Last month, I cracked open my new Bible and journal and grabbed my favorite colored pens. I was about to embark on a newly launched scripture study for Catholic women and, with all my proper tools in hand, I was ready.
I was also spiritually ready. When I purchased the study journal weeks prior to the scripture study beginning date, I had no idea how in need I was to have my dryness and thirst quenched by the Word.
What I knew was that I desired to read more of the bible, to underline, highlight and memorize the passages, but in recent years my life season hadn’t brought me to much scripture beyond the daily readings. I needed to open those pages and prayerfully read the words while my heart and mind were truly ready to hear them.
God knew that in these weeks, while facing life’s summer chaos and busyness along with other life challenges, I would come to rely on the wisdom of His Word and the insight of the ladies who contributed to writing the journal. Every day I’ve added the short scripture passages, reflections to think upon and the short journal time to my morning prayer. I’m happy that I jumped on a Catholic bandwagon of women who led me to the Consider the Lilies scripture study.
All in His due season, things come to fruition. God knew that this six weeks of reading, praying and journaling would be the balm to my soul, the water to wet the dry earth, the restfulness and encouragement for this summer journey.
I just re-read the ‘Welcome’ page at the beginning of the journal this morning. Let me share a bit of it with you:
‘Maybe this is a hard season in your life-you’re overwhelmed by the burdens weighing you down, the crosses He’s asked you to carry. This study is for you…Or maybe you’re in a sweet spot. Life is really rather good right now. You’re not feeling any particular strain…This study is for you, too….In it, you find the words you need to console a friend, to empathize with the people around you who are suffering…This study makes you a better friend to the woman next to you, to the growing child who aches, to the spouse who despairs….This study is for all of us. We’re all in it together.’
I’ll be sad when these six weeks are over, but I have more confidence in opening up my Bible and finding the right words. I’ll be eager to start the next study set to begin in the fall. I invite you to join me. Maybe you’re looking for a new way to soak in scripture and share the journey with other women. Now may be the time that God has prepared the soil and opened your heart eager for His Word.
Take the next step and explore Take Up & Read whose mission is to “invite women to read, to ponder, and to respond to the word of the Lord”. Hopefully you’ll find yourself encouraged even by reading some of the past daily scriptures from the current study, Consider the Lilies, that I’ve been talking about in this post.
Have you already joined Take Up & Read? How has it blessed you? I’d enjoy hearing from you.
Sarah Heidelberger is a wife and homeschooling mom of five who keeps her days steady with her planning and organizing skills. Read more about her on the “Meet Our Bloggers” page.