Hello to all of you wonderful people who are still following my site! I have been away for so long, I was afraid some of you might have left… so you can imagine my relief to find I still retained some subscribers! I want to give a few life updates as well. Get comfortable, because it’s story time!
I had big reading plans this year, the most amount of books I’ve endeavored to read in 365 days. At the beginning of the year, I set out to read thirty books. Now that may not sound like much, but I have a busy schedule. So I calculated the amount of time I would need to read this many books in one year and thought, “This is a reasonable goal. Not only will I get to read more books, but I’ll make more blog posts, and maybe even reach more readers!” I was on track to reach my goal, but like the Bible says, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps,” (Proverbs 16:9 KJV) which means I can make all the plans I wish, but if God has a different plan, that will take precedence. So, in March I received the blessing of a promotion! I was not expecting this, and realized I would of course have less reading time now due to the new responsibilities I would be taking on.
But I wasn’t deterred (at first). I still really wanted to reach my goal. But as the year began to pass me by and planned vacations arrived, I looked up from my books and realized summer was almost over. I think it was then that I thought, “Wait, don’t you remember why you like reading? Because it’s fun, you can learn something new, and grow in your walk with Christ.” It was time to reprioritize some things. Most importantly, I wasn’t making enough time to read my Bible and spend quiet time with God. So after prayer and talking things over with my family, I cut my reading goal in half. Not only that, but God has been putting it on my heart to get serious about writing a book. How exciting! I’m endeavoring to write a book all my own!!
Most notably, I challenged myself in a different way by beginning what I call The New Testament Reading Challenge. Since July 24th I have been trying to read two chapters a day beginning in the Book of Matthew, and it will take me up to December 1st to finish the challenge. I came to the realization that my hobbies and other activities of life should never take the place of reading and studying God’s Word and spending time in prayer. In Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill in Acts 17 KJV he says in verse 28, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being.” And Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.“
So now I am less stressed about reaching my reading goal because I’m trusting in the Lord, and I have a new project to complete–however long writing a book will take! And one more thing, as I am writing this post, I am recovering from wisdom teeth surgery. It has been painful, but I’m thankful for the time of rest I’ve enjoyed and for the prayers of friends and family. I am richly blessed, and give God all the glory!
All that to say, goals are great ways to challenge yourself, but it should never take first place in your life. If you’re a believer, that spot belongs to Jesus Christ; and if not, I pray you’ll accept Christ into heart this very moment!
As the last two months of the year are approaching, I hope to write a few more book reviews. Maybe I’ll even write about what I learned after I complete my New Testament Reading Challenge! As the Bible also says in James 4:15, “If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that,” so Lord willing you’ll be reading another post from me soon! Please follow my blog if you would like to read more encouraging, uplifting, and faith-based content. Thank you for stopping by, and happy reading!
Books, Coffee, and Jesus 