My sanity all but depends upon it.
I crave it when it is not contained within my days.
For the first weeks of the Bible in 90 Days reading, I was in a great routine of getting up early and reading…first thing.
Then I decided to switch things around.
And my routine fell apart, taking my consistent reading along with it.
As soon as I caught up, it was time for a trip to Nashville for Blissdom.
I fell behind again…and caught up mid-air on my way home.
But the week following Blissdom was marked with strife as I struggled to recover and get back into a structured routine.
And, yet again, I fell behind in my reading.
It is discouraging to fall behind time and time again.
One thing that I have learned over the years as I have walked with Christ is that He is always there….waiting on me with open arms….whenever I fall behind.
He doesn’t condemn.
He always forgives.
He extends grace and mercy in the midst of my failures.
For that I am ever thankful.
Falling behind is often an inevitable part of the process of growth.
We must decide how we are going to react when the inevitable happens.
Are we going to drown in our sorrows and personal disappointment.
Or are we going to accept the forgiveness, grace and mercy that is freely offered.
Too often I have chosen the former…and in so doing I have denied myself untold blessings.
This time, though, I am determined to choose the latter and cling to God’s abundant grace.
I’m catching up yet again and striving to create the routine that I so crave to carve out time to spend reading and soaking up God’s Word.
Do you crave routine in your day as I do?
How are you doing with your Bible reading, or with your goals for the New Year, especially your spiritual goals?
I would love to be an encouragement to you today.
And if you have fallen behind, or failed to do the thing that you so desire to do, consider choosing to accept God’s forgiveness and gifts of grace and mercy for you today.
Note: This post is being linked to the Bible in 90 Days Check-in Post at Mom’s Toolbox. If you are participating in the Bible in 90 Days Challenge, be sure to visit and check-in as well by commenting or linking to your own post.
Dawn says
I fell behind over the weekend too, and spent most of today playing catch-up for Saturday and Sunday’s reading. I still have 5 pages to read for today’s, but I’ll get that done. The journey is the whole point, so even if we do fall behind, it is the reading that matters, not the date that we finish. (But I will finish on March 30th with everyone else!! 😀 )
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..B90Days: Day 46 =-.
Allean C says
Thanks for your encouraging words, they are a huge blessing to me…:-)
Jenny says
LOVE routine! I do so much better on a routine and so do my kiddos!
I was so disappointed when I fell behind in the Bible in 90 very early on (courtesy of some horrible morning – noon – and night – sickness). Less discouraged when I realized that He doesn’t really care if we read the Bible in 90 days…just that we ARE reading it. I always find it interesting that we (that’s a big, fat me in there!) are sometimes less forgiving of ourselves and others than He is.
Teri Lynne says
You speak to my heart. I’m a list-maker, routine-craver, schedule-follower … and when my life gets out of whack, I find myself wandering, uncertain. How true that the Lord so graciously beckons in that still, small voice to our souls … calling us, “Come to Me.” And as we lay down the burdens of things not done, He gently fills us with peace and calm … and sets the off-kilter heart back to normal.
.-= Teri Lynne´s last blog ..Presidents and Prayer =-.
Adrienne says
I really need to get into a routine so I can accomplish more in a day
.-= Adrienne´s last blog ..Which one is your favorite =-.
LifeAtTheCircus says
I have been there time and again… in fact seems each week I am behind on my homework for Bible Study Fellowship and each week, I think next week I will be more on top of it. And some weeks, I think about just giving up.
Thankful for your post… I sat last night and caught up on my homework. Keep pressing on!
.-= LifeAtTheCircus´s last blog ..I Wanna Dance =-.
Nancy M. says
I’m behind also! I’m almost finished with Psalms. I hope to get caught up in the next couple days. I’m not really into routines, I just go with the flow. Maybe that’s why I’m behind, lol!
.-= Nancy M.´s last blog ..New Camera and More Snow =-.
Amy @ MomsToolbox says
I’m proud of you for sticking with it and spending time with Him. Hang in there and relish the love and forgiveness. 🙂
.-= Amy @ MomsToolbox´s last blog ..Marriage Tool Tuesday: Coming Soon! =-.