I received this email from a new Bible in 90 Days grad. Yes, that’s right, she has already finished her reading. But there is much more to her story. Read it and let it wash over you…
Hi Amy,
I never officially signed up for your Bible in 90 Days, but I started reading with the rest of you in January. I didn’t know how well it would go, as I was in my first trimester of pregnancy and have 4 small children, but I had read the Bible in 90 days twice before and knew it was well worth the time and sacrifice of other activities. I also knew God would honor my commitment and give me time to read, I just had to be faithful to use the time He provided.
I did not know that I would soon learn our baby in utero had died, and that I’d be waiting three weeks to miscarry. I also didn’t know the miscarriage (my sixth) would be so incredibly painful as to keep me in bed for the better part of a week. But God knew, and He had prepared beforehand for me to be immersed in His word. In fact, I was so immersed that I got ahead in my reading. Way ahead. I actually finished the Bible on Day 47!
There was one spectacular day that I read from Daniel to Mark in one sitting. To read through the prophets, and then hit Matthew -bam!- with genealogy and OT history and prophecies that I had JUST READ – there is no substitute for appreciating how Jesus fulfilled all prophecies, and was the culmination of God’s plans for His particular people. I just wanted to encourage you (and your readers, if you wanted to share my story), that
1) You never know what circumstances are coming into your life, where immersion in Scripture will be what God uses to bring you through with more joyful faith and purposeful
sorrow; and2) Hang in there through the less familiar parts of the OT. When you hit the NT in context of the Old, it will bring light to the dim passages that you just had to take on faith that they are important. I trust the Spirit will do likewise for us as we mature in the faith.
Thank you for encouraging moms to be purposeful in our scripture reading. My husband and children knew what I was doing and were supportive of me and excited for me in completing the Bible. And we were all a little sad that it was over, because we had enjoyed the journey so much. My children want me to read it aloud to them next time, which I think would be a great goal, though maybe not achievable in 47 days!
Blessings,
Melissa in Alabama
Mom to 4 girls (7, 6, 4, and 3)
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