Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Confessions of a Bible-Reading Bailer

Yep. You read correctly. I have fallen behind in my year-long Bible reading mission.

Shoot!

I did not intend for that to happen. I really don't know what I was thinking when I committed to about 50 million things in the New Year. I got resolution happy.

This is what I signed up for:

  • First Place 4 Health Bible study (Sunday night meeting, 7 day/week lessons)
  • Women's Bible Study at my church (Thursday night meeting, 5 day/week lessons, also agreed to lead a worship segment each week)
  • Commitment to get fit (eating better, planning meals, exercising daily)
  • Commitment to get house in order (weekly cleaning schedule, not going to bed before sinks are clean, etc.)
  • Previous commitment to Wed. night and Sunday pre-church praise team practice and managing music folders for Praise Team
  • Commitment to be a wife and mom (24/7, duh!)
  • Read through Bible in a year (at least 15 min. a day, most days a week)
  • Previous commitment to "direct" a non-profit organization

Okay. You get the idea. Lots and lots of commitments.

I write all of this not to say "Hey! Look at me! I am awesome. I can do all of this stuff and again--I'm awesome."

No. I write this to say "Hey! Look at me! I'm an idiot. No one can do all of this stuff and do it well or completely. I am failing at most of it. What in tarnation (that's a word, trust me) was I thinking?"

Actually, I know what I was thinking. Each of these things on its own seems innocent enough...even admirable. When someone asks you to do something that is admirable and isn't that hard, it seems like you are lazy if you say no. When something like a Bible study comes up you think that you might "look bad" if you don't do it.

Well, let me tell you that I know better than this. It only matters what I "look like" to my creator and right now it's pretty ugly. Because of all the admirable things I am trying to do, I have managed to push aside the one most meaningful thing of all--spending quality time in God's Word.

Oh sure, I've been in there alright. Digging, flipping, snorting through a week's worth of Bible study scripture look up just so my neighbor won't look over at my workbook and see empty pages. But has any of His Word actually penetrated my heart? Not so much.

So it's time to reorder my commitments. Bible reading goes to the top of the list. If I double up for a month I will be back on track. I do not want to miss out on this experience.

Anyone else losing sight of your New Year's resolutions or commitments? It's not too late to reclaim it! Or chuck it, if needed. :0)

8 comments:

  1. Dadgum (yes, its a word in the south) girl!!! You put way too many bricks in your wheelbarrow (okay, Ill stop! lol). I have done the same thing before. When the kids were young and into so many activities, I couldnt say NO and volunteered for so much........and I finally fell apart and had to learn to say NO, NO, NO!!! I have let the most important goal of the year slide and thats my weight. I have got to get back on track...it sounds to me like you have determined what is most important to you and are back on track!!! Good luck!

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  2. Good for you, for getting things back on track!! I have been doing well with my Bible reading, BUT, I get time while the kids nap and before the older ones get home from school. It is so very easy though to get behind!

    Cara

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  3. I never think it's ever too late to pick something up or to change our priorities and I think you'll start to see such change in your life it will bless and amaze you.


    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  4. What matters is that you are getting up and getting back in the boat......we all do this; you're just open enough to realize it and get it back right again. Hang in there...you really DID bite off a lot....small changes work better for me, and only a few baby steps at a time!

    Suzanne

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  5. My resolution was to get rid of all the many pillows on our bed...and I did for about a month, and then surprise, surprise! My husband requested them-he said he actually liked them!
    No more resolutions here to break-although eating/living healthy is just a needed change!
    My take on Bible reading-read so it matters to you-not just to finish...let God speak to you-which I am sure you are doing anyway!
    :)

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  6. I love this post because it is so real and most of us have been there. Heck, some of us live there! I can so remember feeling like showing up at a Bible study with an empty page was like an indictment against me. In fact I still feel like that!

    I'm working my way through the Bible in a year too and guess what? For the first time I'm doing okay with my Bible reading goal but (BUT!) I have fallen about a week behind, too. Thanks for your great reminder that we cannot do it all. Or if we try we won't be able to do it all well and remain sane. Our families need us and we need to make time for them, not one more project or worthwhile activity.

    I'd double up on the readings and just two a day until you're caught up. If you have time, try reading both in the morning and at night and you may be able to catch up faster that way if it's bugging you. I also sometimes read a day ahead which helps when life gets crazy and I don't prioritize properly.

    Blessings to you!

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  7. Tarnation...that was a great post! Heheh...

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  8. Howdy Sweetie
    I am so proud of you ,your not a failure,your simply living life and learning what works and what does not work for you.
    Thomas Edison came up with 10,000 ways not to do something than he tried again and now we have so many wonderful things in our lives thanks to his gumption to get back on that horse and ride again .
    Each of us has a season we are busy living and the cool thing is that God is in the midst of it with us .
    So hang on honey God is busy at work in your life and using your life and your blog to bless many others out here.
    Thank you so much for sharing your life experience with us .
    Blessings of love,joy and peace to you and yours .
    Big Texas hugs
    Happy Trails

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