If I was to say one thing on this entire blog that I would like to convey to my readers as something of such momentous and great importance that they take care to always remember it, the words would be this: Read your Bible every day!!
I know every Sunday school teacher chides us to do this and every preacher brings guilt upon your heart when he asks you to turn to Nehemiah and you can’t for the world find it without referencing the index…but seriously, if you have problems in your life, if you have worries and doubts and general unpleasantness drifting around the catacombs of your body—read your Bible!
This year I started a goal to read the Bible through. Since I know that I would indubitably lose all stamina to finish if I did it chronologically, I am following a chart that has you read in a stratified manner. One day I will read a few chapters from Genesis, then Psalms, the Romans, then Isaiah… it is quite remarkable an order and I find it the highlight of my morning. When you take time to listen to God’s word he really does talk back to you! It strengthens you and encourages you in unimaginable ways. When I am feeling depressed or overwhelmed at work or just in a quiet state of mind, words I have read will flutter back to my remembrance and strengthen me. It happens in so peculiar a manner that it feels like God’s voice drifting into my head. I feel stronger, happier, and best of all I feel inclined to thank the Lord every day. I thank him for letting me stay faithful in my reading, for being able to adjust to my current life, for teaching me life lessons, for bringing beautiful people into my life, and for making me strong enough to help others.
I have never felt like this before until I started reading. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Read your Bible! It will change your life if you let it! I promise.
In other news,
I had the best Valentines day ever…well, the one I had in kindergarten was pretty amazing, doing the whole post office mail carrier thing, but seriously, this was a happy Valentine’s Day. I’ve never really received much attention for this Hallmark card holiday, but this year I was offered a date, given half of a cake, complimented about my appearance several times (which when you are in your grubby work clothes IS quite a compliment!), given a rose by my workplace, and unexpected flowers from a person I care about very much. And the waffles at work were pink. I mean how seriously cool is that?
Speaking of Valentine’s, I have had a revelation. I know everyone else on the planet probably already knew this, but it still slowly is sinking into my brain. Where love should be fun and I definitely think you ought to be wildly attracted to your mate, love, I believe, is more about quiet peace and sacrifice and nobleness and friendship than it is about being a “couple” or doing stereotypical couple things or the wedding or things like that.
To me, real love is about being with a person who you would still love deeply even if you couldn’t be together, if you were just friends, or if all his arms and limps fell off, or something like that. You would still want them in your life because of who they are and who you became when you were around them. And it suddenly wouldn’t matter if they had some annoying trait, or they wanted to live in Africa, or if all their hair fell out and they were bald—none of that would matter because you love the deep, special places in their heart. You love them because they give you a chance to love, a purpose to serve, an example to follow, and a companion on the path to Heaven.
I don’t know why all these reflections have been hitting me lately. But I must admit, I am surprised by them. God has taught me that in my silly little 25 year compendium of knowledge there is so many new feelings and insights to learn about life! God is so amazing, isn’t he?
<3
