Well, hello there, friends!
It’s always such a treat to get to actively touch base with you after a long plan – to kind of reflect on our time as a whole together, to look ahead, to look around at what God might be calling us to after having our heads down in a season of prayer and study. We have a little weekend break ahead of us to catch-up/wrap-up James, and if we’re already finished – to get our hands dirty doing the good work of living what we have learned!
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Can we spend a little time today just being real together? (I mean, not that we’re not real together all the time – but doesn’t it sometimes take a natural break in routine to sort of look each other in the eyes and do a heart check?)
So… how are your hearts?
I mean really. Where are you? How are you?
Me? I’ve found myself caught up a lot in life lately.
Our family has experienced some sadness this past month. My heart has been heavy and achey.
I’ve done a lot of traveling this fall – fun things, but very real routine-breakers.
We’re in our first semester of our first year of homeschooling our 7-year-old. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed and overbooked.
It’s dark outside super early (like before 5:00!) and it’s throwing me off and making me feel unproductive. (I know that doesn’t sound like a heart thing, but it is when it means I want to put off Jesus time in favor of my heated blanket and the television.)
That’s how my heart is right now. Even as one of the leaders of this God-given ministry, I need a restart sometimes. I imagine I’m not alone.
And truly? That’s why we keep our plans as short as they are – or break up the longer ones into sections. We like to give lots of restarts – lots of grace! SheReadsTruth began as a handful of women wanting to read the Bible together every day – wanting direction and accountability – and that’s what we always want to be not just for y’all, but for us, too!
So tell me – what is throwing you? And what is buoying you? Has this been a season of faithful study, or are you in need of a restart as much as I am?
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And speaking of fresh starts, we have such a great schedule of plans coming through the end of 2013, and we’re really, truly geeked about it! Can I give you the rundown?
- Next Monday, November 11, we’ll start a happy little 5-day plan simply titled “Five Favorites“. As writers (who are also readers!), we sat down together and picked five of our favorite days from the past year to create a little “best of” plan to revisit some of the days we think are absolutely worth going back through. This plan is short, but powerful. We’re excited to see you there!
- Following that, on Monday, November 18th we’ll start a plan titled “Give Thanks In All Circumstances“. You guys. I mean, we’ll tell you more about it later, but it’s one of my favorites yet. Also, we’re doing a brand new thing with this plan – to give an added layer of worship to the Thanksgiving season, each day will be paired with a hymn. Again, more details soon, but it’s really going to be special.
- And of course, following Thanksgiving is a new Advent plan. That’s what we’re writing now and I won’t say anything else about that one for now since we’re still puzzling pieces and praying over what The Lord has for us to write.
And, WHOOSH! That’s what’s ahead to round out 2013.
Girls, we really (but really!) care about you. Like sometimes (lots of times) we get weepy when we think about you and your struggles and joy and pain and crazy passion for our Father. I know it’s smushy to say, but y’all are loved and cared and prayed for by four little writer girls spread all across this country. We’re thankful for you!
Blessings, y’all. Grace and peace and mercy be with you on this Fall Friday.
xoxo,
Raechel
Hi ladies. I have been doing “She Reads Truth” since last year. How every this is the first time I have come to the conversation side. Reading the description of what is ahead for the rest if the year makes me very happy. I am super excited about the new study plan. I would like to thank you writer ladies for the dedication in this study program. Thank you from a very new disciple of Jesus Christ. Saved by grace in January 2013 and baptized June 29, 2013. Again, thank you for my lifeline in this life. Love to you all, Hope Williams.
Thank you so much for these studies. As a stay-at-home mom with young children, I love how the plans are so manageable, yet full of content to meditate upon and grow. Love the comments too. They always add more content to think and pray about.
Grateful!!!!
This is my first day joining. I recently finished the plan to read through the bible in a year and I have struggled to find the right study for my since the plan ended. My heart has been going under some major surgery the past few months. I have been working through the lesson of self-discipline. Honestly… it sucks and I am far from perfecting it but I know I have come a long way. I am learning the importance of taking care of my body (physical health and wellness) and my heart (continual constant time with God). It has not been a season of fun nor full of life, but it has been a very important season for me with growth. I'm ready for it to be over – or maybe I should say lessen – but I don't think it will ever be over for me. I am being reminded through this season that life is a journey and I will never be able to reach the destination (pure holiness) while here on earth.
My comment got only 1/2. It has been a challenge for me & a culture shock to be around non believers all day. My heart breaks for them because the do not know the truth, and seeing how they make decisions on what only feels right to them. It is said to see how satan can cripple a family from individuals who make decisions on what just feels "right" to them or their "gut". I struggle to be loving when the ones I work with are not. I work hard to keep my thoughts on Him when the language used around me does not glorify or build up anyone. However I know without a shadow if a doubt God has placed me here. So I focus on loving others and living out my faith while being watched & observed by others who know about my faith & are unsure what it means.
I can not begin to tell you how excited I am to the upcoming/rest of the year studying Gods word with all of you!
thanks for the refresh and reflect time! And the peek into the journey to come for the rest of 2013. I admit I have always tried to be faithful in my devotional time with the Lord, but have often gotten “too busy” or distracted with life. But SRT has the added benefit of hearing others take on things that helps keep me wanting to stay on track. Thanks for all the time, effort and insight y’all put into leading us thru our studies! God Bless and thank you again!
Thank y'all for All you do! God works & speaks through y'all's writing. I am in a season of being worked on. After being a stay at home mom for 16 years I have re entered the work place around non Christian. It has been an all day challenge for me to be loving
I am so thankful for the “she reads truth” community. I’ve been here since early summer and can’t tell you what a blessing this has been.
I have a heavy load in my heart. My husband is living in Texas and I live in Florida. We are going through a financial struggle, causing us to temporaraly be apart until my husband gets situated so that we can reunite as a family should be. Please pray for us. Thank you Lord for all your Blessings