Now that we are two weeks into reading the Bible in 90 days, I bet some of you are invigorated by all the time in the Word… and many of you are having a tough time managing all the time it takes to do the reading.
At first glance, adding 1 hour a day to your schedule doesn’t seem like that much to add. Adding an hour a day for a week takes a bit of wiggle room. But adding an hour a week for 90 days takes a lot more re-arranging and re-prioritizing.
And for those of you determined to journal your way through, it takes substantially more time and effort.
I am so excited by the sheer volume and enthusiasm of everyone who signed on for the challenge. And I want you to complete the mission.
If you are having trouble, think about when you are reading and take a realistic look at the changes you can make. In order to succeed at this, you will have to make changes through March 31. Speaking from experience, I can say that just adding the reading to your regular schedule will lead to frustration. Something’s gotta give. What will it be for you?
Perhaps trying to block off an entire hour at a time is the challenge. You don’t want to start if you can’t finish, but you don’t have a whole hour when you thought you would. Break the reading up into 2 or three planned reading times and don’t leave it up to ‘chance.’
Maybe you thought you would get up an hour earlier each day and that isn’t happening. Or you are getting tired. Try rising 30 minutes earlier instead, then read 15 minutes later in the day while your kids are reading (or looking at books) and 15 minutes before you go to sleep.
Are you feeling really, really far behind?
Try your best to look at the next few days and see how you can catch up. Staying with the group greatly increases your chances of finishing. And you set out to finish, right? You can.
Take a look at what you need to do to get caught up. Once you know how far back you are, divide the pages by the number of days until the next check in and add those pages to your daily reading schedule. And then budget extra time to accomplish the reading. Don’t assume it is just going to happen.
So where will you find the time you need to finish?
Can you turn over the responsibility of a few household chores for the week? Maybe someone else will take over meal prep for a few meals or manage all the dishes for you as a special treat. Can the kids help more with laundry this week or can you let a little more clutter accumulate until next weekend when you’ll be so energized to put it all away because you’ll be caught up in your Bible reading.
Set aside times on your calendar and stick to them. Don’t wait for reading opportunities to present themselves, make them and ask your family’s support in respecting that time.
Determine what activities your Bible reading can replace. Losing that much sleep will catch up with you before the 90 days are over. What else can you set aside or alter?
Instead of journaling every day, can you just write down or highlight key verses that strike you and reflect on them more once the 90 days are over? I often have to remind myself to lower my standards. This is my fourth time reading through the Bible in 90 days. The first three times I intended to journal my way through it and didn’t. Had I tried that, I may not have finished. Now I know a bit more of what to expect.
Are you checking in with others too much? The goal here is that you will read, attentively, every word of the Bible in 90 days. Our community is important for encouragement, but are you accessing that community too often? Groups that do this program typically meet just once a week for about 2 hours. This group has a check in on Mondays on MomsToolbox and a Twitter party for an hour Monday nights. Many of us are also hopping on Twitter more often.
If you are slipping, try to check in only on Mondays this week, unless you need some extra encouragement. If you are blogging and linking, consider shortening your check in posts to simply say where you are and possibly include a few key verses you’ve come across.
I am having to rein myself in here, as well. Early this Monday I visited every blog linked in the check in post and replied to every comment. As the day went on, though, I found I couldn’t spend that much time on the computer so I had to stop. If I haven’t made it to your post or comment yet, I apologize. I will do my best… After my reading, praying and mom jobs are done.
Take your Bible with you everywhere and read it every chance you get. Lots of ladies in one of the groups I facilitated got a lot of reading done waiting in the carpool line. Where can you add in 5 minutes here and there?
I know it is tough. You are developing a new habit and that takes work. We are at a point in the reading where setting aside the time is becoming more challenging, but I know you can do it. Pray about it and ask God to show you your way. And then follow it and read!
If you need a few more ideas, please see last week’s post, Getting Frustrated Yet?
Just think how much more amazing Easter will be when you have just completed reading the entire Bible a few days before it! Keep your eyes on the prize.
For those of you are up to date with your reading and can offer encouragement, please do.
Please leave a few words of encouragement and tips here in the comments.
If you have more extra time, (and you are caught up) consider clicking through to some of the participating blogs and leaving words of encouragement for your fellow readers in any of their posts about the Bible in 90 Days.
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