NOT Another Resolution

I think that we can all say that we begin each year with the best of intentions to stick to that thing that is not a resolution, but something that we really know we just need to do.  Maybe it is eating healthier, maybe it is doing that exercise, maybe it is calling that family member we always forget to call.  I recently was reminded that I am no different, however, I decided to change it up a bit.

When I met my husband one thing that he had done that I have never done is read the bible from front to back like a novel.  It was amazing when we would go to church and hear how the lessons that Paityn were learning were passage that he had just read (he is working on his second time of reading it.)  Nudge, nudge....

A year and a half has past and I slowly felt this push from God that this is something that I needed to do.  Not because I do not spend time in my bible, but because I am such an avid novel reader, what better book to read from front to back then "The Book."  So, I slowly tucked that away in my mind as a possible thing to start this next year.

On December 1st my Mom, Paityn and I went to a Christmas ladies tea at my mom's church.  We heard an amazing speaker/singer, Damaris Carbaugh.  She took the stage and immediately grabbed every person's attention with her amazing rendition of "Joy to the World."  Anyone who knows me, knows that I live, eat, and breath music.  I am the happiest when the TV is off and I am surrounded in music that makes my foot tap and opens my heart.  To say that Damaris did that is truly an understatement.  She was amazingly talented at sharing her message through both the words she used and the songs she shared.  As we sat there we listened to her speak about her and her husband reading the bible through...nudge,nudge,nudge.  She shared how they began this journey as something that they didn't feel they needed to or should tell others to do.  However, she has changed her mind.... "READ YOUR BIBLES THROUGH LADIES!!"  Nudge, Nudge, Nudge.  I left that day with no doubt what I was going to be doing soon.

The next week passed and I just couldn't get it off of my heart that I was to start this.  Now, as much as I am a open book kind of person I don't know that many know that when I ventured to South Dakota for school it was so that I could become a history teacher.  I love history.  So, I began to research chronological bible reading plans.  I know it is not the front to back logic that I began with,  I decided the history lover in me would appreciate this plan.  Still, I thought this would be a great plan for the New Year. Nudge, Nudge, Nudge....

Ok, so I think you can see where this is going.  I didn't wait to start that reading plan.  I couldn't get it out of my mind that I am not called to begin my New Year with this, but called to bring a joyous ending to the year that God has blessed me with.  I am not quit to a point of saying that everyone needs to do this immediately, but if you have read this and feel at all lead to possibly end your year on this same note, then please take a look at the The YouVersion Chronological Reading Plan

How much of my time in the bible is spent... with Lilly sleeping "in" the Word 

On a side note, there is nothing like hearing my 9 year old walk through the house singing about how Christ could have been born in a mansion and been royalty but he choose the "Way of Love." Thank you, Damaris, for showing me that I think I am not the only one who connects with the Lord through music.