In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1
I don’t know about you, but the pile of books on my nightstand grows regularly. I’ve got a summer reading list as long as my boys’ Christmas list.
I never liked to read as a child or even as a young adult, just ask my 7th grade English teacher. Even when I’m truly enjoying a good book, it makes me sleepy. Possibly because the only time I read is after I’ve finished all the things on my to-do list for the day, sometime after bedtime.
Lately however, I’ve found reading very enjoyable and relaxing. Between my nightstand and Kindle account you will find everything from Jane Austin novels to travel books to the Sweet and Simple Moments with God to the book for our neighborhood book club. Often something will stir my memory to a book that I have on my bookshelf and never read, so I add that to the list of literature I’m hoping to read. I agree with Lemony Snicket, “It is likely I will die next to a pile of things I was meaning to read.”
I’m bad about starting one book before I finish another one and so I am simultaneously reading, well, too many books at the same time. Eventually I will finish them all, but it takes me a while.
One book that I can’t live without is my Bible. I might be entertained by other reads, but the Bible is truly a life source to me. It is the Bread of Life. I’ve got my favorite one with the worn out cover, my new one that I bought so that I could get my old one re-covered, and the Bible App on my phone. Sweet Monday’s founder Kim Newlen spurred me on to reading my Bible every day. She used her One Year™ Bible that she had torn pages out of so that if she travelled she could take the Word with her without the weight.
In our day and age we have the Bible at our fingertips, literally. Our access to God’s Word is so readily available and yet, there are still days I struggle to get into it. Sometimes it’s that one of my little boys woke up way before I did and that quiet 15 minutes I try to have with the Lord just didn’t happen. Other times my dreams are just so sweet I struggle to get myself out of bed. Then there are those other times when all goes right and I’m sitting in my comfy chair with my Bible open and yet I can’t seem to truly connect. I wonder if any other women share these same struggles?
I’m still learning how to meditate on God’s Word every day and diet on His Bread of Life without my routine making it stale or getting indigestion from trying to gulp it down in the hurriedness of life. Sometimes I just need a little encouragement from others, sharing what they are reading or about what they have heard from the Lord. From my own needs, I want to cheer you on sister, not to give up consuming the Word daily – especially this summer!
By now many of us have thrown our typical routine out the window at least until the school year starts again. Even if your kids are grown, many Bible studies and small groups change up their schedules because, well, everyone else has.
I got so excited the other day when I heard about a blog called shereadstruth.com. It’s women reading and sharing truth from God’s Word together every day and it’s available online to anyone. They’ve even made it so easy that you only have to click on the scripture reference and the exact passage opens up for you to read! When you’re done there’s a place to leave a comment or post a question. What a great way to feel connected with other women through God’s Word! There is even an app for it. Let that whet your appetite for a generous helping of the living Bread and Water!
Let’s encourage one another, spur one another on and together seek the One who was, who is, and always will be the Word.
Whatever you have piled up to read this summer, I pray that you will make time to open up the Word that is life-giving every day in whatever form fits your lifestyle. We would love to hear all about your summer reading, too. Please share with us how you read God’s Word every day and the other books you have piled up waiting to be finished. You never know who it might encourage and spur on.
To the One whose words have the power to transform our lives.