Bible. Time.

So I had read about a new website that was launching this year and thankfully I remembered to look it up again on New years Eve. It was readscripture.org (which is actually connected to a couple other website as well... one of them being The Bible Project which actually has the reading plan on it). After perusing the sites, I found that the plan looked very practical and I immediately knew that I wanted to implement it with the kids, whether it was a part of their school hours or as a family in the evening.

I shared it with the hubs and he was all for it, but asked, "what do we do if we miss a reading?" to which i replied, "we don't". :D

Of course I know that's very impractical to expect a flawlessly executed reading plan. I know it's difficult to maneuver around schedules and activities of SIX people. On the days when our evenings are filled with a commitment, the kids and I make sure to read and pray earlier in the afternoon.

All that to say, it's day 12 and I want to give an update on how it's going. So far we've missed one day. It was because without thinking, three kids were sleeping over at a friends house and I had neglected to think about it early enough since the first kid was gone by noon. We reviewed/skimmed the reading we missed and just picked up where we left off the next day.

Here's what I've learned/observed in the whopping 12 days we've been doing this... (i figured it'd be nice to record my thoughts early on, to compare with my thoughts a few months from now).

1. It takes time. and this is a good thing.
I think most reading plans and devotionals tend to promote that you can get it done in just a matter of minutes. you can get in, get out, and get on with your day. but this causes two problems (for me at least). One, it makes it a whole lot easier to allow the excuse to skip a day to come in with, "Oh it's just a few minutes, i can catch up tomorrow"... but then never do. and two, there's just something so great about actually taking time... i mean actually investing it in the word. I don't actually know how many minutes it takes us, its at least 30-45 (which sounds minuscule when I type it out)... but so far not a single person has complained that it's taken "too long".

2. the kids love it.
We take turns reading chapters (it's about 3 or 4 a night, plus discussing/praying through a psalm). We stop and make fun of silly or hard to pronounce names like "Oholibama" and we make wise cracks and inside jokes about war babies and share crazy thoughts about crazy things that were done back then. but the way i KNOW without a doubt the kids love it (besides a complete lack of moaning and groaning, which i fully expected to hear)... is that every time we pray, someone will say "thank you, Lord, that we got to be together tonight" or "thank you, Lord, that we got to spend time reading together".

3. it messes up our plans. and this is a good thing.
Because it's not just a quick, bible fix... because it's not something you can drive thru on the go, you have to lay aside other plans to make it happen. Too often we want to have our cake and eat it too without much effort. When we go through life kicking and screaming and doing everything possible to hold onto our "american dream" cake, it's really difficult to consider tossing it out for something else when our eyes are so fixed on what we want. but now, i find myself on the other side of the table... we have this veritable feast in our hands, no way do I want to toss it aside for a measly crumb of cake.
see, i dont think God was being a meanie pants when he said you can't serve two masters... he knows how we click, he knows that either we'll invest in ourselves, or we'll invest in the kingdom... there is no "balance" possible between the two. we have allowed our churches and its members to believe the lie that we can live in selfish pursuit and still call ourselves Christians. it doesn't work. all it does is wear you out, stress you out, and burn you out. and I'm afraid it leaves too many families wondering what the heck happened.

4. I really hope we stay consistent because I really am enjoying it as well. 
and if we do royally mess up and get way behind, it'll be ok because we'll demonstrate what it means to press on despite "failure". we'll pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off and keep walking. keep learning. keep reading. keep praying. keep asking questions. keep investing. I'm not afraid of messing up this family reading plan, because i know that my God is faithful to multiply and bless the time we invest in His word.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Personal Vision Statement

I have found that there is a very fine line in making a really long TO-DO list versus setting some goals for the coming year.

sigh.

As I've been thinking and working through my goals for 2016, I realize how valuable it is to really understand the heart of each goal "area"... because as you set your goals and actions to achieve those goals, you are essentially deciding what you want your life to be about for a specific amount of time... and because life brings things we didn't plan for and don't expect, then I find my well thought out and planned to do list flies out the window. Or sometimes unexpected opportunities come along that look really good, but may not be beneficial. Other times there are opportunities that look too scary and risky, but are exactly what we ought to do... and too often we're left wondering what to do. I find that when I've determined what I want my life (or at least the coming year) to be about, then it becomes a lot easier to decide whether to take a new opportunity or let something go. I've approached our homeschooling that way, and it's worked out really well. I don't feel guilty when saying "no" to certain things, and I can fully and confidently embrace the things we say "yes" to.

So I came up with a sort of "Life Statement" for this coming year. I can use it as a standard to ask myself, "Will this [thing, activity, commitment, decision, etc...] help accomplish the goals set forth in my vision statement?" I can also start each day by asking, "what can I do today to take a step closer to living out this statement?"

Sooo, here it is...

Personal Vision Statement: I purpose to invest time, money, energy and other resources toward the following: meeting physical and spiritual needs around the world; meeting immediate and long-term needs in my own community and church body; studying the Word and practicing prayer; creating a healthy, functional and sustainable family home; training the children in character development, spiritual knowledge and academic achievement; nourishing interpersonal relationships with others; and developing my creative skills and expanding my intellectual knowledge.

What do you think? Does it make more sense to you to think about specific detailed goals? or to set up a statement of measure for whatever comes along? or both? or maybe to just fly by the seat of your pants, ha?!? :)

I think that just like a young child starts to ask "why?" when we tell them to do something, it's important to know the "reason" behind our chosen actions. It helps keep us motivated through the tough times, helps us refine our choices along the way, and helps prevent regret from wasted days.