As a mom of three young children, I find it very hard to read my Bible. Okay, I'll be honest, I've almost always had a difficult time reading my Bible. I've often found it difficult to "get into". Around Christmas I bought myself a copy of the Message version and i've really enjoyed that. In fact I've had a few nights where I've found it hard to put down. It's a paraphrased version, so not as accurate as some others, but it's like reading a story and I love that.I've been reading a book by Lynn Bowen Walker called "Queen of the Castle" which came highly recommended by a friend of mine (thanks Anita). It has 52 encouraging sections that you read each week for a year. It's basically to inspire moms (or any woman) to get the most out of life. I'll probably quote quite a bit of it here in my blog, or at least ideas that I get from the book.
Last week was on building healthy spiritual habits, of which the most important is reading the bible. She says "spending time reading the Bible is one of the best things we can do for ourselves, even in the midst of the flurry of family life", and that "even if it's only five minutes, or three. Those few minutes can reframe our entire perspective, and give us the nourishment we need to grow strong". I couldn't agree with this quote more. I get so caught up in myself, and my family that I OFTEN lose my perspective on life. It's so interesting to me that when I'm nurturing my relationship with God I almost feel outside of the commotion of life. Like I'm looking at people racing around and worrying about silly things and I feel untouched by it (for a time...I wish it was forever). Undoubtedly I always get sucked back into the whirlwind and forget my anchor.
Some ideas she gave for including scripture in the day include: keeping a Bible on the back of the toilet to read when you're going to the bathroom...maybe even in privacy if you're lucky :); posting index cards around the house with encouraging verses etc. She advises to aim small so that you don't feel like a failure when you don't read as much as you think you should.
I'm going to try to take her advice. I'd love to keep that perspective every day!
Mel
2 comments:
you're welcome!
it sure is a GREAT book
i would totally recommend "the toilet Bible". i've done this for about two years now. like you said, even if it's just a few verses here and there throughout the day, it can really do something for your perspective. going #1=one verse....going #2=a couple verses, or perhaps a whole chapter depending on how fast you are:)
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