The Common Place Book for Mom

Earlier in the school year Laura and I read The Sower Series book, George Washington.  In it, we learned how George Washington became fond of copying poems, sayings, and advice that impressed him. By the time he was sixteen, he had hand copied the 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.  He also wrote prayers in a notebook and reread them for strength.

In Heart of Dakota's Preparing Hearts for His Glory, Laura is to keep a Common Place Book.  In this book she slowly builds a collection of Bible verses and literature quotes that she can refer back to later.  Kept in a simple composition notebook, I have watched the contents of this notebook grow.  It reminded me of the notebooks and portfolios we read that George Washington had carried with him.  Charlotte Mason also encouraged, in her writings, the student keeping such a book.  I was impressed with just how amazing a tool this was to guide the heart of my daughter.  It reminds her of the lessons she has learned, both in Bible studies we have done and in great things we have read.  Even if we begin another book next school year, this book is part of a wonderful collection of things we accomplished this year.  The lessons it holds are priceless.

The very nature of writing things down that means something to me has always been my practice.  Usually unorganized and scattered, I would quickly lose track of things I wanted to keep and re-read.  It dawned on me that a Common Place Book is a good idea, and not just for my daughter for school.  It is very personal, putting in Scripture and things that holds deep meaning or that you want to guide your life.  I created one, not out of a composition notebook, but out of a journal.  I wanted my book to be big enough to add lots of things I want to read over and over and to add to as time goes on.  Yet, I wanted it small enough to slide into my purse and carry with me.  Maybe an electronic version would be more compact or hold more, but there's something about writing out these things by hand that makes it even more special. 

I love it!  I keep it by my side when I am doing Bible study and devotions.  Scripture, along with some personal notes, already have filled several pages.   I have some quotes in it from a couple of my favorite Christian authors.  I even added a sermon note that, when I heard it, I knew it was God speaking to me.  It may not contain the same things as my daughter's book, but I have written some of the Scriptures we have gone through and studied together that touched us both in the last few months in our journey with Heart of Dakota.

Sometimes I think when we see something that a child is doing, we assume it is childish.  Reading that George Washington also kept something similar to a Common Place Book changed that opinion in me.  Re-reading, meditating on, and imprinting in my brain and heart all the lessons that I don't want to forget, the things that touched my soul, has made me feel closer to my Savior.  Unlike my daughter's book, I can also put in my book things that my Lord tells me about being a wife and mother.  It's like Jesus is right beside me, reminding me of all the wonderful things He has imparted to me that He doesn't want me to forget.