the physical process of writing it out on a piece of paper.  I felt a deeper connection to the words as I paid close attention to spelling, word meaning, and word order.  I can't imagine the number of times I have caught myself reading on autopilot.  Reading the words, but not really thinking about what I was reading.  Then I have to make myself go back and try again.  It's not always easy to focus when we want!  I came across a quote when thinking about getting started copying Scripture again that says, "Thoughts disentangle themselves when passing over the lips and through the finger tips."   We are able to learn and figure things out when we talk it out or write it out.

By the time our Suburban was blessedly full, I just didn't have time to sit down and copy it the way I had been.   Back then, I was more of an all-or-nothing person than I am now and I thought that if I didn't have time to do it the way I always had done it, then I couldn't do it.  What a shame!  I missed long years of copying the scriptures because of that.  I had been copying complete chapters two or three times each week, and recently decided that I really wanted to get back to that even though the days are still full, but a chapter at a time still seems like too much for my schedule.  What to do?  How to do it?  I was really making it too hard for myself.  The new "not all-or-nothing" mama decided that two or three verses, two or three times a week would be enough.  

I know.  I sound ridiculous.  I am a recovering Type A.  I now consider myself a Type A with Type B tendencies.  Most Type A's would probably say, "Then you're not a true Type A."  Those people are so all-or-nothing.

I am a pen and paper kind of gal.  I have seen those who are more artistically gifted produce some beautiful handwritten scripture.  All the markers, colored pencils, pretty paper and leather journals look like so much fun!  I cannot make my handwritten scripture look like theirs even through I would love to do so!  Not only am I not gifted in this way, it would also take longer to copy the two or three verses I want to copy by trying to make it pretty, and it would turn into what would feel like a burden of time.  I love looking at what those artsy people do with the Word, but it is not for me.  I like to keep things simple and more doable for me. 

So I grabbed my favorite Sharpie pen and a composition notebook and started to work.  I started with the Gospel of John.  I have a Bible that has written notes for the Scripture and have been including some of the notes for the verses that I copy.  Another thing I am doing while copying is being very deliberately careful with my handwriting because it makes me slow down and really think about the words that I'm writing.  I write in my very best cursive.  And that's it!  There is no need to make it a bigger process, unless you are one of those artsy types that find joy in getting fancy with it.  The goal is handwritten intimacy with the Word in whatever form that takes for you.

Love,

Becca

I use John MacArthur's Study Bible iPhone App.  It is also available on Android.