One thing that I am known for – I read.
After I run in the morning, I grab my first cup of coffee and plop down on the sofa around 5:30 a.m. with a stack of three books, sometimes four.
I start with The Daily Bible® Devotional: A One-Year Journey Through God's Word in Chronological Order. There is always a question at the end. While I read it, I certainly don't "waste my time" answering. No, I move on to –
The Daily Bible®: In Chronological Order, 365 Daily Readings, NIV. My coffee has cooled enough for a few tentative sips. I look ahead to see how long today's reading is. I can manage 3 pages, anything else disheartens me. I was bored the month I read most of the Psalms. I was bored during Isaiah and Proverbs too. I'm not proud; I just like action – prose, a story.
I started reading my chronological Bible on October 23, 2009. This should raise a red flag amongst my friends. It is simply not in my character to start in the middle of anything. There must have been some inner turmoil when I decided not to wait and start at the first of the year.
Now that we are in October, I realize that I'm almost finished. I don't think it is in my best interest to continue. It was definitely an improvement upon not reading my Bible outside of church services and Bible studies and Community Groups and even Small Groups when I attended. But I'm ready for more. I'm in need of more.
My intention is to give this set of two books away to someone else who can use them. If that person is you, please ask. If you know that person, please be the mediator and ask. This Bible will not collect dust at my house.
Back to the third book in my morning ritual. It is always a work of Christian non-fiction. And I always read a chapter a day. Then I allow myself to read my juvenile fiction for the rest of the day when I can find the time.
This habit began sometime in the last year. I friend recommended Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. I ended up buying that book. Another red flag I might add. I don't typically buy books.
Don Miller is like my long lost twin brother. I have since bought all of his books, loving each one more than the last. I even have a signed copy of his Father Fiction that a friend sent to me for my birthday this year. Remember this. It will come up again later.
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one."
Anyway, Don writes the thoughts that many of us have, or have had, but never had the courage or the encouragement to say.
When I ran out of his books, I started looking for more. More recommendations, more suggestions. I've been blessed. I've always had another book waiting in the wings.
But here's my problem. I read these books like I read my juvenile chapter books. Cover to cover. No stopping. I would be overwhelmed. A book with footnotes and reference pages and study guides can be every bit as bad as a web search. Every link taking you further away from where you began.
And so I am not digging deep. I am not meditating. I am not savoring. I am devouring too fast and I've left myself with indigestion.
Now that both of my children are in school, I find myself eating my lunch, standing up, as I make it. I rarely give myself the benefit of even a half hour's rest to enjoy my meal and I certainly don't sit and enjoy a book simultaneously. Instead, I rush from one activity to the next trying to keep busy.
So I will have to establish some order and rules in this life. Just as I will demand that I take a break to eat. Sitting down like a human rather than standing like a beast. I need to set some ground rules for my reading if I am to grow and to mature. And I NEED accountability.
I referred to a friend who sent me a book for my birthday. She is using her blog to hold her accountable. She determined to make her way through her One Year Bible, yes the 365 days, and use a blog to hold her accountable. Although I have never met her, and she lives thousands of miles away, she has blessed me on numerous occasions through prayers, cards, emails and firm correction when I needed it.
So, I have been looking for a way to grow and mature in my relationship with Jesus. And I thought I would try a second and different blog out. Tomorrow I will begin reading a new book – The Life You've Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People by John Ortberg. It has a study guide at the back of the book. My personality demands that I read a chapter a day. My spirit requires that I take it slow. Perhaps this will help me to slow down.
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV)
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