Deuteronomy 6:5-7  “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” (NLT)

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“If you have to relearn it, did you really learn it the first time?” 

After I had completed teaching a particular lesson in a retreat setting, one of the attendees asked this question. I confess, he caught me off guard. No quick and satisfying retort sprung to my mind. In fact, I have pondered his question over and over for the last decade. 

Our junior high football coach taught us what to do on each of our offensive plays. He would have each of us do what he said until he was satisfied that we understood our role. Then, he would have us come together and run the play as a unit. 

He would drill us in this manner for what seemed like hours. When we finally began to get in sync, he would lean in and “encourage” us to do it perfectly. Then he would “exhort” us to do it perfectly “one more time.” 

Once upon a time, I thought “one more time” meant ONE more time. 

We learned what we were supposed to do. We learned how to do it together. We learned how to do it perfectly. Then we learned how to do it perfectly together “one more time.” 

This memory and reflection finally provide the answer I needed that day when asked about learning and relearning. Yes, you can learn something the first time, and relearn it, and still call it learning. 

Years ago, I learned to swim laps at the health club where we were members. A patient young woman taught a small class of aging males how to swim in such a manner that we could maximize our abilities and enhance our health. There was one crazy guy who wore a snorkel and mask. I could not figure out what he was doing until a couple of months ago,

Those of us who have undergone neck and back surgery have more of a challenge when it comes to swimming laps. Necks and backs that are bolted tother with titanium rods, plates, and screws find it more difficult to turn our heads for the breathing portion of lap swimming. So, if you go to my Amazon Wish List, you will see a swimmer’s snorkel. One of these days, when my left shoulder is repaired, I plan to purchase that snorkel and hop back into the pool.

Learning never ends. Some lessons require repetition not only until we master a matter but also to maintain mastery. 

My bride and I took golf lessons a few years ago before the neck, right shoulder, and back surgeries. We got good at hitting the ball straight. We had a good time going to the driving range and learning together. If I ever swing a golf club again, I will have to start from the beginning again. I learned how to do it then, and I will have to relearn it again. 

You can tell a child something once, and if it is sticky enough, it will be remembered forever. However, if you want a child to learn something important, you must say it repeatedly, demonstrate it continually, and reward it appropriately. 

The best lessons are learned on repeat. They are best learned early in the day, all along the way, and as time for rest places our minds at bay. 

These verses from Deuteronomy are so very important for everyone, and especially for parents, grandparents, and children of all ages. Notice how learning begins from a place of deep love and continues over a lifetime. One of the most loving things we can do is become lifelong learners and teachers. 

My first-grade teacher, Miss Allen, loved me. She set me up to love learning because she provided a loving atmosphere in her classroom. I’ll always be grateful for her patience and kindness, and her strong perfume, which I got to know so well that I remember it to this day because of the way she hugged me so tightly so often. 

What do you need to learn today? 

What do you need to relearn? 

What do you need to master through perfect repetition?

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I will learn and relearn every day.

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Our Father, give me a heart and mind attuned and entwined for learning, relearning, and achieving mastery. Teach me as often as you need to do so lessons I still need to learn and relearn, along with the best next steps toward mastery in the areas where you want to use the abilities you have given me to honor you and serve others. Amen.